Hello to all,
Well, we are on our way tomorrow morning. States, here we come, are you ready for us? Probably not. But we will be there. Our schedule is a bit overwhelming, but it could be lots of fun, too.
Keep praying my leg and foot heal a lot more. It's looking good today, and Dr. Steve was optimistic, so I'm hoping. Still on meds and might be for a while, but that's okay if it helps.
Trying to get all things done on this last day is a bit of a hassle, but we'll muddle through. Our good friends, Kathy and Alice surprised us with supper tonight. They didn't stay to share it, just dropped it off. (Missionaries know what it's like on the last day!)
We are still praying for little Rose Shirley. No more news. Mama was here this afternoon, and there is no change at this time.
Pray for Vero and Abbie while we are gone. This is going to be a very, very difficult time for both of them. Pray the Lord will surround and protect them in all ways. We have prayed a hedge of thorns around them and guardian angels above to keep the enemy at a distance. It's hard to leave when things are so tough.
Well, must finish the last packing and get moving. We'll try to update while we are stateside, even though my laptop died a few days ago. I'm sure we'll find a computer to use.
Have a great day in the Lord, and hopefully we'll see many of you in the near future!!!
Wednesday, April 29, 2009
Friday, April 24, 2009
A difficult update
I sent out an email yesterday that I thought I'd also share on here. I will give a short update at the bottom of some more news.
Greetings,
This update is a hard one for me. First, let me share that at this point, we have no real news on Rose Shirley. Oliane, mama, has been in the hospital with her since she went in well over a week and a half ago. Others have gone up and tried to get her to go and rest, but she will not leave Rose Shirley's side. Consequently, she is not sleeping, and is not in good shape. I don't think any of us would do any different. She simply cannot leave her baby's side. They have put IV's in little Rose, many times. Her hand, her arm, her leg, her foot, her head...and each time, these spots swelled up and they had to remove it. They now have it in her neck and it seems to be doing okay. With the IV in, she does a little better. When they remove it, she fails quickly. She will not eat, she is becoming very lethargic. Please pray for both Rose Shirley and for Oliane. They both need the touch of the Lord at this time.
Second, Vero and Abbie went for their visa appointment. They were refused. She even asked them to call me and check the information out with me. They refused. We had followed every step they told us to take. I sent all the information 2 weeks ahead, like I was told. They could have simply checked with the other offices in the consulate to verify the fact that we do work with them. They would not. I have told them to remove our name from the wardens list. I do not want to work with people who promise on thing and then do another. I also told them, if we weren't Christians, we could have gone the way many others have, and simply paid money on the street and gotten the visa that way. But we wanted everything to be done right and legal. Needless to say, I am VERY upset with the consulate. Now we need to pray and find a way to have Abbie taken care of while we are stateside. This will be a very difficult thing for Vero, since the problems with her husband are so prevalent. Her fear for Abbie is foremost in her mind now. So, please pray for her, for Abbie and for protection for both of them over the next two months.
Third, Dr. Steve was here to check out my leg. He put me on yet another medicine. He is not happy with the way my ankle looks. He said if this medicine doesn't work by Monday, he will put me on another one for something serious. Please pray with me that this med works and clears up the problem. I still am sitting in a chair with my leg up. I can't get anything done this way and it's very frustrating for me. Especially since we have a team here right now. They have been fantastic with all the work they have accomplished. I mean these people are working fools...they are like a whirlwind with all they have already accomplished and they have only worked for 2 days. The dorm is very definitely becoming the "Haiti Hilton". And they have also worked with another mission. This is ten people working like a crew of 30. It is astonishing how quickly and efficiently and awesome they have done things. They have kept Don hopping, and he is so happy doing it. And they have been a blessing to me, too. In amongst their whirlwind work, they have taken time to sit and talk with me. Some of this small team are teens, and wow, what a blessing they are. I praise God for the great homes these kids come from. Their parents must be so proud of such Godly, wonderful children they have raised. (And hey, the adults aren't bad either!!)
Now on the last sad thing to share with you. I received a call from Dick Snook (MFI's president) last night. Yesterday, the founder and inspiration of MFI passed away. Here is part of what Dick wrote last night:
Today, April 23, 2009, Rev. Don Bedlin, the founder of Missionary Flights International, went to be with the Lord that he has served for all of his adult life. Don was 81 years old. Don's wife, Jo, passed away a year ago. Don and Jo have two adult daughters and many grandchildren and great grandchildren. Please pray for the family over the next few days.
So, I have given you a LONG, HARD list of things to pray for. On top of all of this, two missionary women are facing breast cancer. Monica Compere and Myriam Lawson both need your prayers. Although Mike and Myriam have left Haiti, they will still be working in missions, and need our prayers. So, please, keep all of these things on your prayer list and add them to any prayer chain you have.
Our God is able and our God is in charge. We know nothing happens that He does not allow, even when we don't understand things. So, we are grasping His hands and praying He will give us peace.
In His Name and Service,
Don and Karen
This afternoon Vero and Abbie returned home. Vero said the consulate said since I have legal custody of Abbie, I had to be the one to go down for her visa. That was why she was refused, I guess. I have written them and asked for some direction as to what I can do to get this visa. Pray I will get a positive response very soon.
So, for now, God bless you all, and may you walk in the light of His word!!
Greetings,
This update is a hard one for me. First, let me share that at this point, we have no real news on Rose Shirley. Oliane, mama, has been in the hospital with her since she went in well over a week and a half ago. Others have gone up and tried to get her to go and rest, but she will not leave Rose Shirley's side. Consequently, she is not sleeping, and is not in good shape. I don't think any of us would do any different. She simply cannot leave her baby's side. They have put IV's in little Rose, many times. Her hand, her arm, her leg, her foot, her head...and each time, these spots swelled up and they had to remove it. They now have it in her neck and it seems to be doing okay. With the IV in, she does a little better. When they remove it, she fails quickly. She will not eat, she is becoming very lethargic. Please pray for both Rose Shirley and for Oliane. They both need the touch of the Lord at this time.
Second, Vero and Abbie went for their visa appointment. They were refused. She even asked them to call me and check the information out with me. They refused. We had followed every step they told us to take. I sent all the information 2 weeks ahead, like I was told. They could have simply checked with the other offices in the consulate to verify the fact that we do work with them. They would not. I have told them to remove our name from the wardens list. I do not want to work with people who promise on thing and then do another. I also told them, if we weren't Christians, we could have gone the way many others have, and simply paid money on the street and gotten the visa that way. But we wanted everything to be done right and legal. Needless to say, I am VERY upset with the consulate. Now we need to pray and find a way to have Abbie taken care of while we are stateside. This will be a very difficult thing for Vero, since the problems with her husband are so prevalent. Her fear for Abbie is foremost in her mind now. So, please pray for her, for Abbie and for protection for both of them over the next two months.
Third, Dr. Steve was here to check out my leg. He put me on yet another medicine. He is not happy with the way my ankle looks. He said if this medicine doesn't work by Monday, he will put me on another one for something serious. Please pray with me that this med works and clears up the problem. I still am sitting in a chair with my leg up. I can't get anything done this way and it's very frustrating for me. Especially since we have a team here right now. They have been fantastic with all the work they have accomplished. I mean these people are working fools...they are like a whirlwind with all they have already accomplished and they have only worked for 2 days. The dorm is very definitely becoming the "Haiti Hilton". And they have also worked with another mission. This is ten people working like a crew of 30. It is astonishing how quickly and efficiently and awesome they have done things. They have kept Don hopping, and he is so happy doing it. And they have been a blessing to me, too. In amongst their whirlwind work, they have taken time to sit and talk with me. Some of this small team are teens, and wow, what a blessing they are. I praise God for the great homes these kids come from. Their parents must be so proud of such Godly, wonderful children they have raised. (And hey, the adults aren't bad either!!)
Now on the last sad thing to share with you. I received a call from Dick Snook (MFI's president) last night. Yesterday, the founder and inspiration of MFI passed away. Here is part of what Dick wrote last night:
Today, April 23, 2009, Rev. Don Bedlin, the founder of Missionary Flights International, went to be with the Lord that he has served for all of his adult life. Don was 81 years old. Don's wife, Jo, passed away a year ago. Don and Jo have two adult daughters and many grandchildren and great grandchildren. Please pray for the family over the next few days.
So, I have given you a LONG, HARD list of things to pray for. On top of all of this, two missionary women are facing breast cancer. Monica Compere and Myriam Lawson both need your prayers. Although Mike and Myriam have left Haiti, they will still be working in missions, and need our prayers. So, please, keep all of these things on your prayer list and add them to any prayer chain you have.
Our God is able and our God is in charge. We know nothing happens that He does not allow, even when we don't understand things. So, we are grasping His hands and praying He will give us peace.
In His Name and Service,
Don and Karen
This afternoon Vero and Abbie returned home. Vero said the consulate said since I have legal custody of Abbie, I had to be the one to go down for her visa. That was why she was refused, I guess. I have written them and asked for some direction as to what I can do to get this visa. Pray I will get a positive response very soon.
So, for now, God bless you all, and may you walk in the light of His word!!
Sunday, April 19, 2009
A hard and very difficult time...
This is not an easy blog to post. It's been a difficult few weeks, but we wanted to keep everyone updated and let you know how to pray. I am simply going to copy the email I just sent out to our prayer warriors.
Following is a letter describing what went on in the US, concerning all of these struggles for little Rose Shirley. Please keep Carolyn in prayer along with all of us here.
To all of you who have been praying for and inquiring about our little Haitian baby, Rose Shirley, who was born with an enlarged heart, we have sad news. She is terminally ill, and there is nothing the doctors can do for her. She has been in the hospital in Haiti since this past Monday. Her condition is declining daily.
After weeks of emails, phone calls, Internet searching, etc., I had finally found the Rotary International "Gift of Life" program. They accepted Rose Shirley's case, and guaranteed that the Cardiac Center at Joe DiMaggio Children's Hospital in Hollywood, Florida, and their doctors, would provide open heart surgery and treatment free of charge. The hospital was prepared to send their trauma team by jet ambulance down to Haiti to pick her up and bring her to the states. Karen and I had been simultaneously working on obtaining all the papers and documentation necessary to get a visa for her. I was prepared to assume guardianship of, and full financial and physical responsibility for Rose Shirley while she was in the states. Everything was falling into place. I was looking forward to really "loving up" on her like a grandma, and helping her through this.
However, last week, Dr. Kak-Chen Chan, the pediatric cardiologist, and Dr. Richard Perryman, cardiovascular surgeon a the hospital diagnosed Rose Shirley with dilated cardiomyopathy with complications. Dr. Chan was very kind, sympathetic and sincerely apologetic that this was out of their hands, as experienced as they are. He said there was no point in bringing her to the states. I appreciated his straight-forwardness with me and willingness to answer all my questions.
Karen had the difficult task of telling Oliane and Roudley, Rose Shirley's parents, the sad news. I will let her tell you what has happened after that.
Thanks for all of your faithful prayers and concern. Please continue to pray for this family. We worship a mighty God, the Great Physician, who still has the power to heal this broken little heart,
In His Service,
Carolyn Smith
This has been a long, hard struggle. both Carolyn and I have been doing all in our power to get little Rose Shirley to the US for treatment. I think it broke both of our hearts when Carolyn received the final call from the hospital.
The hardest part for me was telling mama that there was no hope for her baby. I have NEVER done something so hard in my life. I had Vero come home from work to be with me when I told her.
The first reaction was shock...then such a hopeless look. That broke my heart as much as having to tell her. I was crying, Vero was crying, but mama didn't. She simply stared at the wall. Haitians tend to hold in their feelings and hide them.
Since that awful day, Oliane has brought Rose Shirley here to see us several times. She is such a sweet baby. The Saturday before Easter she came and Stan was here. I got some great pictures, even though I was sitting in this dumb chair. She was SO responsive. Then on Easter Sunday, she developed a high fever and looked really bad. Monday, they took her to the hospital. She has been there ever since. The doctor did tests and said, no hope. Oliane has been there with her. Many of the EBAC older kids have gone and sat with her. Each day, Little Rose Shirley gets worse. She has a terrible time breathing. She has the fever off and on, often quite high.
We have prayed and prayed for a miracle, for God to heal that little heart and make her whole. But we have come to the conclusion that we need to pray for God's will to be done. Not ours, but His. And if it is to take her home to be with Him, then we pray it will be soon. That little child and mama are both suffering so much. Pray with us that the Lord will step in and either heal her totally, or take her home to be with Him, and then she will be whole.
It's a hard time for all here, so please keep everyone in prayer. Thank you...
Karen
Here are two pictures of our precious Rose Shirley...the first on Saturday before Easter, and then on Easter Sunday. Such a drastic difference.
.jpg)
.jpg)
Following is a letter describing what went on in the US, concerning all of these struggles for little Rose Shirley. Please keep Carolyn in prayer along with all of us here.
To all of you who have been praying for and inquiring about our little Haitian baby, Rose Shirley, who was born with an enlarged heart, we have sad news. She is terminally ill, and there is nothing the doctors can do for her. She has been in the hospital in Haiti since this past Monday. Her condition is declining daily.
After weeks of emails, phone calls, Internet searching, etc., I had finally found the Rotary International "Gift of Life" program. They accepted Rose Shirley's case, and guaranteed that the Cardiac Center at Joe DiMaggio Children's Hospital in Hollywood, Florida, and their doctors, would provide open heart surgery and treatment free of charge. The hospital was prepared to send their trauma team by jet ambulance down to Haiti to pick her up and bring her to the states. Karen and I had been simultaneously working on obtaining all the papers and documentation necessary to get a visa for her. I was prepared to assume guardianship of, and full financial and physical responsibility for Rose Shirley while she was in the states. Everything was falling into place. I was looking forward to really "loving up" on her like a grandma, and helping her through this.
However, last week, Dr. Kak-Chen Chan, the pediatric cardiologist, and Dr. Richard Perryman, cardiovascular surgeon a the hospital diagnosed Rose Shirley with dilated cardiomyopathy with complications. Dr. Chan was very kind, sympathetic and sincerely apologetic that this was out of their hands, as experienced as they are. He said there was no point in bringing her to the states. I appreciated his straight-forwardness with me and willingness to answer all my questions.
Karen had the difficult task of telling Oliane and Roudley, Rose Shirley's parents, the sad news. I will let her tell you what has happened after that.
Thanks for all of your faithful prayers and concern. Please continue to pray for this family. We worship a mighty God, the Great Physician, who still has the power to heal this broken little heart,
In His Service,
Carolyn Smith
This has been a long, hard struggle. both Carolyn and I have been doing all in our power to get little Rose Shirley to the US for treatment. I think it broke both of our hearts when Carolyn received the final call from the hospital.
The hardest part for me was telling mama that there was no hope for her baby. I have NEVER done something so hard in my life. I had Vero come home from work to be with me when I told her.
The first reaction was shock...then such a hopeless look. That broke my heart as much as having to tell her. I was crying, Vero was crying, but mama didn't. She simply stared at the wall. Haitians tend to hold in their feelings and hide them.
Since that awful day, Oliane has brought Rose Shirley here to see us several times. She is such a sweet baby. The Saturday before Easter she came and Stan was here. I got some great pictures, even though I was sitting in this dumb chair. She was SO responsive. Then on Easter Sunday, she developed a high fever and looked really bad. Monday, they took her to the hospital. She has been there ever since. The doctor did tests and said, no hope. Oliane has been there with her. Many of the EBAC older kids have gone and sat with her. Each day, Little Rose Shirley gets worse. She has a terrible time breathing. She has the fever off and on, often quite high.
We have prayed and prayed for a miracle, for God to heal that little heart and make her whole. But we have come to the conclusion that we need to pray for God's will to be done. Not ours, but His. And if it is to take her home to be with Him, then we pray it will be soon. That little child and mama are both suffering so much. Pray with us that the Lord will step in and either heal her totally, or take her home to be with Him, and then she will be whole.
It's a hard time for all here, so please keep everyone in prayer. Thank you...
Karen
Here are two pictures of our precious Rose Shirley...the first on Saturday before Easter, and then on Easter Sunday. Such a drastic difference.
.jpg)
.jpg)
Sunday, April 12, 2009
HAPPY EASTER
HAPPY EASTER!!!
Rejoice in the Risen Lord!! We have a beautiful day here in Haiti, today. Well, as far as I can tell anyway. I had hoped to be able to at least hear part of the sunrise service since it's in the next yard over, but speaker was turned the wrong way. Everyone said it was an excellent service and message. I pray there was a salvation message sent out at all the churches this morning, and that there were ears that heard, and hearts that broke for the Lord. What a great day for those who do not know the Lord to come into His presence and His family.
Doc stopped after service. I'll be down for at least another 2 days, possibly up to 5 days. It's REALLY hard to just sit here when I'm feeling fine. There is so much that needs to be done and here I sit. Oh well...God knows about that.
I hope your Easter is a fantastic day with family and friends and that you are celebrating the risen Savior's victory!! He really DOES live.
Read over the resurrection story and rejoice with all of us for what the Lord has done for each and every one of us. I remember the song, (not sure of the name or the singer) but it says, "While He was on the cross, I was on His mind." WOW...what an awesome thought. And I do praise Him for what He did for ME. I hope you feel the same.
Have a great day in HIM!!!
Rejoice in the Risen Lord!! We have a beautiful day here in Haiti, today. Well, as far as I can tell anyway. I had hoped to be able to at least hear part of the sunrise service since it's in the next yard over, but speaker was turned the wrong way. Everyone said it was an excellent service and message. I pray there was a salvation message sent out at all the churches this morning, and that there were ears that heard, and hearts that broke for the Lord. What a great day for those who do not know the Lord to come into His presence and His family.
Doc stopped after service. I'll be down for at least another 2 days, possibly up to 5 days. It's REALLY hard to just sit here when I'm feeling fine. There is so much that needs to be done and here I sit. Oh well...God knows about that.
I hope your Easter is a fantastic day with family and friends and that you are celebrating the risen Savior's victory!! He really DOES live.
Read over the resurrection story and rejoice with all of us for what the Lord has done for each and every one of us. I remember the song, (not sure of the name or the singer) but it says, "While He was on the cross, I was on His mind." WOW...what an awesome thought. And I do praise Him for what He did for ME. I hope you feel the same.
Have a great day in HIM!!!
Friday, April 10, 2009
A down time for us
Hello to all,
It's been a tough two weeks. I'm writing from my laptop, so can't get photos or some of the messages I wanted to put on here. The only thing I'll share with you today is why I'm sitting in the living room, frustrated and upset. The rest I will leave until I can get back into the computer room...maybe 4 or 5 days.
On Tuesday, I woke up shaking really bad. I was SOOOOO cold. I could not stop shaking. So, I did not go to the airport. By noon, I was feeling really bad. By mid afternoon the high fever and throwing up started. Have you ever wished God would simply take you home? I sure did for the next two days. At first, I figured 24 hour flu....wrong. By Wednesday evening I noticed my left leg was beet red. Previous to that, when I first got sick, it felt like someone had hit me with a baseball bat on that leg in three places. So, then I got a bit concerned. Called some friends who are in the medical field and asked what to do. The throwing up had stopped, and the fever was off and on by that time. But I felt like a wet rag. None of our American doctors were around, but two of our nurses were. The first thing mentioned was a blood clot, but that was ruled out almost immediately. Then it was a number of things. Decision was made to use ice for the night and see if it took the swelling down. Okay, we are at miserable day 3. That morning our friends Ray and Bonnie and Belle (a nurse) came. Bonnie and Belle were going to stay with me while Don and Ray went to the airport. Now, here is where God stepped in for the first time. Belle said I needed some blood work. I could NOT walk more than maybe 15 or 20 feet, so that ruled out going somewhere for that work. Well, one of the gals we put in school....to be a lab tec...agreed to come to the house to draw the blood and agreed to work it up quickly for us. To make this already long story shorter, saw a Haitian doctor, who came here to see me. He said it was a cellulitis variety called erysipelas. Nope, I have no idea what it meant. But he told me I needed antibiotics. Okay anyone who knows me knows I have allergies to antibiotics (except a few). Another American nurse, Pat, had sent her husband out here with that for me. AND praise the Lord, our American doctor (Steve) returned from the Dominican. So, I'm off my feet, except for bathroom privilages. YES they are privilages!! But I am stuck here sitting in a chair, or laying in bed. I am not a happy camper about this, but have no choice.
Okay, NOW, add to this, yesterday (Thursday) we had a team of 18 come in. Now, I feel TOTALLY rotten. I can do nothing to help out at all. Everything, from caring for what I need, to daily routines, to team care has fallen on Don. He is SO overworked right now. Please, please keep him in prayer. Vero has helped out tremendously, and I'm so thankful for that. Being Easter weekend, she has a couple of free days. So, Abbie's care is not a problem. And the team has taken pity on us and is helping with food. Don is a good cook, but it was all a strain on him.
Well, now you know the reason I'm frustrated. But in this, as in all things, we have to know that God is in control and He can do things we can't.
The sad thing is, I'll miss Easter Sunrise Service here. I really look forward to that. But, I'll survive that too.
On a closing note....HAPPY EASTER TO EVERYONE. Keep the risen Savior on your mind, not only on Easter, but on every day of the year!!!
It's been a tough two weeks. I'm writing from my laptop, so can't get photos or some of the messages I wanted to put on here. The only thing I'll share with you today is why I'm sitting in the living room, frustrated and upset. The rest I will leave until I can get back into the computer room...maybe 4 or 5 days.
On Tuesday, I woke up shaking really bad. I was SOOOOO cold. I could not stop shaking. So, I did not go to the airport. By noon, I was feeling really bad. By mid afternoon the high fever and throwing up started. Have you ever wished God would simply take you home? I sure did for the next two days. At first, I figured 24 hour flu....wrong. By Wednesday evening I noticed my left leg was beet red. Previous to that, when I first got sick, it felt like someone had hit me with a baseball bat on that leg in three places. So, then I got a bit concerned. Called some friends who are in the medical field and asked what to do. The throwing up had stopped, and the fever was off and on by that time. But I felt like a wet rag. None of our American doctors were around, but two of our nurses were. The first thing mentioned was a blood clot, but that was ruled out almost immediately. Then it was a number of things. Decision was made to use ice for the night and see if it took the swelling down. Okay, we are at miserable day 3. That morning our friends Ray and Bonnie and Belle (a nurse) came. Bonnie and Belle were going to stay with me while Don and Ray went to the airport. Now, here is where God stepped in for the first time. Belle said I needed some blood work. I could NOT walk more than maybe 15 or 20 feet, so that ruled out going somewhere for that work. Well, one of the gals we put in school....to be a lab tec...agreed to come to the house to draw the blood and agreed to work it up quickly for us. To make this already long story shorter, saw a Haitian doctor, who came here to see me. He said it was a cellulitis variety called erysipelas. Nope, I have no idea what it meant. But he told me I needed antibiotics. Okay anyone who knows me knows I have allergies to antibiotics (except a few). Another American nurse, Pat, had sent her husband out here with that for me. AND praise the Lord, our American doctor (Steve) returned from the Dominican. So, I'm off my feet, except for bathroom privilages. YES they are privilages!! But I am stuck here sitting in a chair, or laying in bed. I am not a happy camper about this, but have no choice.
Okay, NOW, add to this, yesterday (Thursday) we had a team of 18 come in. Now, I feel TOTALLY rotten. I can do nothing to help out at all. Everything, from caring for what I need, to daily routines, to team care has fallen on Don. He is SO overworked right now. Please, please keep him in prayer. Vero has helped out tremendously, and I'm so thankful for that. Being Easter weekend, she has a couple of free days. So, Abbie's care is not a problem. And the team has taken pity on us and is helping with food. Don is a good cook, but it was all a strain on him.
Well, now you know the reason I'm frustrated. But in this, as in all things, we have to know that God is in control and He can do things we can't.
The sad thing is, I'll miss Easter Sunrise Service here. I really look forward to that. But, I'll survive that too.
On a closing note....HAPPY EASTER TO EVERYONE. Keep the risen Savior on your mind, not only on Easter, but on every day of the year!!!
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
