Dear Family, Friends and Supporters,
Thank you for your faithful prayers and support, without which I know we couldn't make it. Last week started off with the news about expecting more kids, I made a flurry of plans to prepare for that which takes much mental energy and creativity to think of how to balance the needs of all the children and skills and abilities of staff....I was most concerned about maintaining the stability of the work God has done so far in the orphanage in the midst of change and crisis. Since the children who have been there for a while all came from traumatic situations, new trauma and changes adds to their insecurity and needs. A few of the teenager boys, who have a better idea of what has really happened to their country, haven't been able to sleep at night. However the blessing of their difficult pasts is the consolation they have received from Christ and others they can pass on. So last week Tison (one of the staff) and I held different discussions/seminars during family devotion time on how to receive others in our midst. I asked the children if they were a Port au Prince victim how they would like to be received into the orphanage. It was beautiful to hear kids share about their first day in the orphanage (for those who remember), their fears, their joys, and what they would want to do for others to make it a positive experience.
Before the earthquake we had already planned to start transferring the oldest young men in our orphanage to our new site, while we wait for construction to be completed to move everyone. Due to construction delays, we hadn't made that happen when the earthquake hit. Tomorrow, five of the oldest will be the first to move to "Hope Haven North". We are then making space at our main facility to receive new babies. So last week on Thursday we had a celebration for what God has done thus far in Hope Haven and for what He will do in the future, aka a goodbye party for what was, an accceptance to changes that will be. The social committee in the orphanage arranged the whole thing, it was wonderful, with great food, singing, joke telling, and the oldest ones sharing their favorite memories of the orphanage, honoring those who've made sacrifices and sharing what they will miss. I was so blessed not only to see that despite day to day attitudes that I am appreciated, but to see their love for one another. Phillip, 18, was saying how he would miss the little ones. He helps give medicines, medicated peanut butter, ensure to some of the most medically fragile. Berlinda our newest and sickest arrival has been a very difficut case. Phillip was saying how he will miss Berlinda, 3, who tells him often that she is his friend and he is her friend. As soon as he said it the rest of the kids started saying, "that just because you give her peanut butter!" Phillip replied, "well enough though she does say you are my friend...peanut butter? I still will miss her." Prior to that, the idea of change had brought a good bit of anxiety to the kids but by celebrating God's faithfulness we were able to remember that although the world and country they have known has unalterably changed for the worse-- God who is loving and good has not and will not change- so we can look to the future with joy!!!
Since the kids are not in school, till at least the 17th of February I spent part of each day reading aloud to the children in French- the autobiography of George Mueller. It has been very applicable to our lives and taught us much.
By Friday all the celebrating and planning had worn me out but I pushed ahead and by the end of Saturday could go no more. I thought if I had to make one more decision or be asked one more question I would breakdown. So I took most of Sunday, Monday and Tuesday off, rested, and cried out to God. He strengthened me and encouraged me in Who He is. Today I hit the streets running again. First I met up with some missionaries who gave me 2 boxes of supplies they flew in with-- all baby supplies (formula, bottles, baby clothes etc). Then I went to the Cap Haitian gynasium where the government is processing the Port au Prince victims entering Cap Haitian. Twilla (president of Eternal Hope in Haiti) and a medical team along with a group of Haitian medical professionals are holding clinic for the victims. Yesterday they saw about 900 people. As of present my arm hurts because I was literally pulled into the building, while the desperate crowd was pulling on me, trying to get me to enter or help them!!! It was pretty wild! They had to have the riot police stand to man the doors.
When I got there Twilla asked me to go to the hospital and evaulate 2 babies for entry to the orphanage. They both had been abandoned. Heart breaking cases- one is HIV positive, is mabye 4 months (they have no information on him) and doesn't weigh 7 pounds the other looks about a 9months and can't weigh 10 pounds!!! So I spent the rest of the day, working on hiring new staff, and making ready for the new babies we hope to get out of the hospital tomorrow! God was good that the supplies I got in the morning were just what I needed.
There is some good news to report-- banks are open, (although the value of the dollar has increased because of all the foreign money coming in which means everything is more expensive)! Also the government is working on the roads some which helps life and the weather is nice. In addition today I got a few supplies through Agape (my mail service) even though one of their planes had an accident doing all the relief flights. Do pray because our strength (everyone in general) is decreasing as you deal with crisis day after day, the city is filling up and desperation increases.
So today I have done a lot and am thankful that the Lord let me rest the last couple of days because getting these babies to a stable place while we help others will be very intense over the next few days as they are in very serious condition, mainly due to starvation. We are looking to except medically fragile babies and you can pray for God's direction as the need is extreme.
Again thank you to everyone who has written me messages of encouragment, I need those, I just don't have time to respond. Also thank you for everyone who has helped financial, progress is being made with the construction so we hope by the end of the week, to have space to move more of our older boys, and make space for more of the babies.
Below is the link for a blog, my family is maintianing and updating as I communicate with them somewhat more regularly then I can send out reports.
http:cheronhaitiupdate2010.blogspot.com/2010/01/welcom-to-cherons-blog.html
Trusting God,
Cheron Rose Hardy, FNP-C, CNM, RN
Eternal Hope in Haiti
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