I want to give you an update on Getchland and baby Woodkensley.
Getchland was the mom that was sent for a C-Section on August 16th for very severe preeclampsia. I am happy to report that mom and baby are doing much better — but are still under the care of the maternity clinic for follow up.
10 days after delivery she had lost 53 pounds and the baby was only 3 pounds of that. She still has some swelling in her legs, her blood pressure is still up but is on medications, and Woodkensley is gaining weight slowly.
He is still only at 4.1 pounds at his last appointment but is continuing to slowly gain weight and make progress! Thank-You for your prayers and financial support that have made a huge impact on these two lives. Please continue to pray for both of them as they still have some progress to make.
She is such a happy mamma!!
It is with sadness but also excitement that we had to say “until later” to a big part of the community here in the neighborhood this month.
Jim and Debbie Hambrick, who dedicated the last 23-year of their lives to be missionaries, have transitioned from their work here in Haiti with Our House Of Hope (the guest house next door), to a much-needed and deserved “semi”retirement.
They started out and spent many of their years in Venezuela in the Amazon jungle with the Yanomami Indians. They have so many amazing stories of the work they did there.
They moved to Haiti in 2012 to open Our House Of Hope, as a ministry center for teams coming to serve Haiti. After 23 years on the mission field they, for sure, deserve a retirement of endless relaxation.
But, if I know them like I think I do, after a short period of rest they will again be involved in ministry and in serving others.
It was a blessing to know you and serve alongside you here in Haiti. Thank-you for your care, love, and encouragement you always showed. Blessings on this next phase in your lives!
After dinner on their last night in Haiti
An update on Doodley, the little guy who had a rough delivery and start at life. Doodley is having a little trouble with his tummy. It looks like he is probably going to be a colicky baby. But despite this he is gaining weight! He was born at 5.7 pounds and just hit 8.0 pounds.
Please pray for Doodley and his mom as they deal with his stomach issues (and that it is only colic) but also continue to thank God for sparing this life! Everytime I see him, I just hold him and look at him with amazement!! God is good!!!!
Doodley and his mom Elina. I could hold him and watch him breath for hours!!!
For those of you that did not catch it on Facebook, Donald got very sick and ended up in the hospital.
They called me one night and said he was really sick. When I got to him, he was obviously sick. We took him to the emergency room.
At one point he looked at me and told me he was going to die, and I believed him! He ended up with a perforated stomach.
He had to have surgery and spent a week in the hospital. And, he is doing much better now and is up and around and getting his strength back! Thank-you to those that prayed. Thank-you also to those that gave specifically for his medical bills. He had a significant bill by the time it was all done (cash up front, pay as you go). While in American standards it was pretty cheap, all things considered. It was not even an option to be considered for him. Without your assistance he would have just stayed home and died. Donald says: Merci Anpil, Merci Jezi ~ Thank-You Very Much, Thank-you Jesus!!
He still isn’t at 100% yet but it beats the alternative!
The other day I had a giggly patient out in the waiting area at maternity clinic. When she came in for her turn, she just put her hands over her face and started laughing. After 18 months and a lot of patients I got my first repeat customer!! Daphnie is 26 and is came back to see us for her third pregnancy! She was patient # 2 and now # 230 in the program. I guess were doing something right when they come back!!
Daphnie and I. Left June 2018 and right September 2019
Please be in prayer for Haiti, Kelby’s Kids, and myself. Things have been fairly difficult the last several weeks. Today we got a can of gas for the first time in 26 days. I’ve seen “black market” or “Street” gas for as high as $28.50 USD a gallon with the chance it’s been cut with water.
The power has been off for the last 4.5 days (the neighborhood erupted in cheers when the power came on this afternoon like they were all watching a big soccer game).
Protests are increasing. They are blocking the streets. We had to walk to clinic all this week because we couldn’t even drive in our neighborhood. The kids haven’t been in school in a week. It’s just getting more desperate and more on edge. Elections are supposed to be coming up as well so that will make it worse until they’re over.
Haiti needs a break from all this!
Please pray for peace in the streets and that people can provide for their basic needs. Pray that Kelby’s Kids can continue to provide for their medical, malnutrition, and maternity needs so they can concentrate on food, water, and the basic needs of their families.
This little man is still showing his Haiti pride with his Haiti flag doo rag as he is leaving malnutrition clinic.
Only time will tell what the future holds. But now you know what’s been going on and only God knows what will be going on!
Thank-you for the part you play in in the ministry of Kelby’s Kids. I could never do it without you!!
Until No Child Dies,
Kelby