After the fated mango harvest of a single tree, Crash didn't give the donated shot of Promethazine a chance to work, because, in her misery, she wanted to take as many doses as possible of anything that promised relief.
Having been told by the generous pharmacist that it was okay to take a second shot, which Crash didn't have, 4 hours after the first, Dee contacted a friend that lives near a pharmacy about 30 minutes from where they live. The pharmacy, by the grace of God, had Promethazine, but in one big bottle and no individual doses. The only solution to this problem was to open a syringe, take out a dose of the shot and send the open syringe on a tap tap Crash. So it was done.
When the opened and unlabeled syringe arrived, Crash had to wait yet another 30 or 40 minutes while her nurse, Monique, called the pharmacy to verify that the syringe contained none other than Promethazine. The pharmacist gave her guarantee, whatever THAT is, that it was the right medicine that they were about to inject into Crash. On faith, they did so and had to wait until the next morning to repeat the process.
In the morning, with no changes having occurred, Dee sent for another opened and unlabeled syringe to be brought. But there was a different pharmacist at the pharmacy that morning than was there the night before. This pharmacist insisted that the price they paid the previous night was incorrect and that they would have to pay double for it today. With an amused and understanding chuckle (because that happens a lot in Haiti), the double price was paid and the medicine brought.
After 3 shots and still worsening reactions, Crash nearly paid to have her plane ticket changed to that very day to go to America where this problem could be quickly solved, but decided to wait another day. During that day, her mom called and suggested taking a steroid to help it out. And by some more of God's grace, Dee found 5 steroid pills in a first aid kit which Crash, not sure about but totally desperate to find relief, took all at once at the suggestion of the bottle containing the pills.
She went to sleep hoping for the best, which is exactly what came piece by piece over the next week.
Crash woke up the next morning with a less-swollen face, which is the best improvement anyone had seen thus far. The day after that it looked almost its normal size. The rash persisted everywhere, but the swelling was going down and Crash could begin to move her mouth, talk more clearly and even smile a little in another day or so.
The rash went away very, very slowly and, as unpleasant as this may be, caused her face to crack and peel as it departed. The rash on her arms and chest and ears took much longer to calm down and is still irritating and itchy, but not so great a problem that she can't be thankful for this condition rather than her former one.
And let's not forget emotional damage. Crash can't so much as look at a mango without a certain terror encompassing her. She smelled some ripening mangoes in a depot and immediately ran away to wash her body, praying that the milk wasn't airborne or something. Another time, moving a playpen for the baby, a hanging mango bumped her on the head and she screamed, unhealthily afraid. Never before has a fruit drawn so much fear from a person, but she is recovering as best as can be expected.
She is thankful for those who prayed so fervently for her recovery and hopes never to encounter such a fruity disaster as this one ever again.
Thursday, April 9, 2009
Friday, April 3, 2009
Story Time
Once upon a time under a mango tree, a white girl decided to be a part of the mango harvest (and by harvest, I only mean one tree in our yard) in Haiti. She isn't quite able to climb like the natives, so she decided to be the catcher of the picked mangoes on the ground while the natives threw them from above.
All was wonderful while she caught the mangoes and got all sticky from the syrupy milk that's in the mango vines. She and the natives played speed games to catch the mangoes and had a generally merry time.
After the fun, the white girl washed the sticky stuff off of her tanned skin and continued in normalcy until the next day, which was anything but normal...
After a night of restless sleep and seemingly random and unexplainable itching, the white girl, named Crash, got out of bed. After changing Lonia's diaper and wondering what that weird look on her face was, Crash exited her room and upon approaching her best friend, Dee, opened her mouth to ask a question. But Crash didn't have to speak, for the look on Dee's face had answered the question already.
"Whaaat in the wooooorld???" asked Dee.
"Yeah, I feel deformed, but from the look on your face, I must LOOK deformed as well," Crash answered.
"What happened?"
"I have no idea. What does it look like?"
"Not good," replied Dee, graciously understating the monster face Crash was wearing.
It turns out that after 23 years of life without a single allergic reaction to anything ever, Crash was allergic to the milk in the vines from which mangoes hang from the trees. Her face swelled up, barely leaving enough room for Crash to see beyond her protruding eyelids. She developed nasty rashes on every single solitary spot where the milk stuck to her, including both arms, both hands and all across her chest, and the same rash covered her swollen face.
Day one was nothing but questions, only a few of which were answered in the least. Pain was a general constant. Itching and burning came later that morning.
After a virtually sleepless night, which Dee joined Crash for just in case an emergency took place, day two was when monster face took its full swing. The resident nurse, Monique, went on a trip to find as many remedies for Crash as she could. She brought back, 3 creams, 2 lotions, 2 syrups and 1 box of pills.
None of them worked.
Two days passed.
Finally, Dee and her husband decided that Crash had been through enough, so they took her on a bumpy one and a half hour ride to a clinic. At the clinic, the guy in scrubs told them, after looking at the 3 creams, 2 lotions and box of pills, that they were using all the right medicines, they just needed to wait longer.
But after seeing the way Dee's face went savage and hostile as it did (and Crash's would have if she could have moved any facial muscles), the guy in scrubs said that a shot of Promethazine would help. But the clinic didn't have any.
Dee walked briskly across the street where there happened to be a hospital. She entered the hospital pharmacy, but Dee didn't have small enough change to buy the medicine (an ironically common problem in Haiti) so she waited 10 minutes while her temporary guide went to buy a coke to break the change, drink it and come back.
Upon his return, Dee asked for the exact shot she needed and the pharmacist said, "Oh, we don't have this."
"Of course, you don't," Dee said, dejected.
"But we do have individual doses in the operating room. But I can't sell that to you," the pharmacist replied.
"Then give it to me," Dee said with a sternness that cannot possibly be ignored.
And the pharmacist did just that.
Now, whether the shot worked or not, you will find out in the next edition of Story Time.
All was wonderful while she caught the mangoes and got all sticky from the syrupy milk that's in the mango vines. She and the natives played speed games to catch the mangoes and had a generally merry time.
After the fun, the white girl washed the sticky stuff off of her tanned skin and continued in normalcy until the next day, which was anything but normal...
After a night of restless sleep and seemingly random and unexplainable itching, the white girl, named Crash, got out of bed. After changing Lonia's diaper and wondering what that weird look on her face was, Crash exited her room and upon approaching her best friend, Dee, opened her mouth to ask a question. But Crash didn't have to speak, for the look on Dee's face had answered the question already.
"Whaaat in the wooooorld???" asked Dee.
"Yeah, I feel deformed, but from the look on your face, I must LOOK deformed as well," Crash answered.
"What happened?"
"I have no idea. What does it look like?"
"Not good," replied Dee, graciously understating the monster face Crash was wearing.
It turns out that after 23 years of life without a single allergic reaction to anything ever, Crash was allergic to the milk in the vines from which mangoes hang from the trees. Her face swelled up, barely leaving enough room for Crash to see beyond her protruding eyelids. She developed nasty rashes on every single solitary spot where the milk stuck to her, including both arms, both hands and all across her chest, and the same rash covered her swollen face.
Day one was nothing but questions, only a few of which were answered in the least. Pain was a general constant. Itching and burning came later that morning.
After a virtually sleepless night, which Dee joined Crash for just in case an emergency took place, day two was when monster face took its full swing. The resident nurse, Monique, went on a trip to find as many remedies for Crash as she could. She brought back, 3 creams, 2 lotions, 2 syrups and 1 box of pills.
None of them worked.
Two days passed.
Finally, Dee and her husband decided that Crash had been through enough, so they took her on a bumpy one and a half hour ride to a clinic. At the clinic, the guy in scrubs told them, after looking at the 3 creams, 2 lotions and box of pills, that they were using all the right medicines, they just needed to wait longer.
But after seeing the way Dee's face went savage and hostile as it did (and Crash's would have if she could have moved any facial muscles), the guy in scrubs said that a shot of Promethazine would help. But the clinic didn't have any.
Dee walked briskly across the street where there happened to be a hospital. She entered the hospital pharmacy, but Dee didn't have small enough change to buy the medicine (an ironically common problem in Haiti) so she waited 10 minutes while her temporary guide went to buy a coke to break the change, drink it and come back.
Upon his return, Dee asked for the exact shot she needed and the pharmacist said, "Oh, we don't have this."
"Of course, you don't," Dee said, dejected.
"But we do have individual doses in the operating room. But I can't sell that to you," the pharmacist replied.
"Then give it to me," Dee said with a sternness that cannot possibly be ignored.
And the pharmacist did just that.
Now, whether the shot worked or not, you will find out in the next edition of Story Time.
Tuesday, March 24, 2009
Our New Digs
After seven months of living inside the schoolyard with children everywhere, all the time, no privacy, constant noise, it's a dream-come-true to have a room with a breeze and open space at the beach property.
It's a whole new way of life with the whole team here. Dee's been looking out for me, letting everyone know to let me be when I sneak away for some desperately overdo time alone. I've tossed rocks at the ocean all by myself, not a soul within fifty yards of me. For months I've had people at my side, which can be good or bad, depending on your personality. For me, it just added to the infecting loneliness I'd been feeling for so long. I wanted companionship, but at the same time I wanted solitary confinement. I think what it all came down to was detaching and taking time to pray out loud knowing that only my Father could hear me. That one little thing turns out to have more value to me than I ever knew.
I value that time now for what it should have been to me all along- necessary. That time is necessary for mental sanity, emotional bearing, spiritual renewal. I have never known that more than I do at this very moment.
So now I relish. I relish in shutting my door and not being disturbed, in reading and napping without constant perusal, in working, eating, drinking and sleeping on my own schedule, and in speaking English and having those in my presence understand every word.
I am enjoying this new life. It's still adventurous. It's still challenging. It's still wonderfully complex. But it's become something now that's never been before- more than bearable, less than spoiling- it's become comfortable. I know that in spiritual terms that word may carry negative connotations. But at this point, I'll take comfortable over what it previously was any day.
Much love,
C
Preview: I believe I owe you a "Joy of Giving: Part 2". Be on the lookout.
It's a whole new way of life with the whole team here. Dee's been looking out for me, letting everyone know to let me be when I sneak away for some desperately overdo time alone. I've tossed rocks at the ocean all by myself, not a soul within fifty yards of me. For months I've had people at my side, which can be good or bad, depending on your personality. For me, it just added to the infecting loneliness I'd been feeling for so long. I wanted companionship, but at the same time I wanted solitary confinement. I think what it all came down to was detaching and taking time to pray out loud knowing that only my Father could hear me. That one little thing turns out to have more value to me than I ever knew.
I value that time now for what it should have been to me all along- necessary. That time is necessary for mental sanity, emotional bearing, spiritual renewal. I have never known that more than I do at this very moment.
So now I relish. I relish in shutting my door and not being disturbed, in reading and napping without constant perusal, in working, eating, drinking and sleeping on my own schedule, and in speaking English and having those in my presence understand every word.
I am enjoying this new life. It's still adventurous. It's still challenging. It's still wonderfully complex. But it's become something now that's never been before- more than bearable, less than spoiling- it's become comfortable. I know that in spiritual terms that word may carry negative connotations. But at this point, I'll take comfortable over what it previously was any day.
Much love,
C
Preview: I believe I owe you a "Joy of Giving: Part 2". Be on the lookout.
Sunday, March 22, 2009
That Look
Now that Lonia is in our midst again, I have had countless opportunities to look in those eyes that are too big for the body that holds them. Dee has spoken over and over of the fire in that little girl's eyes. But it's different to hear about it and now to see it for myself.
It's no matter what kind of look I give her, whether it is stern or gentle, full of panic or laced with joy, she always answers back with that same mysterious look, like she's got wisdom behind those eyes that I'll never touch.
Granted, there are those comical moments when she tries to imitate my features before I realize which ones I'm wearing. But when it's just her watching, looking, observing, searching, even silently replying to a statement I've made, she's got that look- that awesome, innocent, deep little look.
Gives me goosebumps everytime.
Dee can't quit repeating that this little fireball is especially special. She's known it for awhile. I'm just catching on. And for the both of us, it feels like God's working a little momentum into play. Care to join in the fun?
Much love,
C
It's no matter what kind of look I give her, whether it is stern or gentle, full of panic or laced with joy, she always answers back with that same mysterious look, like she's got wisdom behind those eyes that I'll never touch.
Granted, there are those comical moments when she tries to imitate my features before I realize which ones I'm wearing. But when it's just her watching, looking, observing, searching, even silently replying to a statement I've made, she's got that look- that awesome, innocent, deep little look.
Gives me goosebumps everytime.
Dee can't quit repeating that this little fireball is especially special. She's known it for awhile. I'm just catching on. And for the both of us, it feels like God's working a little momentum into play. Care to join in the fun?
Much love,
C
Wednesday, March 18, 2009
Team of Friends
The team that visited last week is the same team that I have lead the last two years. Talk about a switch in role-play! I knew all but two of the girls that came personally so, after five months of fairly lonely circumstances, you can imagine how ecstatic I was to have a group of friends around.
It started out as the normal airport chaos. But this time I got to run the other end of it. Before, all I had to do was usher the girls around and wait for Dee's orders. This time I was negotiating and arguing and giving orders in Creole and driving and, well, you get the idea. I'm sure they were slightly taken aback.
And what better way to end a day of chaos than with a little more chaos? To say it simply, the truck broke down. Not only did it break down, it broke way down. The head gasket. It broke. Big time. So we pulled the little truck home by way of the big truck, which was just recently fixed. Did I mention that we had just replaced the clutch in the little truck THE DAY BEFORE all this happened? All I have to say is, Dorce Ministries will think twice before putting on the team someone who's very aura makes vehicles' entrails crumble.
Nonetheless, the team of the ladies from Hannibal-LaGrange College was more than happy to join us for the adventure. The week was spent telling stories and laughing and travelling and laughing. We made visits to four of our main locations- Carries, Cupois, Verrette and Montrouis. About four hundred kids got gifts of toys, food, candy, pencils, etc. The week was wonderful in every way I could have expected.
One of my favorite things to share was the testimony that this is not supernatural work for supernatural people. I know that most short-term student missionaries think that only special people are qualified for the work. I know that sometimes missionaries are put on a pedastal. But I got to tell them and prove to them that they're all candidates by saying that a year ago I was in their seat. I was a student leading a week-long mission trip. I was a college girl. A year ago. I'm a 23-year-old single gal. My qualifications are not exceptional. I have barely passed the stage they're in now.
That's what makes this whole situation so extraordinary. I have no idea why God chose me for this position at this time instead of someone else. But I guarantee that if He's done it with me, He can and will do it with whichever person in whichever place for whichever reason He wants to. If this has proved anything to me so far, it's that God doesn't need me.
The whole week was overwhelming and wonderful. And now we're back down to business.
Thanks for being with me for all this. It's a very big deal.
Much love,
C
It started out as the normal airport chaos. But this time I got to run the other end of it. Before, all I had to do was usher the girls around and wait for Dee's orders. This time I was negotiating and arguing and giving orders in Creole and driving and, well, you get the idea. I'm sure they were slightly taken aback.
And what better way to end a day of chaos than with a little more chaos? To say it simply, the truck broke down. Not only did it break down, it broke way down. The head gasket. It broke. Big time. So we pulled the little truck home by way of the big truck, which was just recently fixed. Did I mention that we had just replaced the clutch in the little truck THE DAY BEFORE all this happened? All I have to say is, Dorce Ministries will think twice before putting on the team someone who's very aura makes vehicles' entrails crumble.
Nonetheless, the team of the ladies from Hannibal-LaGrange College was more than happy to join us for the adventure. The week was spent telling stories and laughing and travelling and laughing. We made visits to four of our main locations- Carries, Cupois, Verrette and Montrouis. About four hundred kids got gifts of toys, food, candy, pencils, etc. The week was wonderful in every way I could have expected.
One of my favorite things to share was the testimony that this is not supernatural work for supernatural people. I know that most short-term student missionaries think that only special people are qualified for the work. I know that sometimes missionaries are put on a pedastal. But I got to tell them and prove to them that they're all candidates by saying that a year ago I was in their seat. I was a student leading a week-long mission trip. I was a college girl. A year ago. I'm a 23-year-old single gal. My qualifications are not exceptional. I have barely passed the stage they're in now.
That's what makes this whole situation so extraordinary. I have no idea why God chose me for this position at this time instead of someone else. But I guarantee that if He's done it with me, He can and will do it with whichever person in whichever place for whichever reason He wants to. If this has proved anything to me so far, it's that God doesn't need me.
The whole week was overwhelming and wonderful. And now we're back down to business.
Thanks for being with me for all this. It's a very big deal.
Much love,
C
Saturday, February 21, 2009
No More Jokes
Question: How many Haitians does it takes to get a dump truck stuck in a ravine?
Answer: Usually just one, but this time it was two.
Question: How many Haitians does it take to attempt to pull a dump truck out of a ravine?
Answer: 56...on the first day.
Question: How many days does it take to pull a dump truck out of a ravine in Haiti?
Answer: 2
Question: How many Haitians does it take to actually pull a dump truck out of a ravine?
Answer: 27 on the second day.
Question: How many Haitians refused to listen to Crash throughout the entire ordeal?
Answer: 56+27=83
Question: How many 1/2-inch steel cables does it take to pull a dump truck out of a ravine in Haiti?
Answer: 1/2-inch steel cables aren't strong enough.
Question: How many times does a 1/2 steel cable need to break in half before 56 Haitians and one American finally realize that 1/2-inch steel cables aren't strong enough?
Answer: 6
Question:How many friggin-huge chains does it take to pull a dump truck out of a ravine in Haiti?
Answer: Only one, praise God.
Question: How many times when the camera malfunctions and misses the best part of trying to pull a dump truck out of a ravine in Haiti does it take to really tick Crash off?
Answer: Only a few.
Question: How many times did Crash praise God after He kept the truck from tipping over?
Answer: stopped counting after 18.
Questions: How many people think that if they'd done it their way in the first place the dump truck would have pulled out of the ravine before lunch on the first day?
Answer: 83 Haitians and one American named Crash.
Either way, it's out and I can breathe again.
Hope you enjoyed that.
Love.
-C
Answer: Usually just one, but this time it was two.
Question: How many Haitians does it take to attempt to pull a dump truck out of a ravine?
Answer: 56...on the first day.
Question: How many days does it take to pull a dump truck out of a ravine in Haiti?
Answer: 2
Question: How many Haitians does it take to actually pull a dump truck out of a ravine?
Answer: 27 on the second day.
Question: How many Haitians refused to listen to Crash throughout the entire ordeal?
Answer: 56+27=83
Question: How many 1/2-inch steel cables does it take to pull a dump truck out of a ravine in Haiti?
Answer: 1/2-inch steel cables aren't strong enough.
Question: How many times does a 1/2 steel cable need to break in half before 56 Haitians and one American finally realize that 1/2-inch steel cables aren't strong enough?
Answer: 6
Question:How many friggin-huge chains does it take to pull a dump truck out of a ravine in Haiti?
Answer: Only one, praise God.
Question: How many times when the camera malfunctions and misses the best part of trying to pull a dump truck out of a ravine in Haiti does it take to really tick Crash off?
Answer: Only a few.
Question: How many times did Crash praise God after He kept the truck from tipping over?
Answer: stopped counting after 18.
Questions: How many people think that if they'd done it their way in the first place the dump truck would have pulled out of the ravine before lunch on the first day?
Answer: 83 Haitians and one American named Crash.
Either way, it's out and I can breathe again.
Hope you enjoyed that.
Love.
-C
Friday, February 20, 2009
Book Quotations I Love
A vision without a task makes a visionary.
A task without a vision is drudgery.
A vision with a task makes a missionary.
-Dunning
As quoted in "Spiritual Leadership" by J. Oswald Sanders
Through prayer you can accmpany any missionary to remote parts of the earth. Through prayer you can walk through crowded bazaars, minister in steaming jungles, feed millions of starving men, women and children, hungry for bread for their bodies and for the Bread of Life.
-Wesley Duewel
"Touch the World Through Prayer"
The person accepting the Lord's call into the ministry is agreeing to live in a world of unfinished tasks. You are literally being sentenced to live beyond yourself. It is by its very nature impossible to live this life and do this work in your own strength. You will develop a strong prayer life or you will not survive. It's as simple as that.
-Joe McKeever
As quoted in "Prayer: The Timeless Secret of High-Impact Leaders" by Dave Earley
All men dream, but not equally. Those who dream by night in the dusty recesses of their minds awake to find it was vanity. But the dreamers of the day are dangerous men, that they may act their dreams with open eyes to make it possible.
-T.E. Lawrence
As quoted in "The Leadership Genius of Jesus" by William Bausay III
I wonder why it is that everywhere the apostle Paul went they had revolution, and everywhere I go they serve a cup of tea.
-some Anglican bishop
As quoted in "The Winning Attitude" by John Maxwell
(In the context of speeding up a learning process...)
When God wants to make an oak tree, He takes a hundred years. When He wants to make a squash, He requires only two months.
-James Garfield
As quoted by Maxwell
Let's discipline ourselves so that words are few and full.
-Richard Foster
"Celebration of Discipline"
Parents hold steady through the teen years, knowing that their children will emerge at the other end human once again!
-Richard Foster
same book...this one makes me laugh every time
A task without a vision is drudgery.
A vision with a task makes a missionary.
-Dunning
As quoted in "Spiritual Leadership" by J. Oswald Sanders
Through prayer you can accmpany any missionary to remote parts of the earth. Through prayer you can walk through crowded bazaars, minister in steaming jungles, feed millions of starving men, women and children, hungry for bread for their bodies and for the Bread of Life.
-Wesley Duewel
"Touch the World Through Prayer"
The person accepting the Lord's call into the ministry is agreeing to live in a world of unfinished tasks. You are literally being sentenced to live beyond yourself. It is by its very nature impossible to live this life and do this work in your own strength. You will develop a strong prayer life or you will not survive. It's as simple as that.
-Joe McKeever
As quoted in "Prayer: The Timeless Secret of High-Impact Leaders" by Dave Earley
All men dream, but not equally. Those who dream by night in the dusty recesses of their minds awake to find it was vanity. But the dreamers of the day are dangerous men, that they may act their dreams with open eyes to make it possible.
-T.E. Lawrence
As quoted in "The Leadership Genius of Jesus" by William Bausay III
I wonder why it is that everywhere the apostle Paul went they had revolution, and everywhere I go they serve a cup of tea.
-some Anglican bishop
As quoted in "The Winning Attitude" by John Maxwell
(In the context of speeding up a learning process...)
When God wants to make an oak tree, He takes a hundred years. When He wants to make a squash, He requires only two months.
-James Garfield
As quoted by Maxwell
Let's discipline ourselves so that words are few and full.
-Richard Foster
"Celebration of Discipline"
Parents hold steady through the teen years, knowing that their children will emerge at the other end human once again!
-Richard Foster
same book...this one makes me laugh every time
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