Another Rose for the Altar

At Messiah Lutheran Church of Bullock Creek, where I and many team members attend church, we have a new custom of placing a rose on the altar when we know of someone who has come to Christ. We are so blessed to be able to say "Put another rose on the altar" as one woman came through the clinic and told Kurt she did not know Jesus Christ but wanted to accept him as her personal Savior. Praises to our Lord!!
Today was absolutely crazy!! We were on "Haiti time" again this morning and arrived late at the clinic to the line of people waiting. As we were preparing the clinic area, the door to the clinic flung wide open as 2 men were carrying a woman who had passed out in the street and she came to us unresponsive and having only gaspy respirationts. I was thinking "but wait, God, we are still trying to get ready". God does not wait on us, though. Eric and I quickly set into action as I started the IV and Eric was assessing her. Vital signs were attempted but not easily heard over the sound of the activity and the generator just outside the clinic. She soon came to and it was revealed to us that she had not eaten in 5 days as she had very little and she fed her son and her 80 year old mother the only food they had left. We fed her and Deb and Jessica went with Michel (our clinic manager) to take her to get an x-ray. By the time she had returned, she was feeling much better and was able to leave on her own.



While she was out to get an x-ray, we had 2 others come in passing out due to the dehydration. More IV fluids helped the situation. I kept thinking "Praise God for Kevin Roeder for donating all these IV fluids"! Teresa was busy taking off some big lipomas and a couple of other things! People were lined up, waiting in the heat. We were providing lots of water, but still felt bad about the wait. I would say that for as many people as we were able to see, there were 2 or 3 more that were not able to be seen because of our human limitations.
It was fun to see Lori out there with the kids attempting duck, duck, goose! Deb was running around the inside of the clinic looking for things. Gerry and Amy were still busy looking for malaria and dipping pee samples! Erica searched all over the clinic to find IV supplies in order to make an IV start basket for emergencies. Michelle knows where most of the drugs are and was probably tired of hearing her name called "Michelle, can I get some tylenol?"! Joslyn was trying hard to keep order in the lines of people waiting and catching them to give them a bag with some goodies in it on the way out.
Dennis was trying to communicate with our Haitian guards about how many people to let in the gate and Lu was getting their information and sending them on to the prayer station. Margie did a lot of triaging and was able to take care of minor complaints so the docs didn't have to see everyone and we could get more people through. Connie assisted Teresa with procedures.
Tyler helped Dennis get the first emergency case to the vehicle and Rob and Jessica jumped in where they could. It was overwhelming at times, but we are stoked and ready for tomorrow.
We only have 1/2 day of clinic tomorrow morning and then a baby shower for our clinic manager (shhhhhhhhhh . . . it's a surprise)!
Everyone is well. We are now realizing how short this trip can seem as we are nearly finished. Continue to pray for us.