Resilience and Hope

                The earthquake was over a year and a half ago. It seemed a long time. Maybe we can forget about that day and move on now.  But how does one forget when every waking reality is a stark reminder of that day.  Every moment you`re reminded of that day by a place you`ve learned to call home – a shanty with branches connected together to hold the tarp together. In a little corner you have pots and dirt and garbage; that`s your kitchen. On the other corner lies your bed.  Oh wait! What about the memory of that building that fell on you and caused you to be paralyzed from the waist down?!  How CAN you forget that day?!!

                I had the privilege to render care to one such lady.  She`s wheelchair bound with a stage III to IV bedsore which covered her whole sacral area and a foley catheter that was two months old.  I gave care the best I could and changed her foley catheter, with the most sterile technique i can provide given the location. 

                I thought I was pouring out to her with all the love that I knew how.  Little did I know that God sent me there so SHE can pour into me and teach me a lesson or two.

                She was one of the most beautiful women I ever met in Haiti.  She glowed when she smiled, and that she did a lot.  In fact, she was always smiling! Her resilience to keep living despite everything that`s happened to her was so humbling, I almost felt unworthy of caring for her with what I had to offer. She was inspiring. And when I was done and the prayer and word of encouragement was given to her, she spoke.  Although in Creole, I completely understood what she said: “God is my healer and He gave you the skills so you can take care of me but every glory is unto God!”

                Resilience and Hope – they exist here in Haiti.  Jesus exists here in Haiti.