Old People and One of our Little Girls

Dec 28th

 Today we reached out to the elderly at a nursing home that is supported by the MEBSH/ACWR efforts here.  With this assistance they are able to give alot better care... it still isn't perfect, there is alot that could be done, changed, improved, but it is a lot better than what it was.  We arrived, took a look around while they were loading up the residents that were able to go, along with a few staff women to assist and the Pastor that oversees it. We first went to a privately owned ocean/riverside park area. The residents were just excited to get outside the walls.  They never get outside their yard area, unless someone takes them.  Tim and Joan are only able to do this every few years; it takes a lot of people.

and more chickens!

bananas!

yes, those are our girls in the back cage of that truck.... and Craig is driving in Haiti!! 

This is Paul...

 So when they sat in the park area and sang, they were really happy and excited! :)  Then those who wanted to get into the ocean were loaded back up and driven over to an easier access area.  We assisted them to some chairs under the tree and helped them disrobe (some swimsuits, some undies and what not, some in their slips... however they were comfortable, and down to the water we went...  once in the water they loved it!  There was a river stream that ran parallel to the ocean beach so they washed in the river and played in the ocean.  Many of these grew up here and probably played around and in the ocean as children, so to see it and get in in again was a cherished time.  It was hilarious to observe and very touching at the same time.

this lady clapped and about danced out of her chair when they sang some songs together.                                                         It was great to see her enthusiasm in singing praises.

Craig trying to visit with Paul

walking thru the rice paddies to the ocean to meet up with van of oldies.

Craig and Tim carrying Paul to the ocean.

 Paul is an elderly man that has no muscle strength, he sits knees bent butt on the ground and kind of waddles to go anywhere.  Craig and Tim assisted him to get him into the ocean, it was a touching scene...

Paul, and all the residents, loved being in the ocean again.

  it took me out of my comfort zone to be assisting some of these residents getting redressed, knowing that the clothing was ...who knows what... but you just do it feeling that God will protect  you from whatever you are touching... to put it tactfully...   then you get the hand sanitizer out and go to the next one.  After they were back in the vehicles, we took them for a drive around town to let them see the town again, then took them back to the home.  There were many mercie boques  (sp?) as they got out and we departed. 

little kids that come to the ocean daily to bathe.  Today they came to watch us :)

others were there doing their laundry

doing the hair of this lady that was over 100, maybe 103 or 106

we left a soccer ball with the kids

 We came back for lunch and then has a special visitor...
Back in 2000 we hosted a Haitian Hearts patient, she lives in Simone Haiti a village of Cayes  right down the road from where Tim and Joan live.  We brought a backpack of school supplies that Craig's students put together and misc things from us.  We set Leah up on Skype so she could join in our visit with Nahnah.  We were surprised at what she was drawn to, Time for Kids maazines and pocket knife that was really meant for her dad :) 

getting Leah pulled up on skype

Leyderlina Dorvilme (Nahnah) and her dad

 She just turned 13 the day before. We thought her birthday was the 28th but it was the 27th... she said she is healthy and her heart is working well. She looked good, still somewhat lame on her right side, like when we had her.  What an opportunity to see her again, so thankful she is doing well. 

Girls :) including one on Skype

Craig helping her dad with new work boots.

...and off she goes beck to her life until we see her next time.

 

Wednesday evening we gathered a Gutwein's for some devotion and singing, as well as some personal numbers by different ones from the missionary community.