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| Chris with a little friend |
We were in Texas and Colorado during the month of March seeing family, visiting churches, and having our annual physicals. We found out that Chris had some moles that were basal cell (not a huge surprise considering he spends most of his time in Haiti in the sun). They were on both sides of his temples and he had to have minor skin surgery to remove them. The end result of this is that the baseball caps he used to wear do not provide enough protection and he now has to wear a wider-brim hat. It is a new look for him, but very necessary so we don't have to repeat that experience.
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| We were never too concerned about mosquitoes, but that was before. |
Chikungunya-a disease we had never heard of before that we are becoming very familiar with. You never know what life will bring here, but we didn't need another 'new' disease that has become epidemic in Haiti in just a couple of weeks. It is very similar to Dengue. It is a virus that has to run its course. There is no medication to cure it or vaccine to prevent it. People run a high fever, have extreme pain in their bones and joints, and may have headaches, eye pain, very itchy rash, mouth sores, ect. It is completely debilitating and most people are down for about 5 days before feeling better. Many of our employees have now had this along with their children and schoolchildren in our schools. Our village of Titanyen has been hit very hard by this, and we are praying for an end to the suffering. So far, of the 14 Americans on our compound, only Carrie Todd has had a mild case and we are praying that we can remain healthy and teams that are now coming will stay healthy as well. We have never used as much repellent as we are using now and we have fogged areas where they are more plentiful like our clinic. For the last weeks, we have treated many more people with fever and pain than we have treated burns. It is the rainy season, so of course mosquitoes are more plentiful which has greatly magnified the problem.
We are starting into our summer schedule and will have many teams and some camps and conferences over the next 4 months. It is a very busy time for us and we are asking for strength and wisdom as we move into this season.
Phil. 2:13-'For it is God who works in you to will and to act according to his good purpose'. This is what we want as we work here-all for His purpose! We are studying Philippians in our staff
bible study and being exhorted that we need to follow hard after Christ's sacrificial example.
