Haiti: Day Seven

Cody started checking vitals bright and early this morning at 7 am which he continued to do repeatedly for the rest of the day. He repeated this routine on at least a couple hundred people. Especially on a lot of sick kids. He kept getting interrupted taking care of more critical patients because between the Mission of Hope medical staff and the 3 visiting medical teams, they were just spread too thin amongst all the patients today. They were running ragged. The clinic isn't large by any means and can't house people of this quantity. Cody said they were just lined up outside the clinic waiting for medical attention. Apparently it's been like this every day, but it's more chaotic because it's Friday. The clinic is closed over the weekend, so people are even more desperate for medical attention. Cody said, "It never ends." The clinic was so backed up today and the doctors weren't anywhere to be found. They're were busy somewhere else, so a lot of the less-demanding sicknesses fell on Cody and a few nurses. The doctors were being pulled in all directions as more serious people dominated their attention. Cody still had emergencies coming in needing transport which pulled Cody away from the normal clinic at times. Cody said, "There's just no time. I'm so stinkin' busy. You have no idea." The clinic closes every day at 3 pm - 2 pm our time. There were still 60 people waiting in line to be seen 30 minutes to closing. Cody's feet are killing him. At 4 pm - 3 pm our time - the clinic is still open and still seeing tons of people. Around dinner time, Cody attended to a few patients involved in a car wreck. One of the victims was a 2 year old who had a huge gash on his forehead and a broken ankle. The rest of the evening Cody played with the children at the orphanage. He had fun.

Learning a little more about Nicole Jean Pierre. She seems to be a beautiful spirit. She has about 3 years of high school left. She is behind due to all that has happened. She lives at the orphanage there at Mission of Hope. She has no siblings. A family in Oklahoma sponsors her. I have been exploring options of how legally to get her into the U.S. Any suggestions? I am completely clueless even though I've look at the immigration website.

Charlie and the little Pringles girl, Rochelle, from previous posts are Claudell's kids. Claudell is the worship pastor at Mission of Hope. Such cute kids. They live at the Mission of Hope in the little room next to where Cody stayed.

Please pray for safe travel home over the next two days. Cody is dreading it. Now that the work is done, he just wants to be home. He will have the 6-hour bus ride back to the Dominican Republic tomorrow. Then fly out to Miami Sunday morning. Once in Miami, the team will have an 8-hour layover before flying to Dallas. He will not be home until 1 am. Cody plans on working Monday at the fire station. He will be exhausted. Please keep his sleeplessness, exhaustion and stress about working in your prayers. Pray Monday is a SLOW day.

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I received an email from Cody's Aunt Angi, whom we adore. Her encouraging words are comforting today.

Dear Alison & Cody:

Stan and I can't tell you how proud we are of BOTH of you.. so full of humanity (at such a young age). I hope I don't sound toooo old :)

I tried to send our admiration via "the comment" section a couple of days ago. But I don't seem to have the passwords that are needed.

I'm sorry you're having to see some of the worst in Haiti. But it sounds like you're also seeing some of the best! CNN keeps trying to bring some of the more hopeful stories to the forefront. If you have people you'd like us to feature.. please let me know who they are and where our crews can find them.

Thanks for all you do.. every day.

Give the little guy a hug for us. I can't wait to meet him, finally.. this spring. We're heading to Oklahoma the first week of May!

Love always,
Angi (& your Uncle Stan)

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I also received an email from my incredible mother-in-law. A bit of intercession and prophecy brings peace today. God is with Cody.

Hi babe, I read the blog this morning about Cody's hard day yesterday and alerted my prayer warriors on my Christian loop. These women can pray down heaven and are. I'm getting so many emails of encouragement and prayer for Cody. Please tell him that. One lady sent a word from the Lord she received as she was praying for Cody:“I am in you, showing my love for these people through you.” Love you. Tell my baby I love him. Lg