Friday, April 30, 2010

New Beginnings

Greetings,

In our last update we let you know about two of the orphans, Job and Smider, which we were able to bring to Texas on March 29th for medical procedures.  Here is an update on how they are adjusting to life in the United States.

Smider Cilly was born November 29th, 2009. His mother was incapable of providing the care he needed, and abandoned him at Mission of Hope. Smider was placed into the care of Hope for Haiti on February 22, 2010. He was examined by the American doctors at Mission of Hope and diagnosed with Hydrocephalus. Hydrocephalus is a build up of fluid inside the skull, leading to brain swelling. Hydrocephalus means "water on the brain". While in Haiti, Smider was in the care of the physicians at Mission of Hope Hospital. They would measure and record the size of his head. They found that the swelling was increasing. Smider was in pain and very uncomfortable. The Hope for Haiti team worked to get his birth certificate, passport and travel visa so he could travel to Austin and be placed in the care of the doctors and nurses at Dell Children’s Medical Center. On Monday, March 29th, Smider flew to Austin accompanied by a doctor and his wife. On arrival he was immediately transported to Dell Children’s Medical Center and admitted. He was tested and examined for four days and was found to be healthy. God has healed him! We praise Him for this miracle. Smider is now in the loving care of his sponsor family, with two older brothers who lay down their lives for him. They are constantly involved in holding him and keeping him happy.

Job Jeremie was found at the gates of Mission of Hope in late January, just weeks after the earthquake. He had been left anonymously. God knew that this was the best place for Job. For the first few days he was treated and cared for by the Mission of Hope staff, and then he was transported to the U.S.N.S Comfort, a floating hospital. He was known as John Doe, or Johnny D. He could not give his name. Job was described by caregivers on board as a “wild, feral child who acted like an abused animal”. He refused to be touched, and neither laughed nor smiled. His body was covered with pre-cancerous growths from his rare skin condition, xeroderma pigmentosum, and his right eye had squamaus cell cancer. He was extremely malnourished. His right eye was removed, and covered by a skin graft from his thigh. Slowly the love and kindness being shown to Job by the crew of doctors, nurses and caregivers on the Comfort began to transform him. Wow, what a lesson! He opened up and began to reciprocate affection. He was healing and gaining strength. Job was transported back to Mission of Hope, where he was under the care of the doctors and the Hope for Haiti team. He was given a name, Job Jeremie, and a May 29, 2001 birth date. He developed an infection where his eye had been removed, and it became imperative that he be flown to Dell Children’s Medical Center in Austin for emergency care. On Monday, March 29th, Job flew with Bill Neusch to Austin, and he was admitted immediately into Dell. For the past four weeks Job has undergone examinations, treatments, surgical procedures, and numberless IV’s. He was tested for both HIV and TB and both results came back negative. He has been surrounded with the constant companionship and love of a dedicated group of volunteers. There have been challenges, but Job’s healing continues.

On Monday, April 26th Job was released into the home of a temporary foster family. Job’s skin condition requires that he not be exposed to sunlight. This foster family has a daughter, age 9, with the same condition, so their home and vehicles are set up to prevent UV ray contact. Please join us in thanks and praise for all the Father has done for Job and pray for his continued healing in all areas of his life.

The links below lead to stories about Job, formally known as Johnny Doe, while he was being treated aboard the Comfort. They will touch your heart.

http://blogriverside.wordpress.com/2010/03/09/johnny-doe-gets-a-new-home-and-a-new-name/

http://www.today.ucla.edu/portal/ut/tales-from-haiti-johnny-d-154526.aspx

http://changinglivesstorybook.blogspot.com/2010/03/we-called-him-john-doe.html

It has been an incredible blessing to every person that has been involved in this mission. God has healed and will continue to heal these boys. God has used these boys to touch the soul of everyone who has come into contact with them. Smider has a calm beauty about him and Job has an infectious joy for life and people. They are blessed; we are blessed. Thank You Lord! We pray that we will stay in God’s perfect will as we continue to look for orphans to assist.
 
Thank you to EVERYONE for your prayers and care.  Your efforts are bearing good fruit.

Hope for Haiti Inc.

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