Thursday, November 29, 2012

Haiti Updates. Nelson doing ok.

Nelson seemed to perk up a bit yesterday.  He was able to talk to his mother by Skype as well as Evens.  He got back on Facebook for the first time in a week, which is a good sign that he's starting to gain interest in doing things again.   He did have a fever last night, which is concerning, and they started him on two different antibiotics.


Haiti After the Earthquake
This wonderfully written article by James Bishop was published online on 11/27/12.  It was a true blessing to have my Uncle Jim come out to Pestel with us, and to hear and see Haiti from his perspective.  He has done a marvelous job of capturing so many important elements.  I encourage you to read it and pass it on!  
During his trip he was able to interview a bunch of people in Pestel, and as time permits he will be writing those up for us.  This will give you a more personal look at what it is like to live in Pestel, and who some of the local unsung heroes/heroines are.  As these are developed you will be able to see them also on our website.


Risk Takers: Ordinary People Doing the Extraordinary

A moving documentary,focusing on three ordinary people, finding courage and relying on their faith, they change the world.


One of our friends, Jennifer Davis-Lewis, is working on developing a documentary based on the experiences of several individuals in the South Central Pennsylvania area who are doing work in Haiti.  You can read more about it at the link above.  Please consider passing this on to others who might have interest in supporting this effort.  While this will include some of the work we've been doing, it will also likely include mention to a number of organizations that have contributed substantially to this work, including Variety International, Water Missions International, Vitamin Angels, Heifer International, Sisters of St. Francis from Sylvania OH, Angel Missions Haiti, etc etc. 


Concert for Christian Health Care Missions in Haiti 


Please feel free to print out the attached flyer announcing the upcoming benefit concert for Thriving Villages, to be held at Slate Hill Mennonite Church on December 9th at 6:30pm.  
Hope to see you there!

Ben 
--
President, Thriving Villages International

Thriving Villages website:  www.thrivingvillages.org
Thriving Villages blog:  http://thrivingvillages.blogspot.com/


I do not doubt that the modern Western church badly needs a lot of things, one of them being more confidence that God is working powerfully among us and wants us to do more than we have been willing to do in his service.   John G. Stackhouse



Monday, November 26, 2012

Nelson: off the breathing machine, resting

Nelson's breathing tube was removed around noon today.  He's still very weak and tired, but his pain is well-controlled.  He requires some oxygen by face mask and he still has various tubes and IVs connected (that had to be put in again for the emergency surgery). There is no evidence so far of any new bleeding, and they have a drain in place to help monitor that.

Ben

--
President, Thriving Villages International

Thriving Villages website:  www.thrivingvillages.org
Thriving Villages blog:  http://thrivingvillages.blogspot.com/


I do not doubt that the modern Western church badly needs a lot of things, one of them being more confidence that God is working powerfully among us and wants us to do more than we have been willing to do in his service.   John G. Stackhouse



Sunday, November 25, 2012

Nelson's surgery successful

Nelson came through the surgery very well.  The surgeon and anesthesia team did an incredibly skillful job of handling this high risk surgery.  

I am amazed how they were able to manage this situation since Nelson's blood is (intentionally) very thin and unable to clot normally.  That makes doing any procedure risky, but open surgery (which is what he had to have) in the setting of organ failure is really dicey.  

He is now receiving blood transfusions (his blood count is quite low) and he remains on a ventilator through the night.  But the ICU team is very pleased with his vital signs, and they are monitoring him closely.

We are grateful with you for the grace of God working through the hands and minds of the surgical and medical team.

Ben

--
President, Thriving Villages International

Thriving Villages website:  www.thrivingvillages.org
Thriving Villages blog:  http://thrivingvillages.blogspot.com/


I do not doubt that the modern Western church badly needs a lot of things, one of them being more confidence that God is working powerfully among us and wants us to do more than we have been willing to do in his service.   John G. Stackhouse



Nelson: emergency surgery underway

Nelson was just taken for emergency surgery.  He is having a large collection of blood accumulating around the heart.   The heart is functioning fine, but is liver and kidneys are not working properly.  Also, his blood is very thin (which is necessary for his valve) but adds complication to this surgery.
 
This is all very new information, learned over the past half-hour or so.  Please pray for Nelson's safety during and after surgery. 
 
Ben

--
President, Thriving Villages International

Thriving Villages website:  www.thrivingvillages.org
Thriving Villages blog:  http://thrivingvillages.blogspot.com/


I do not doubt that the modern Western church badly needs a lot of things, one of them being more confidence that God is working powerfully among us and wants us to do more than we have been willing to do in his service.   John G. Stackhouse



Tuesday, November 20, 2012

Nelson post-op update: He's doing ok!

Hi all,

Nelson underwent open heart surgery this morning to replace his mitral valve.  He was transferred to the PICU (peds ICU) at about 3pm and extubated (breathing tube removed) soon after.  I just got back from visiting him.  He is groggy/sleepy, but he looks ok (all things considered!).    He still has a number of lines and tubes in place.

He will be in the hospital through the weekend, according to the latest update from the surgical staff.  He may be coming home around Tuesday (though that's a rough estimate).  

One cool thing:  the PICU just got new beds (in anticipation of the new Children's Hospital opening in January)...and the beds have a list of phrases that can be spoken to the patient in about 25 languages.  Phrases like, "take a deep breath" or "we will check your blood pressure now" (something like that).  

I'm sure he would appreciate visitors once he's feeling better.  This would be really helpful to us over Friday-Sunday in particular.   If anyone is interested in visiting him and spending a little bit of time, ,just let us know.   The PICU staff has asked that we provide a list of people who will be visiting.

It has been incredibly encouraging to all of us, and especially Nelson, to see so many people who are asking about him and praying for him.  Our pastor had him (and us) come up front on Sunday to pray for him, kids have drawn cards for him, people have donated items, and all of these kindnesses have really helped to boost his spirit.

Happy Thanksgiving!
Ben
--
President, Thriving Villages International

Thriving Villages website:  www.thrivingvillages.org
Thriving Villages blog:  http://thrivingvillages.blogspot.com/

It is not enough to claim harmlessness; we are to accomplish positive good, and those who do not are wasting God's resources. John G. Stackhouse



Monday, November 19, 2012

Volunteer Help Wanted for Thriving Villages: Grant Writing

How To Save Lives in Pestel, Haiti:
Need for Grant-Writers


We can double the number of children we reach with medications and health screenings in the remote mountains of Pestel, Haiti. 

In 2013 we have funding to supply medications and screening to 6,000 children.  In 2012 we supplied medications and screening to 10,000 children, but due to a national wage policy change in Haiti, our ability to reach all the villages in Pestel will be reduced to almost 50 percent in 2013.  

Currently the health field workers traverse the mountainous region of Pestel largely on foot, and they tend to reach only the villages near or along the roads.  Purchasing motorcycles for the health workers will help them reach the furthest child in the furthest village much more efficiently. 

Motorcycles for each of the five land-based sections in Pestel means the workers will substantially reduce the wasted time currently spent walking from village to village.  They will then increase their impact by reaching children in the mountain villages.  

We need $6,000  to purchase six motorcycles ($1,000 per motorcycle)  One for each section and two for the largest section.

We believe one-time purchases of motorcycles (with some required upkeep and fuel costs) is a very good use of funds because we have trained individuals who know the area well but are limited by time.

If you know any organization we could contact, would you consider writing an introductory letter that we can attach to our request?  Or if you know someone who might be interested in helping to write some grants for this purpose, please email me at BenFredrick@gmail.com.  Thanks for your continued support.

Sincerely,
Dr. Ben Fredrick


--
President, Thriving Villages International

Thriving Villages website:  www.thrivingvillages.org
Thriving Villages blog:  http://thrivingvillages.blogspot.com/

It is not enough to claim harmlessness; we are to accomplish positive good, and those who do not are wasting God's resources. John G. Stackhouse



Wednesday, November 14, 2012

Thriving Villages International Benefit Concert: December 9th at 6:30pm, Slate Hill Mennonite Church

Hi all,

Please see the flyer attached and feel free to give these out, forward them along, promote the evening event!  This will be a really nice evening and I'm looking forward to it!  Professional photographer, Steve Miller, will also be bringing some of his photos from Pestel for display.  There will be opportunity to purchase some of his gorgeous work as well.

Ben



--
President, Thriving Villages International

Thriving Villages website:  www.thrivingvillages.org
Thriving Villages blog:  http://thrivingvillages.blogspot.com/

"The Christian in face of the suffering of others is the man called by God, through the bond of faith, to go to the help of others to relieve their suffering."  Paul Tournier

Tuesday, November 13, 2012

Nelson's heart surgery rescheduled for November 20th (Tuesday)

Just a quick update:

We were able to get Nelson in for a dental extraction yesterday (which was required), and now his surgery is planned for next Tuesday.  

He was able to talk to his parents on Sunday and everyone seems upbeat and happy for him!

Ben
--
President, Thriving Villages International

Thriving Villages website:  www.thrivingvillages.org
Thriving Villages blog:  http://thrivingvillages.blogspot.com/

"The Christian in face of the suffering of others is the man called by God, through the bond of faith, to go to the help of others to relieve their suffering."  Paul Tournier


Thursday, November 8, 2012

Nelson's surgery postponed

Hi all,

This is the update on Nelson's surgery.   He had his appointment with peds cardiology yesterday and apparently he has a VERY dilated/large left atrium (upper chamber of the heart) because his failed valve.  That is causing some build-up of fluid in his lungs.   This also happened 5 years ago before his last surgery.

Today we met with the surgeon as well as anesthesia.  Those visits went very smoothly.  

At the visit yesterday the peds cardiologist had concerns about at least one of Nelson's teeth, and he asked that Nelson be seen before surgery.

MANY thanks to our friends, Abby and Jim, who were willing to get him in today to Jim's practice for evaluation.  We really appreciate it!!

The verdict from that visit is that Nelson will have to have a tooth extracted next week, and that will postpone his heart surgery for several weeks.

I think the timing on all of this has simply been astonishingly beautiful.  Consider that it was about 8 weeks ago when we first heard about Nelson's symptoms...then I visited him about 4 weeks ago and sent my evaluation to the surgical specialists here.  Then Nelson's paperwork got processed last week...he was able to get a plane ticket to the US last Friday (despite all the tremendous havoc still ongoing from the storm, shutting down many of the main airports in our region).  Then the quick turn-around on the pre-op visits, including the dental appointment (which was literally 1 hour after his visit with the surgeon this morning!).  

It's all good!

Ben

--
President, Thriving Villages International

Thriving Villages website:  www.thrivingvillages.org
Thriving Villages blog:  http://thrivingvillages.blogspot.com/

"The Christian in face of the suffering of others is the man called by God, through the bond of faith, to go to the help of others to relieve their suffering."  Paul Tournier


Saturday, November 3, 2012

Nelson is in the US!



Nelson arrived last night with Vanessa, and Vanessa just flew out to head to her home in VA.  

Thanks to all who have dropped off clothes, food, other items (wheelchair etc).  




--
President, Thriving Villages International

Thriving Villages website:  www.thrivingvillages.org
Thriving Villages blog:  http://thrivingvillages.blogspot.com/

"The Christian in face of the suffering of others is the man called by God, through the bond of faith, to go to the help of others to relieve their suffering."  Paul Tournier


Friday, November 2, 2012

Nelson's surgery has been scheduled for November 12

We anticipate that Nelson will arrive in Harrisburg tonight with Vanessa at around 10pm.  He has some pre-op visits scheduled for next week, and then surgery is scheduled on Monday, November 12th.  


Yesterday morning we told our kids that Nelson would be coming Friday and ended it with "God is good!"   To which Ellie replied, "No, God is great!"  

Later that day Jen was telling me about a prayer Ellie had prayed on Monday.  It went something like this,

"Dear God, please let everything happen for Nelson in order.  Let him get his passport tomorrow, then his visa the next day, then his plane ticket the next, and then come here the next day."  

That's just about how it happened, too.

Our kids are seeing with us how God is bringing this about.  And faith in God matters.

Ben  

--
President, Thriving Villages International

Thriving Villages website:  www.thrivingvillages.org
Thriving Villages blog:  http://thrivingvillages.blogspot.com/

"The Christian in face of the suffering of others is the man called by God, through the bond of faith, to go to the help of others to relieve their suffering."  Paul Tournier


Thursday, November 1, 2012

Nelson to arrive Friday evening in Harrisburg!!

Nelson and Vanessa will be arriving in Harrisburg Friday night (around 10pm)!!!  This will be after a long day of flights from Haiti.

We are SO thankful that the process went smoothly this week. Nelson got his Passport this week, then his medical visa the next day, and his plane ticket last evening.  

Apparently the man at the embassy saw Nelson's heart thumping through his shirt and asked if his shirt was moving because of his heart condition  (the answer is "yes").  That helped make the case.  The thing about medical visas from Hatii to the US:  it is not a done-deal.  So we are really thankful there is no delay.

We'll find out soon about the dates for pre-op visits, surgery, etc.  

If any are inclined, a donation to Angel Missions Haiti would be particularly a good idea.  There is a need to cover the cost of the tickets (about $1200) and there were expenses related to getting the passport & visa ($800).   Any amount would be appreciated, I'm certain.

Angel Missions Haiti--paypal:



Thanks to all for your prayers and encouragement!
Ben and Jen

--
President, Thriving Villages International

Thriving Villages website:  www.thrivingvillages.org
Thriving Villages blog:  http://thrivingvillages.blogspot.com/

"The Christian in face of the suffering of others is the man called by God, through the bond of faith, to go to the help of others to relieve their suffering."  Paul Tournier