Please keep praying...

October was bit crazy. October 9th, Wilckly finally got his passport that he had been trying to renew since June 23rd. Thanks for praying! October 23rd Wilckly and I arrived in Kansas City where we were finally reunited with our children. Wilckly had not seen them for nine months. We had decided it was best if they left Haiti after the earthquake.We didn't know if we would have enough food, run out of food, not be able to get food. We didn't know what sickness and disease might spread after it either.

Well, it has happened. The minute we think it couldn't be worse, cholera attacks Haiti, relentlessly. The disturbing part is how quickly this has spread and how many it has not only killed but also infected. The Haitian people are known for their "iron guts". They do have an immunity to things that would quickly kill you and I but no tolerance or immunity what so ever to cholera. Please pray. You see numbers escalating and reaching 1,344 but to me and my family we hear names and see people we know and love, dying of something we can't control.

What can we do to keep from getting it? Wash hands with soap and water. (Sounds simple but becomes difficult when the water you wash with needs to be shocked with clorox because that is where it is transferred.) Still sounds simple if you have a faucet with running water, which, in most households, is not likely. Treat water with clorox. (Problem: many people can't afford the clorox and are unsure, how much is enough.) Drink bottled water. (Most people can't afford it.) If you get the vomitting and diarrhea you need rehydration fluids immediately, preferrably through an IV but oral rehydration fluids will help buy time.

Fortunately, Wilckly is always thinking ahead and trying to avoid a disaster. We bought a dozen bags of IV fluids and antibiotics before we left Haiti in case someone got sick. While in Bedford, Iowa, some people from the church were wondering how they could help. They took action. They found the amount of salt and sugar neccessary to add to a regular bottle of water. They prepared and labeled 500 of these packets. Wilckly was able to take all of them in his suitcase.

Returning to Haiti, this week one of our masons become ill with the cholera. Having the oral rehydration fluids and IV fluids on hand saved his life. Thanks Mick Ware and those who helped you fill the packets. You made the difference of life and death in Haiti because you were willing to be active instead of passive as far away as Iowa. Thanks for making a differnce! Keep praying!!!