September 10-16, 2014

A Haitian Creole Proverb:

Lespwa fè viv
Where there’s hope there’s life.

In the early morning of June 1, 2014, an abandoned baby was discovered outside the front gates among the thistle bushes of our Love A Child Orphanage. He had been hidden from sight, but some workers heard a weak cry that they thought was a baby goat. This abandoned child looked to be less than a week old; he was covered with sores and extremely dehydrated.

He needed to be transported to the hospital the next day and registered at the Department of Social Services. There were many legal steps that needed to be taken before we could bring him home to our orphanage.

That day he was taken to the Jesus Healing Center to be examined by one of our doctors, who sent him to the hospital for additional medical care. We made legal arrangements to keep him at our orphanage. We needed a name for this little boy, who someone didn’t want, but we knew his new last name would be Burnette. We all loved him!

We thought he was only a week old, but after we sent him to the hospital, we were told he was probably more than two months old. He was moved to Petit Fre ak Se Hospital in Port-au-Prince, which is a very good hospital for children and babies. We didn’t think he was going to make it for a while, but he did survive.

It was a slow recovery. He had a blood transfusion, and gained some weight and was still hanging in there. After two weeks in the hospital, he finally came home.

This is what happens when parents have no food, no jobs and no hope. They could not face the future with another child and decided to abandon him. He will have a good home now. We named him Elijah, or Eli in Creole.

Two days after he came home from the hospital, Elijah was rushed back to the hospital in an ambulance.

Dr. Mardy from our Jesus Healing Center thought he might have meningitis. He had a fever, arched back, and showed all the signs. It broke our hearts, but I believed God had a plan.

A week later, after numerous tests were run, Baby Elijah was diagnosed with meningitis. This was a very sad day for us. The doctors also thought that he may have some disabilities. We still believed that God could save him.

We then received more bad news, that he had a condition called hydrocephalus, which means “water on the brain.” We waited for doctors to perform surgery for his swelling head, and also to provide follow-up information about his meningitis. Elijah is a “miracle,” and we know the “miracle maker” – his name is Jesus!

This is one of our Love A Child Missionaries Durkje holding Elijah. She sent a note with this photo that read, “I think if Elijah has the operation he will be okay. We don’t know when the team of doctors will be here. God put this little one in our hands and He has a plan for Elijah. We are doing everything possible to help him.”

“Now unto him that is able to do exceeding abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that worketh in us.” Ephesians 3:20 – Baby Elijah remained in serious condition and needed surgery for hydrocephalus (water on the brain) and treatment for meningitis. We thank God for “His exceeding abundant things” that He has done already!

A week had passed and Elijah was not doing well. His hydrocephalus head was growing at a rapid pace and he was having seizures all day long.

He was soon taken to the Hospital Bernard Mevs, where he waited for surgery.

Little Elijah had scans to learn more about his condition.

Two American doctors were able to better control Baby Elijah’s seizures at the Hospital Bernard Mevs in Haiti. We thank the RWH Foundation, Carolyn, and many others who made it possible for us to find these doctors who helped to care for Elijah.

Baby Elijah was in the Haitian Hospital Bernard Mevs for about a week. He was on the waiting list for a hydrocephalus operation – with 50 other babies – and his was scheduled for October 25. Our doctor said that he could not wait that long because his seizures were causing brain damage. We found a Haitian neurologist who agreed to do the surgery in another hospital. This surgery would also depend on whether we could locate a shunt for Baby Elijah. We were in desperate need of a pediatric shunt – a small, contoured, low or medium pressure ventriculoperitoneal shunt. We immediately let our wonderful partners know about this need.

We were in awe of the wonderful response to the plea for this shunt for Baby Elijah. The first facility and group of doctors to respond was from Fawcett Memorial Hospital in Port Charlotte, Florida. Mike Essmann, one of our staff members, drove to the hospital to pick it up, and immediately made plans to fly the shunt to Haiti. He arrived in Haiti only days prior to Elijah’s surgery. The day after the shunt arrived, Elijah went for an appointment with neurologist Ariel Henry.

We have so many loving partners that we received more than one shunt. We also thank David Roehrig, Sarah John, Larry Walker and Metronic for all their help in securing these additional shunts. The shunts came in after Baby Elijah’s surgery, so we will send them to Bernard Mevs Hospital to help many of those little babies, just like Elijah, who so desperately need help.

Baby Elijah went into the Canapé Vert Hospital in Port-au-Prince last Saturday morning for his shunt surgery. We all prayed that the surgery would go well. His medical expenses were about $3,500. We thank the RWH Foundation for sponsoring his surgery. The surgery went well and relieved a lot of pressure.

Baby Elijah came home from the hospital on Monday! The doctors say that he has improved dramatically. Thank you for your concern and prayers. “If ye shall ask any thing in my name, I will do it.” John 14:14 – God answers prayers!

When Baby Elijah arrived home from the hospital, his head was concave because the shunt had drained much of the fluid from his head, but he looked so much better. We are watching the baby everyday. He will need to go to the hospital for a check up as he still has seizures, and we still do not know if there is permanent brain damage.  We are so thankful for what has happened so far!!  God has never failed us yet!

“And the Lord heard the voice of Elijah; and the soul of the child came into him again, and he revived.” 1 Kings 17:22

Thank you all for your prayers and concern for Elijah. We are so thankful for each and every one of you.

Love,

Sherry