Hi All:

I have not written for a bit, partially because life has been rather hectic and also, the donkey’s mind is not clear as to what to say to you all. However, in the past, that has not stopped me from trying, so will do so again.

It has been busy as I am back in Haiti for the 3rd time in 9 weeks, so that leaves little time to do things in the US, as it usually takes a week to catch up on everything in the office and at home that didn’t get done while I was in Haiti, then a week to try to tie up loose ends before I leave, so that has left just a week in the middle to make any progress on life in the US. Of course, the week here is somewhat similar and last time, when we left in a hurry to beat Hurricane Erika to Port au Prince, there were more than the usual jobs left undone, including somehow not saving my medical committee notes that I was in the process of taking down in the meeting when Rod called to inform me of the impending weather situation. After all these years, he knows his friend is blissfully unaware of the news around him. Plus, with Dr. Poelman leaving our practice after 33 years, and with the electronic medical records now required by our government, we feel like the business is sinking the way we like to practice medicine, trying to be personal and taking enough time to properly understand and care for the patients. Our office is struggling to comply with the unreasonable demands of the system and still do good medicine. Thus, we spent the last week adjusting to trying to take care of 3 doctor’s patients with only 2 of us, figuring out how we can prioritize the things that absolutely must be done and maybe doing some things that need to be done. Not sure we have done so well and pray that our patients will be able to be patient with the changes? There is no question that there will be some frustrated patients to add to our frustrated staff. Sigh.

Regarding my health, Karen and I have been struggling to figure out what I can eat and drink without precipitating the nausea, vomiting and severe abdominal cramps for 24-36 hours that I had three times in the 3 weeks at home. It acts more like bowel obstruction rather than the less troublesome “dumping syndrome” of the last 2 years due to losing the majority of my stomach. She has been preparing a variety of protein laced, lactose free drinks, of which I consume about 2 1/2 glasses daily between patients and that constitutes some safe nourishment. Mashed potatoes, bread and some eggs, plus pureed food compliment the diet and keep the scrawny donkey from looking like a scarecrow for the festivities of the fall season. I did another CT scan on the 6th of August but the doctor has yet to see a copy in Pittsburgh.

Karen and I found 2 gently used surgical texts on the internet that are sort of the “Bible” for surgical trainees. These are in English but Drs. William and Adulte will just have to do their best. Beth Newton found 3 French medical texts, one on internal medicine, one for diagnostic techniques and an anatomy/physiology text that we had ordered for the hospital library here a year or so ago, somehow it was lost in her parent’s basement and thus, at that time, I purchased another set, so I figured that would help the two doctors for reference as they adjust back to the academic environment up in Cap Haitian. I took all 5 books along, but they weighed 46 pounds by themselves, so couldn’t take them in my suitcase even if I took nothing else and ended up having a 44 pound carry on with 4 of them that I managed to get to Haiti unscathed. The suitcase, with the 5th book and other goods, was 49lbs, so I think I got my money’s worth on this trip. Unfortunately, American Airlines is cutting down on “underutilized flights” and cancelled the first flight into Haiti, sending a larger plane for the other two Miami flights, but, of course, leaving later in the day. The flights went well but I got to the hospital 3 hours later than usual, so clinic ran very late Sunday.

Some of you may have received from Dan Boerman our version of the 2016 plans, so if this is a bit repetitious, remember that donkeys have limited memory and forgive the situation. Plus, we wanted to share this with those not on his update list. Since most of the buildings at the hospital are set up, a GREAT BLESSING to us all, we thank the hundreds of people who have worked to make this possible, both on the US and the Haitian side, as well as the many who contributed financially to accomplish this goal to the glory of God. Thus, we plan to send more frequent, but smaller teams of maybe 4 people at a time to repair the grounds and equipment that constantly are breaking down and need attention. Preventative maintenance is an unheard of concept here, as testified to by the many carcasses of vehicles that are scattered all over both ON as well as BESIDE the roadways. Additionally, we hope to raise some funds to help the poorest of our employees, at least 25 or so guards, cleaning ladies, groundskeepers, etc., who previously made less than $100 US/month before the economy went downhill here, which is closer to $75 at present. Since we seem to be able to get a fair amount of used but still great quality steel in the US, we hope to ship this down and use it to help perhaps three families per year in this predicament, 2 of them hospital employees from the above category, plus one person from the hospital area each year. We will help them have a place to call home for their family. We are in the planning stages, but want to find a way to do this that will be seen as fair and equitable and not cause further frustration for these poor folks. We certainly need God’s guidance as to how to proceed in this endeavor.

Additionally, we will need to supplement Drs. William and Adulte during their training period, as each has a family to support as well as the extra costs of schooling and traveling back and forth when possible to their families. Thus, we are planning on supplementing their income to about $850 /month for the 4 years of training. I have hired one replacement doctor, will interview a second this week and pray that they will be able to fill the gap left at the hospital by the temporary departure of 2 of our pillars in the medical department. Thus, if any of you would be willing to consider if God might be leading you to help us in this category or for the building projects mentioned above, send donations to either Byron Center Bible Church Haiti Fund (8855 Byron Center Ave, Byron Center, MI 49315) or Centre de Sante Lumiere-USA (c/o Dan Boerman, PVI Industrial Washing, 2886 Clydon, SW, Wyoming, MI 49519 and designate it for the appropriate fund and cause. We all thank you in advance for your help as we continue to try to serve our Lord faithfully in Haiti at Centre de Sante Lumiere, Cayes.

In His Service,

Bill T