A lot has been happening this summer; a successful trip to Haiti, preparation of a container leaving here this month, a large medicine order placed, a new ultrasound machine arriving soon, and many supplies being purchased and donated.

Haiti in July! Hot and humid. Bryan Johnson, Evert Bek, and myself returned late Sunday night from a nine-day visit to CSL. We might think summer in Michigan is hot, but nothing truly prepares you for the heat and humidity in Haiti. A lot of sweating and a lot of water was drunk on this trip. We were quite thankful to be spoiled and sleep in A/C. Our focus for the week was repairing and maintaining the equipment used at CSL. The solar system, generators, lab equipment, and sterilizer are just some of the equipment we worked on. We also finished the guest house we have been working on for almost 2 years, allowing us to move out of the administration building and freeing up much needed space.

We had the opportunity of partnering with the MEBSH church that neighbors the hospital and lead a mobile medical mission about an hour from CSL, ministering to those who have difficulty reaching the hospital. In addition to assisting in the medical clinic, the church also led a 2-day evangelistic event. Roughly 100 church members went out into the community, spreading food and the gospel to their village. It was awesome to see.

There were several people suffering from medical issues who haven’t been able to receive treatment. Among them was a seventeen-year-old (pictured below on the left) involved in an accident. Without basic treatment for her foot and hip, she has had to use a crutch to get around. We are going to provide some physical therapy, hoping to regain some movement. We also met this young boy (pictured on the right) who’s one leg is 2 inches shorter than the other and needs help with special shoes to assist with walking. These examples are very common in Haiti; we help those we can, but the need is so great.

Preparation is under way for a container shipping on July 30. It’s been 1.5 years since we last sent one, and we are prioritizing the most important things to send. There is an incredible amount of work done by many to gather, package, sort, and label the items we send, which range from maintenance supplies, medical supplies, medical equipment, construction supplies, and personal items. Everything currently needs a good restock. Hopefully we can send another container soon, but the cost has risen a lot. Estimates for this container is close to twenty thousand. A big thank you to all who have volunteered your time, products, or money to help make this possible!

We continue to send vital supplies via Agape Flights almost weekly. A special thanks to them and to the NRC Disaster Fund who have been a huge blessing in helping cover a lot of shipping expenses.

Last year we had the funds for a new ultrasound machine, but redirected the money to purchase a new x-ray machine when the current broke. We are excited that we again raised enough money to order a new ultrasound machine, which we hope to receive soon.

Getting medicine to the hospital has been a continuing problem for many reasons. We were recently able to make arrangements to have a good supply sent. The order is in process and should be there soon. I’m sure once this order is received we will start the ordering process right away again, as this one has been in the works since February.

CSL remains one of a few, if not the only, fully functioning hospitals in Southern Haiti. As people continue to flee Port Au Prince and move to the Les Cayes area, the hospital has experienced the increased demand of their services. I haven’t seen so many people at the hospital every day and night before. Our staff has also increased in size and grown in experience. We are thankful for their efforts to better serve the Haitian people.

We have started the process of enrolling our lesser paid staff’s children in school this year. Last year we enrolled 68 children, along with one who is in medical school and another who is doing a general surgery residence program. This is so important for the future of Haiti. We hope to expand this program when we have the needed resources, as our desire is to be able to enroll all of our staff’s children.

We thank each of you for your support of this ministry and appreciate your prayers. During this trip and while preparing to send this container, we have seen so many ways in which God has both provided for our needs and paved the way for necessary things to happen. We are thankful for His guidance and leading.

Dan Boerman