Posted in Personal Stories

Tender Moment With Santa Claus…

A few days ago we had the pleasure of visiting with Mr. Santa Claus himself. His wife helped place all of us around the couch! The twins would NOT go to Santa  – so Jose and I had to step into the picture. (And you know I don’t do pictures!) Mrs. Claus asked me about the make-up of our family (which most people wonder about)! Malaya said – You’re supposed to already know that!

There wasn’t much of a line behind us and so we chatted quite a while! Mrs. Claus was in tears and Santa asked if he could pray with us! Santa told me that Gigi was precious and that there’s a special place in Heaven for sweet little girls like that! It was rather a tender moment. Left me in tears.

When we went to pay for our picture – it was free! The girls couldn’t wait to tell their Mamita that Santa prayed with them!

THANK YOU SANTA!

 

 

Posted in Mission Stories, NW_Frontpage, NW_Medical, Personal Stories

Magdala’s Week With The Jacksonville Crew!

Magdala had quite the busy week!! These are updates sent to me from Theresa Schroeder! She really did an amazing job coordinating this week for Magdala. I talked to Magdala on the phone today and she told me it was an eye-opening week for her. (Thanks Terri for sending me the pictures).

She saw the dentist! She had a 9AM dental appt at Kevin Harrington office….full mouth xrays, teeth cleaned & 5 cavities (2 bottom front teeth significant).

Magdala then went to Steve Lillpop office, toured & started immunizations. (Total of 5 vaccines).

Magdala had an eye appointment. She has very small cataracts but nothing to worry about now. She needs 2+ reading glasses…only.

Magdala went to the Chiropractor because said she fell & hurt her knee. Following that visit she had an appointment with Teke Karsguard and got a therapeutic massage. Magdala said she fell asleep during it.

It is snowing & Magdala is cold. We took Magdala to the In His Service Warehouse this afternoon & secured warm gloves. She is getting new scrubs for everyone in the Birthing Center.  We are also packing gifts for Magdala’s family (10 in her house since the earthquake) The extra luggage will be taken to Indiana to ship in later.

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Magdala has had another busy day. She seemed to really enjoy Lillpop’s hospital tour. A bathroom in every patient room! A phone in every patient room! A TV in every patient room!

OB delivery room…hand held remote that changes direction of the lights for better visibility…no holding a flashlight or oil light anywhere. A room for C-section’s only. A monitor that measures & records contractions in the patient rooms but the staff can sit outside the room at a desk or nurses station & monitor the patients activity. A kitchen with a refrigerator, food, ice machine, microwave, sinks everywhere. The outside & inside of the patients room had hand sanitizers…kills germs & bacteria on your hands…actually located in the halls everywhere.

The surgery department was just too much to comprehend all at once. We did go in the staff lounge…full. Close to 8hr shift quitting time. Magdala was actually quite talkative & explained some differences between USA & Haiti. She ended by inviting all the staff to go to Haiti & most of all to pray for Haiti.

ED & ICU was also high on the list…generated quite a few questions.

Magdala will be shadowing Terry (pediatric nurse) at work tonight 11pm-7am. She came by the warehouse for 2 sets of scrubs & scrub tops. The hospital took a picture of her & made her her own name badge!

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Terry said they worked all night. Magdala started at 11PM and went straight to OB for 3hrs. She got permission from staff, Mom & family. The doctor spoke English & French to her. Magdala said he treated her very kind. A 1st baby gason (boy) 9lb 6oz…all went well. But this is a BIG baby (Haiti’s average around 6lbs). Terry got called to ED & general floor… besides Peds. Magdala got to see medical staff in action in several different departments & medical situations. All with her new name badge on!!! Wow, is He good or what ???

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Kevin Harrington continued Magdala’s dental work yesterday, Steve Lillpop co-ordinating her Hep A&B immunizations. Magdala said her arm is sore today… I can’t imagine why…only received 7 vaccinations in 2 days. Magdala may never volunteer to visit us again!!!

Terry’s mom Gwen (a kind & thoughtful RN) has plans for Magdala to attend a noted school Christmas function in Springfield tonight. Called a Glee…should be colorful, loud & lively. Many of you are aware Magdala’s husband Alex is the head schoolmaster in Haiti. Seeing this large school…will be a contrast. Incidentally Magdala is the children’s & ladies choir director at church…loves good music as most Haitians do.

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NOREL & EDWARD EACH GAVE MAGDALA HER OWN PRIVATE  PIANO RECITAL SINGLE & AS A DUET OF LUDWIG VON BEETHOVEN. MAGDALA ENJOYED THEIR MUSICAL ABILITIES…ESPECIALLY AT 9&10.

MAGDALA REALLY ENJOYED STELA’S HOMEMADE CHICKEN NOODLE STEW, FRESH SALAD & BREAD.

A BIG THANKS TO EVERYONE FOR ALL YOUR PRAYERS & MANY ACTS OF GENEROSITY & KINDNESS. MAGDALA KEPT US ALL ON TIME BY LOOKING AT HER NEW WATCH!!

BECAUSE HE PAID IT ALL!!