Real Hope for Haiti

March 20/17 James flew out of Kalamazoo Michigan to Cazale Haiti to install and train at Real Hope for Haiti. This was a brand new lab install. From the pictures you can see that it was also a very small lab install! 

 Before 

 After 

Training and certificates given 

As with many lab installations, there can be things that happen that are unexpected. This trip was no exception. 

Below is an excerpt from the Borody's update that they send out to friends and family; we would like to share it with you to show God's Hand in all things:

'...Thanks for your prayers this week while I was in Cazale , Haiti at Real Hope for Haiti. It was a busy week.

Travel to and from Haiti was fairly uneventful.....just a very late return last night.

 

The staff at the clinic were thrilled to see an empty room transformed into a functioning lab. Before this week, they had to send their patients many miles to the nearest lab, where their results would take weeks to come back. They can now do these tests on site.

 

A brief story of God's provision and sovereignty....

 

After unpacking everything the first day and starting training, I realized that I had made an error in packing one of the items that was critical for training. It is packaged in a similar way to another item, but by "accident", I packed 2 of the other items, and not the one I really needed. It could have brought the training to a complete halt...but God had other plans!

 

On my way to the clinic, I passed two other clinics that I have been to in the past. I knew that they would have the item I needed, and could spare it, so I was able to contact them to confirm. My hosts graciously took me back down the very rocky road to borrow what I needed to continue the training.

 

While I was there, I noticed an analyzer that I had installed in Oct. just sitting idle and unplugged. After further investigation, I was told that it had malfunctioned months ago, but no one let me know. I took it with me to try to fix it in my "free time" in the evening.

 

I worked on it for several hours, but to no avail. So, I packed it up, and prepared it for shipping with me back to the US. The next day, God prompted me to email the manufacturer to get their ideas for onsite repair. I feared that an electronic board had been damaged. They wrote me back very quickly and gave me some things to try. After a second attempt - I was successful!

 

I was able to return the instrument to the original lab on my way to the airport on Friday morning. It is now running well, and providing the doctors with meaningful test results...

 

I would never have known about these instrumentation errors and other issues if I had not made my "accidental" packing error. God knew what He was doing  - as always - to make me aware of the issues in the other labs. Thankfully, they were fairly close by to Cazale.

 

I amazes me how He orchestrates these "routine" installations into something much more...'

 

 

Project Congo, Goma Congo.

February 25 - March 5/17 found James in Goma Congo. This was his 5th visit to Congo; second with Project Congo.
After landing in Rwanda and spending the night in Kigali (capital), James and the 2 gals that he traveled with headed to Goma Congo by road.

It is a 3 hour ride through Rwanda, and the country side is quite beautiful. 

It was raining quite heavily during the trip across the border. Here James was able to snap a picture of a cyclist 'hitching' a ride on the back of a transport truck going uphill.


Once across the border into Congo, 2 of the 4 boxes that accompanied James were detained at Customs for 2.5 days. James was able to unpack in the lab what he had on hand. The lab was small but very workable.

Once the boxes were released, training began. Since training time was limited to 1.5 days, the days were long and intense for the lab staff. James was very impressed with their comprehension, and understanding of the French while being taught.

 Once the final hours of training were complete, certificates were given out to the very tired, but appreciative lab staff.

Bags packed and waiting for the next adventure. 

International Mission Hospital (IHDN) Wheta Ghana, West Africa.

January 26/17 James found himself boarding a flight bound for Ghana, West Africa with a team heading to International Mission Hospital in Wheta. It had been many years since WWLAB visited IMH. 

After 3 flights, and a lengthy van ride from Accra to Wheta, James was able to see the lab. His first thought was '...where is it, this looks like a closet?'. He was reassured that he was standing in the lab. 

With much creative thought, and moving of old and new equipment, a new set up was arranged to accommodate everything. 

Part of the new arrangement for the lab was the tearing down of a wall that would create a larger space for the lab staff. This new space was once the designated area for X-Ray but was never used. 

 One of the blessings of going to a new hospital/clinic is the forging of new friendships. Here is the lab staff with James.
You can imagine how 'tight a squeeze' it was in a very small room.

James with Dr. A and his wife outside of the Hospital. 

These suitcases have been many places over the years...where will they show up next? 

From Liberia West Africa, to Haiti.

ELWA (Eternal Love Winning Africa) Hospital, Monrovia Liberia

Ed traveled to ELWA Hospital in Liberia West Africa, October 18-26/16. As you recall ELWA Hospital was impacted by the Ebola outbreak back in 2014.

 WWLAB has made a couple of trips to Liberia since that time, updating and training in the laboratory of the affected hospital. Since then, the hospital has undergone a reconstruction, Ed was there to train and install new lab equipment in the new facility. A very exciting time for the people of Liberia. 

It is always encouraging when installing and training is done.

____________________

While there, Ed was able to witness the dedication of the new hospital. 

This video link  is a good summary of the Dedication ceremony with Franklin Graham. 

MOH (Mission of Hope), Healing Haiti/Grace Village.

James traveled to Haiti October 23-29/16. His first stop was MOH, where he spent a couple of days installing and training on new equipment. After MOH he traveled to Healing Haiti where more installing and training of new equipment took place. Both of these hospitals are French speaking, and we are thankful for James' french, where a translator was not required. 

Mission of Hope

Healing Haiti

_____________________________

On Friday, October 28/16 James was asked to present the work of WWLAB at the first Medical HaitiOne Conference held in Port au Prince Haiti. This Conference was a great encouragement to the medical workers and people of Haiti. The Conference was well attended, and will become an annual event with WWLAB participating. 

We are thankful for God's continued hand of protection while travel takes place. We never want to take that blessing for granted especially in this day and age. God is always Good and Faithful.

Busy in Haiti.

WorldWide Lab continues to reach out and help medical labs in many remote places of the world.  In the office, plenty of ordering, packing, repairing and communicating with clinics/hospitals takes place. Phone calls, Skype, FaceTime and emails aid with troubleshooting in distant places, at times, different languages can be heard as help is given.
It is fun to sit and hear all the activity that goes on at Gembrit Circle.

May and June saw both Ed and James doing new lab installs, and repeat visits to the country of Haiti.


Ed made a repeat visit to Children's Hope in Jacmel Haiti (June 14-20). They asked that he come back and help with training of new staff, and see how work in the lab was progressing. He was encouraged with both.

Traveling to remote places can be exciting. We are thankful for the many times that God has provided protection. 

Ed with staff from,Children's Hope

James also made a repeat visit to Hopital Sacre Coeur in Milot Haiti (May 2-7).  He installed a second Chemistry analyzer since they were doing so well with the first one. 

James also trained 2 med techs from the States who make frequent visit to Sacre Coeur.

James also had the opportunity to visit Danita's Children toward the end of May (21-28). This is a brand new clinic that will cater to the medical needs of children. He was asked to install and train in a new lab.

Toward the end of his trip, a young child was brought in that was very sick. This child was the first to have lab tests done at the clinic. 

There was much rejoicing and praise as blood was drawn, tests completed, and a diagnosis could be given for treatment. God is good! 

Thank you for your continued interest and investment of WorldWide LAB through your prayers and support.