A little perspective

Received the following e-mail from my mom today. She's in Haiti with a humanitarian group (Healing Hands for Haiti). She's gone several years but with the recent devastation this trip has been more difficult than previous ones.

"Spent today at CDTI one of the the only private hospitals left open at the time of the earthquake which has become a public facility. The patients are 6 to 8 patients per tent. In Haiti, a family member is expected to stay with the patient and provide primary care, the nurse does only nursing duties and has several patients (like three tents). It is hard to counsel as people's basic needs are still not being met. Most have no home to discharge to and there is NO extended care facilities or rehab units. One woman I visited with has no family, no home and was trapped in the rubble upside down for over 24 hours. Her left arm had to be amputated so it will be very difficult for her to work again. She has an eleven year old son and a four year old daughter who live with their father now in the country. She was never married to him and will likely never have her children again. She wants to die. Hope may be the greatest needed commodity in Haiti. People are very afraid of another quake, the rains and have little trust in the government. Everything I have learned about counseling has to be continually re-evaluated and adjusted. Until basic needs of safety, food and shelter are provided, it is difficult to work on their emotional needs. We hope it is hopeful to be able to tell their story as they do not feel they can express their loss with other Haitians because all Haitians are suffering. Many have expressed gratitude for having us listen to them, it just seems like so little. Visited with Jony last night, will be awhile before I can share any of that experience. The Haitian people have great faith and remain pleasant in unbelievable tragedy. Many have said " we smile but we do not feel it". The sadness is so evident in their eyes yet they remain so gracious. I truly love these people and am so grateful for this opportunity." ~Sandy

"Hope may be the greatest needed commodity in Haiti." I've thought a lot about that today. It's difficult to be hopeful in the midst of trial. I'm grateful for my faith and the understanding that I have. I've had an overwhelming feeling of gratitude today. I needed the reality check.