Little by Little

January 12th in memory

2012-01-12T08:50:00.000-08:00

Good morning dear friends in Haiti, in the states and "Earthquake Team" on this day of memorial -
I just want to acknowledge my thoughts of you today. I want to remind the "Earthquake Team" of the significance of their bravery and service that dreadful night and the days following. Willem spoke about the earthquake from his heart to our group 2 nights ago, recollecting much of our experiences together, thanking both our returning team members and those of you unable to return to Haiti this January. He reminded us of God's perfect timing, using Katia and the woman with the ripped off face to bring us to the hospital and the hundreds of others so severely injured. He expressed the miracle of our endurance, skills of our teamwork, abundant supplies from MTM and was very grateful. However, the needs in Haiti remain overwhelming but not insurmountable. The Haitian people have pride and desire, strength and resiliency. To be sure, these are my sentiments as well.
My prayers today for the people of Haiti (as they are everyday) are for unending hope, persistent fortitude, peace that surpasses understanding and to be the recipients of much assistance this year.
With great love and respect for each of you -
sue

Team 13

2012-01-12T08:48:00.000-08:00

Bonjou encore from Haiti –
January 12th, 2012. The 2nd anniversary of the devastating earthquake in Haiti and a permanent mark on my calendar. Ironically, it is also the birthdate of a young man we sponsor, Sadrac, for his school attendance at Mountain Top Ministries (MTM). For me it will always be a day of reflection, remembrance and respect for those who died, suffered and served, along with a day to celebrate the life of Sadrac and all others who are working so hard to survive. Sadrac comes from the extremely poor mountain village of Bonga. From the MTM school and clinic he must walk down the rigorous terrain of the steep mountain, traverse over, up and behind another mountain to reach his home. With the strength and energy of his youth, he tells us his hike takes him about 2 hours each way. Even if I was equipped with good climbing shoes, sunscreen, water bottle and food pack I doubt I could make this trip back and forth in one day. He had a fever yesterday but came to school anyway because school means everything to him. He turns 18 today and is in 7th grade. There is no school in his village, so he was significantly older than other children by the time he could make it all the way to MTM to attend school. As I examined him in the clinic I saw a very large cellulitis on his lower right leg which certainly was very painful. He produced not a wince or flinch as he received bilateral injections of a thick antibiotic into his thighs at the end of his school day. I was glad we were able to treat him, but heartache superseded joy as I watched him stoically and routinely head home, reaching his home well after dark and knowing the difficulty of his path.

We completed our week caring for over 900 patients who found their way to the clinic. As God would have it, many of our clinic patients had significant and complicated disease processes spurring “pathology rounds” for at least 2 hours each night as we discussed each complicated patient’s case and attempted to develop a workable plan. There was no irony in our team’s professional constellation which included a practicing pathologist, a variety of experienced providers and 10 eager graduate level students. We also went to each classroom at the school (600 students), proving the students with de-worming medication, tooth brushes, fluoride varnish and an assessment of their skin and general health. Many children already had significant tooth decay, and were especially eager to receive this treatment – and a new toothbrush. Others had teeth with perfect white enamel, and opened their mouths equally as eagerly, hoping to keep away the cavities that are so hard to treat because of lack of available dental care.

Our non-medical team members continued to be amazing anticipators, keeping each station well stocked with essential medical supplies, health packs, diaper packs, baby blankets, medicated salt and medika mamba (fortified peanut butter produced and purchased in Haiti). Scabies treatment applications, injections, and fearful anticipation continue to produce cries from the babies and toddlers which mingled with much laughter and friendly chatter as the sounds of the busy clinic hit a sustained crescendo throughout the day. One of our team members was in the storage closet sizing up a pair of crocs for a patient when the door was accidentally closed and left her alone inside the small, dark room. She sat there for several minutes just listening to the cacophony of the clinic, visualizing the resiliency, strength and stoicism in every sound – then wiped away a few tears, emerged from the closet with the elusive size 7 crocs and continued on…

For you to be able to fully empathize, I want to tell you about Guerrier, a gentleman who made his way to the clinic on our second day in Haiti. He had significant 2nd and 3rd degree burns on his face, neck, chest and back following the pattern of the spray from a blown hot radiator gasket. His skin was blistered and charred. For four days he came back and forth to the clinic, enduring an excruciating debriding process without facial grimace, sounds or reports of pain. As the cool mountain air blew in from the open windows his body’s reluctant but uncontrollable shivering was the only evidence of his discomfort. He denied hunger or thirst, but when offered a peanut butter sandwich and Gatorade he ate and drank with vigor. The nurses tended to his wounds with skill and tenderness, and on our last day of clinic they taught his 11 y/o son how to help care for him over the following weeks. I have no reticence regarding his ultimate survival, but the endurance, strength, resiliency and stoicism observed in Guerrier, in all the other patients we saw this week, and in the country of Haiti humbles me lower than I can get just by falling onto my knees.

As we drove in the daylight back to the airport for our return home, there were still some very raggedy tent cities, but I was very moved by the open spaces I could now see in Petionville, Delmas and PAP. The acres of defined, square imprints on the ground, separated by only a foot or two of space were still fresh reminders of the thousands of families who lived in such close proximity, under such dire sanitation and social conditions. Despite all the dismal reports of lack of progress (which are true and Haiti needs an abundance of help), I do also want to report the small things.
Brian, some of our guys and a few MTM students were painting a new classroom at the MTM School and were wrapping up their work because they had run out of paint. As they were cleaning up they noticed a very young boy, definitely less than 4 or 5 y/o, scraping the paint remnants from the inside of the empty bucket with a paper plate and putting the scraped paint into the empty paint tray. When he could get no more paint off the side of the bucket with the paper plate, he took his hand, digging deep into the bucket and continued to wipe away all the remaining paint. At this point, the guys were really concerned about the mess the toddler had made with yellow paint on his hands and arms up to his axillae…but not to worry…with absolutely no cues, the little boy then went over to another bucket which was filled with water which they had been using for clean-up, and he submerged his arms into the water and scrubbed all the paint off of himself. Needless to say, the guys were very amused but also in awe of this little boy’s resourcefulness and instinct to conserve and use.

Our friends in Haiti have faith and hope. They have endurance and motivation. Thank you for your continued and various ways of support. We are very grateful!
Brian and sue

Team 13

2012-01-12T08:46:00.000-08:00

Bonjou from Haiti January 8, 2012
Our arrival on January 4th was uneventful from the logistics point of view: O'Hare was ready for all missioners who were eager and on time, all perfectly packed and organized luggage (none over 50# and all inventory accounted for) was waiting for us at the Louveture International Airport along with Willem's robust embrace, many friendly porters, lots of muscle and elbowing, a bit of chaos from customs to the parking lot... but in comparison to previous years...all without a glitch! It was dark with a lot of airport traffic leaving PAP, so Willem took a less familiar route up the mountain. Laborers at construction sites were evident, vendors were packing up for the day, less rubble was obstructive and new sidewalks with new drainage ditches were a happy site. At first Brian and I almost felt like we were about to embark on a Caribbean vacation with 26 best friends but the drive through PAP quickly sobered our meandering thoughts. Garbage and broken buildings were our first jolt, and then came the pass by the first of still many tattered, worn-out and forlorn tent cities with so many families still displaced. Two years of living in conditions without safe shelter, sanitation, clean water or regular food. It's hard to observe so closely this heartache and uncertainty of humanity. There are still many reminders of the ravages Haiti has endured.

The rooster calls, blasts of dogs barking and the aroma of Haitian coffee and breakfast are a certainty early each morning, so there is no chance of over sleeping. An orderly line of hopeful patients snaking around the clinic has been our view from the binoculars each morning, motivating us to organize and get up to the mountain quickly. Many of the team are taking the 30-45 minute trek by foot, experiencing both the rigor of the villager's daily walks, a sweaty start to their day but a burst of energy from each smile and enthusiastic greeting received. Children peek out of door frames and run out to the road, waving and grinning, peeping past their strewn laundry amidst roosters, wash bins and water buckets. It's an emotion that's hard to describe...the joy of a child, the pain of poverty, both at the exact moment. It's the same emotion we feel at the clinic...the joy of helping a person out of their physical suffering from injury and infection, worms, scabies, hypertension, seizures and so many other medical problems while at the same time feeling their pain, knowing their hardship. It's a human experience that will never be fully describable.

We had 3 days of intense clinic, with all 28 of us working in synch: doing our medical passion; passing out health packs, Crocs and salt; filling hundreds of prescriptions while providing education to each patient...an efficiency that is truly amazing! The school children will return from their winter break today so we are also readying ourselves for applying fluoride varnish to all 600 student's teeth over the next 2 days.

Thank you for thinking of us and praying for us through each day. So much more work today, so don't stop yet ... more stories at the end of the week.

Blessings to you!
Sue, Brian, and Team

Team 12 May 2011

2011-06-10T06:01:00.000-07:00

May 20, 2011, 7:05 am

Bonjou -

The sun is rising, the mountains are cresting, the fog is dissipating and the roosters are in competition with the rhythmic little tree frogs. It is a morning to reflect and be thankful for our safe arrival, for all our luggage to be in tow, for the open arm greetings from our hosts, a delicious meal waiting to be enjoyed and a good night's rest following our first day in clinic.

As we landed in PAP and taxied to the jet way, I summoned my emotional and physical strength in anticipation for the typically chaotic bag retrieval process, armored with a buddy and check-point-check system that rivals the best. We were again greeted with a calypso band in the airport, setting the tone of relaxation rather than stress... lovely! The post-quake make-shift hanger-turn-customs building now had a drop ceiling with inset lighting, fans, signage and an impression of permanence. Haitians are certainly industrious, always making the best of what they have! The next surprise came as we braced to lumber our loads through the long walk over erratic concrete, preparing to ward off the well-meaning but unsolicited assistance by avoiding eye contact and repeating "no, mesi", (which feels unnatural since all we want to do is embrace each hard working man's assistance)...instead we had several airport "porters" who had quickly corralled all our ribboned and numbered suitcases while we were in customs, definitely marking their luggage territory from all the other prowling porters. What a pleasant surprise. No uncomfortable rejection process! Next we enjoyed a smooth exit through the newly created curbed and roofed promenade all the way to the parking lot. The tone of progress was set.

As we drove from the airport through PAP the shadows from rubble piles were fading, scaffolding embraced many damaged buildings, street vendors were in abundance and people were milling about with their loads. New curbing was evident as well as several new stoplights, neither, however, replaced the prominent traffic rules of horn blasting. The tent cities have not changed much, but there was evidence of more permanent temporary housing sprouting about.

Yesterday, our clinic began with a line of more than 100, all holding a rendezvous slip, which is the ticket for a "first in line" follow-up visit. WOW! That was amazing to see how well the system is working, how sustainable the care has become, and how many returned on the date requested. There have been 1-3 teams a month here at MTM post-quake, and consistent care is now the norm. Our team meshed immediately, working symbiotically right from the start. Our missioners all have come with a servant’s heart, no task snubbed, no job too big or small.

Thank you for anticipating our safe arrival, praying us here!
I will report our clinic stories at the end of our week. Please know how much we feel your support and prayers as we bring you with us, helping us care for each precious person.
With great fondness and appreciation :)
Sue Walsh & Team 12

May 25, 2011
Fini Bonjou -

Waking this morning for an early departure it was still dark, and I lay in bed listening to the orchestra of sounds. Caribbean night frogs croak with an interesting combination of musical cadence and wood instrument rhythm, sharing the beautiful rolling French accent of the island. On the cusp of dawn the small tree dwelling birds sweetly flirt with each other as their early chirps lilt through the air, officially starting the concert. Morning doves tandem in quickly with their gentle, consistent coo calls like a clarinet joining the playful flutes. Without being obnoxious but rather quite complementary, rooster calls join in with essential accents to the ensemble as would a saxophonist, along with an occasional donkey bray and several deep lows from a lone cow, definitely rounding out the musical score. The dogs are quiet and will blast soon if someone walks past the compound gate, but for now the air is gentle and soothing, and I love it! I feel sorry for all trippers who wear ear plugs to sleep, because once the house and the rest of the mountain wakes up, the serenade is over.

We had a wonderful, productive week, with our clinic counts again rounding 1000 along with completing the application of the fluoride varnish on the teeth of all the school children with a total of treating 600 students throughout this year. I don't mean to always report "numbers"; it's just that it is so emotional for us to see the seemingly endless lines, and endless needs. I think we all find a form of comfort in this counting, knowing that we saw all who came to us throughout our time here. Of course we had experiences that ranged from heartaches to belly laughs. Heartaches came as we saw both advanced lymphatic filariasis (elephantitis) and early signs of the condition, knowing that the best we can offer is the hope of preventing advancement. Elephantitis is the descriptor of what the filarial worm does to the extremities and scrotum as it clogs up the lymphatic system, causing both to enlarge with the size and appearance of an elephant, causing significant pain and immobility. Prevention, with no cure available, is our goal by treating everyone with the de-worming medication albendazole, and distributing medicated/fortified salt to each family, every trip. We have been doing this for several years, and the Haitians now know about the special salt, and request it :) For other conditions that were severe, we knew that many teams will follow us, including surgical, dental and ophthalmology, so the range of treatment continues to expand with the expertise of all who visit MTM. We were quite amused when a young man reported his litany of complaints including headache, anemia, gripe (a constant cold), backache, acid, dry eyes, trouble reading (requesting reading glasses) with the finale of ailments being "infecion vaginale"... Not sure if the interpreter was confused with his translation or what - but because "infecion vaginale" seems to be the complaint of every female, young and old, it was quite humorous as I was jokingly consulted for this "unusual complaint" which has now spread to the male population!

We are so grateful for all the supplies and medications you have helped us provide. Treatment of hypertension and other chronic diseases seem reasonably well controlled, allowing for a better quality of life, and we had proper antibiotics for all organisms causing infections of all ages. We had the pleasure of having Dr. Tom Keys, an internist and infectious disease specialist from the Cleveland clinic, on our team this trip who helped us with many complicated cases, bring a new depth to our clinical expertise, along with so many other very knowledgeable, skilled and compassionate RNs, nurse practitioners, pharmacist and our indispensible 'non-medicals', who keep all supplies/medications inventoried, stocked and humbly keep the clinic flowing.

In spite of still acquiring scabies and worms regularly, many children are strong and healthy, so treating their recurring infestations continues to relieve their discomfort and suffering, but their overall health is good. We saw no severe malnutrition! Each pregnant mom we cared for, about 35, (here I go counting again!) each child whether they were moderately malnourished or growing nicely, along with an amazing number of people over 60 years old received medika mamba, which is a fortified peanut butter where the peanuts are grown, picked and manufactured into a paste in Haiti. Everyone received vitamins and a health pack as well. We also had the privilege to give to each mom a lovingly made baby blanket and an enthusiastically folded diaper pack for each new young life they were carrying, including those still cradled in the wombs of the strong Haitian women. This mountain oasis at MTM is doing wonderful things for many, and Little by Little is so blessed to be partnering with them.

An excruciating reality of the continued needs of Haiti came to me as I passed through the slum of Carrefour, a very troubled area of PAP, and saw masses living in garbage and rubble reaching proportions that go beyond description or comprehension. Please continue your thoughts and prayers for Haiti.

Again, it was a privilege and pleasure to serve in Haiti with an amazing team of giving, humble teammates, supported by you daily. Thank you for helping us with this mission.

With abundant love and gratitude -
Sue and Brian et al

Addendum: internet was spotty and travel was long but we did arrive safely back to Chicago. Thank you for your traveling mercies prayers!

Team 11 March 2011

2011-06-10T06:00:00.000-07:00

March 26, 2011, 8:07 pm

Bonswa to our dear friends and family,

As we settle into our evening activities I wanted to share some of our experience with all of you. Each of us so appreciates your support, your love and your prayers as we move through each day of this work.

Each day is beginning with a glorious blue sky and warm breezes that should envy all of you! :) We gather each morning to a scrumptious meal of fruit, oatmeal and this morning PANCAKES as we contemplated the large crowd of our Haitian friends awaiting us on the top of the moumntain. Many of the team love to walk the mountain roads and traverse across the riverbed greeting friends and patients along their away....a "Bonjour" creates a smile and a wave that is heartfelt and heartwarming all in one.

Our days have been filled with patients needing many different levels of care. Skin infections, malnutrition and asthma remain on the top of the list with an assortment of less severe conditions such as allergies, colds, diarrhea, fevers and pain of all sorts being frequent concerns. (Can YOU imagine carrying 30 pounds of water or vegetables on top of your head, up a steep mountain in cruddy shoes?)... and our favorite moments involving our pregnant mom's first hearing their baby's heartbeat and the new moms bringing their tiny new wee ones for us to see and ooh and ahh over:) It is also truly uplifting to see former patients who share a hug and Haitian team members who work with us on each visit....again sharing hugs and laughter as well as working so diligent and hard to help us meet the needs of our precious folks.

The team is lively, bright and filled with love for these people and our mission. It is a joy to lead this group. Please know everyone is safe, well and enjoying this opportunity to serve. Keep the team in your prayers that we may continue to do God's work and pray that our Haitian brothers and sisters will continue to find us in the days ahead. We noticed today that their needs become greater as our time here lengthens and they come from mountains away.

God bless and keep each of you and know you are loved here in Haiti by Team 11.

Blessings for a restful night,

Vanda & all of Team 11

Team 10 January 2011

2011-03-28T21:07:00.000-07:00

January 5, 2011
Bonjou from Haiti!
It's always such a swing of emotions when we first arrive in Haiti. Initially the thrill of a warm breeze in January sets the the tone for the extremes of sensations to follow. We were greeted with efficiency in customs, smiling hugs from Willem and our other Haitian friends and all of our suitcases! Then our sense and sensibilities were bombarded as we drove from the airport to Gramothe, seeing the rubbled and broken condition of Port-Au-Prince. What was previously a reassuring site of newly erected tents everywhere is now a discouraging view. The tents are raggedy and the smells of poor sanitation and crowded humans coupled with dust and diesel brought my heart to my throat. Our 52 suitcases were piled high in the dump truck, with Brian perched atop tightening security straps as needed and having a bird's eye view of the city. Traffic was stop and go (mostly stop), giving Brian the opportunity to quietly interact with those who caught his seeking looks. Four guys were washing themselves in the street (naked) and quickly engaged in Brian's gaze recognizing him as a source for something good. Brian quickly and instinctively opened up just the right suitcase and threw them health packs, just as the truck jolted away. With wide grins they waved their thanks.

Oops!
Brian just read my email and reported that I made a grievous error...
the four showering males were actually little boys!!! So all readers, please change your visual :)

We arrived at the guest house and learned of Willem's mother's death 2 days ago, sinking my heart down to my stomach. Our rooster buddies were on time with their wake up call, as we prepared to accompany Willem, Beth, Stephan and David to the church, praying Willem's mother to Heaven. Brass music, wailing and rejoicing were melded together with family, friends and flowers in the church, the funeral processional and at the grave site.

The emotional pendulum brought us from the honor of participating in the funeral to the disappointment of not having clinic, to the surprising gift of time to prepare for a full day of clinic tomorrow. We have accomplished, in one afternoon, that which always takes us the full week to unpack and organize. We know by now to leave all timing to God, and it will be right!

I ask you to pray for strength and peace for Willem and his family. Willem, a man who has put his grief in his chest pocket in order to keep room in his heart for the compassion he constantly feels for the villagers who are awaiting health care. He choose not to cancel our trip to grieve, but rather embrace our presence and service.

We look forward to working tomorrow!

With praise that the elections have been postponed and that there is a sense of calm,

Sue, Brian, and the Team

*************************************************************************************

January 12, 2011
Back in town :)
Wow! The stark contrasts of Haiti to sweet home, Chicago were startling from the aerial views and the blasts of temperature variations, noticing first the orderly street grid of Chicago land and the pure white snow vs the chaotic topography of the tents and damaged buildings, garbage, diesel and dust of Port-Au-Prince. As we exited the plane and started the reentry process, we were forced to clock watch as time ticked away in lines for security, customs, and trying to make connecting flights. Old habits of impatience and self-absorption were stifled, but could be felt creeping back. This email could easily turn into another book if I dared to express all the swings of emotions we feel as our team returns. Succinctly, we know how blessed we are in our comforts, and we will work to reconcile how uncomfortable we are with our blessings. We plan to keep our hearts in shape, not allowing them to get narrowed or hardened or broken beyond repair. But instead we will strive to keep them soft and malleable, seeking action to hold the torn edges together, so they can be strong and function for good.
Thank you for praying us through and home!
Sue and Team
In case anyone is interested, I will be speaking about our trip and peddling a few books at the Book Stall in Winnetka tomorrow, Saturday 1/15 starting at 2:00 pm

Susan Walsh, MS, CPNP
Founder of Little by Little

2010-07-03T05:53:00.000-07:00

May 28, 2010

Bonjour from Haiti!
We arrived safely, to an airport that has recovered in spirit and has become quite functional. A Haitian rendition of a calypso band was a welcoming first sight and sound, after walking down a long, newly built reception hallway, built pre-earthquake to keep travelers off the tarmac. In January, prior to the earthquake, this addition to the airport was all of our first comment, recognizing the growth and forward movement of Haiti, yet missing the celebrity feeling of exiting directly onto the tarmac...but Brian and I knew that now on the other side of that wall was a cracked and damaged building, still not useable, previously filled with water from broken pipes, rubble from broken walls and the chaos of a broken country. To everyone else it was just a walkway to the bus, which then took us to a "remodeled" hanger, being used as the country's customs center. The friendly and happy music and vision of the Haitian musicians was an effective anxiolytic coaxing us into a relaxed frame of mind that Haiti is as resilienient as we are all trying to believe. In the customs hanger the old wood cabinet/desks were salvaged from the damages of falling walls and exploding pipes, set in the middle of a 3 story high echo chamber of a hanger, being reused, providing us with a familiar feel as we stepped forward with our passports to be stamped. Once again, we eagerly claimed on our entrance forms that our reason for entering their country was "Pleasure", and that we had no pharmaceuticals. A blunt blur of truth. All but one bag found their way to the repaired turnstile, the only missing suitcase was filled with diaper packs and peanut butter...nice but not essential. I’m hopeful that whoever establishes custody of that bag will disperse the goods for good use.
The truck ride out of the airport and through Port-Au-Prince was a dusty kaleidoscope of visions and emotions, darting from one sight to another. The familiar movement of Haitians busying themselves up and down each street was reassuring. However, the disconnect of the vision came watching them side step and seemingly ignore the massive mounds of rubble in their paths, in their houses, in their lives. Street vendors were everywhere as usual, setting their goods to the side of a mound of crumbled concrete, or arranging the rubble to suit the presentation of what they are selling or where they wanted to sit. Behind the vendors and the distorted walls of previous dwellings and stores were tents, sheets, tarps, kids, people, dogs, rubble, all blending together in a dusty, diesel filled blur. Being in the open bed trucks with 40 suitcases and 20 white people, we are a sight. Everyone on the street looks intently at us, with seeking a gaze. The traffic was slow so it was easy to make eye contact with the stares. Each Haitian, young and old smiled at my searching looks. I was momentarily reassured but permanently humbled. If I allow myself to recognize the reality of what resiliency means to a Haitian...

Our first day of clinic we were greeted with 250 people waiting patiently for us and our offerings. We were careful to not be overwhelmed by the numbers in line, taking time to listen, touch and connect with each person. The amazing consistency of maladies, concerns, way of life, from pre to post earthquake almost has me lulled into thinking that all effects of Jan 12th are forgotten.

June 2, 2010Hi from Haiti -
It's 5 am Weds morning, I LOVE waking to roosters and dogs, to sunrise and green mountains!!! With sky breaking into peeks of blue, and puffs of cotton clouds rolling down off the tops and dips of the hills, there is no rain, and there is no line at the clinic, we are happy!!! I have a peaceful heart from these visions. We've had an incredibly full week, with a team that has been able to anticipate the needs of the Haitians and has been intuitive of each other’s needs as well, both physically and emotionally. As is typical of our trips, we seemed to have everything we needed. The missioners have a skill set that has been unbelievably diversified, compassionately and carefully treating patients with infections, infestations, injuries, worms, high blood pressure, and trying to provide some comfort for the headaches of anemia and arthritis of such a hard life, that is literally always up hill. It's been so amazing to see people again and again over the years, to have a familiar Haitian hug, to see health improving in this small oasis at Mountain Top. We've had just enough health packs, just enough medications, just enough blankets, crocs, peanut butter, laughter, energy...It is more and more evident with each passing trip that we are bringing all of you with us, as you support us, help us pack and pray for our work. The only thing we seemed to be missing is more time to spend here!
We have not been able to get through a day here without a little miracle, reasons for joy but also the unstoppable tears of sadness. A 12-year-old boy blinded by cataracts likely from measles, a man without a hand and without a daughter he lost in the earthquake, a 7 lb 7 month old... I will never, ever have a completely settled mind as long as it is filled with the remembrance of sick children and the blank stares of a child with malnutrition. I will, however, discipline myself to remember that God is in control, and that He reminds us of His love and hope, and that we can be His hands and feet to do something about the happenings of this world.

I want to share a quote with you from Jimmy Valvano, who was the basketball coach for N. Carolina State. He gave a speech at the ESPT awards 1 month before he died of cancer at age 47. His words are moving..."We should do this every day. Number one is laugh, you should laugh every day. Number 2 is think, you should spend some time in thought. Number 3 is you should have your emotions moved to tears, could be happiness or joy. But think about it. If you laugh, you think, and you cry, that's a full day. That's a heck of a day. You do that 7 days a week, you're going to have something special".
Our trip has been special - thank you for being a part of it!
With much love – sue and Brian and the rest of the Little by Little Team

Feb 12, 2010

2010-02-12T07:10:00.000-08:00

Good morning!
One month ago today, 23 of us were physically together in a village we have grown to love, in a country that will never be the same. The rest of you were together with us and Haiti via every form of media/communication possible. We have all become part of an event that literally rocked the world. The reality of this earthquake and all the images we have seen are strong for all of us, and they have moved each and every one of us into some form of action. Thank you!
For our team, our 23, the experience is more than our actions. It is multidimensional. Yes, we have images that are traumatic, even haunting, same as everyone else, but we have the blessing of remembering each person we met. We can still see into their eyes – young and old, despair, hope, laughter, love, loss, God. With these images we experience the activation of all our senses. We still feel the Haitian breeze, warm sun, cool night air; the hands we were holding, broken bones we were setting, wounds we were washing, veins we were missing, the pit in our stomach and the acid in our mouth, the warmth of the blood that was flowing…the warmth of the breath that was still pressing on and the warmth of the hearts that were breaking. We hear the sounds of Haiti – words we don’t understand, but intonation we do. Crowing, barking, drumming, singing, giggling, crying, praising, rumbling, moaning, yelling, mourning, roaring, hugging, holding. Smells of delicious food, fresh air, diesel, betadine, antibiotics, dust, death, jet fuel, soap, and clean linen wave in and out. And with each wave, the taste comes back too, some extremely pleasant, others as offensive as it can get - but all a reminder of our humanity intertwined. Simply put, we are people, together, and God is here too.
One month later Haiti is still as real as ever. Thank you for continuing to be part of this reality, for joining us in this deeply sense filled journey ~ sue

2010-01-31T14:52:00.000-08:00

This is what I wrote to the producer of WGN's People to People with Allison Payne in response to their request for a team interview. The show aired 1/30 and 1/31/2010.

First, thank you for your interest in our group but more importantly, for doing a story that is of a deeply humanitarian nature, rather than sensational or dramatic! Little by Little is a group of people with varied back rounds (not all medical), varied ages from 17 to 70 years, from all different emotional and faith driven places in their lives coming together to do what small amount they can to make life better for a few. By combining all of their unique personal talents, efforts and small change, our group has been able to care for over 1000 sick and vulnerable people each trip we take, and leave enough vitamins, medications and supplies for other teams that serve in the same clinic throughout the year. With these amazing (but ordinary) people who have traveled with me to Haiti, a world away - with extreme physical poverty from our American point of view - but a country of abundant stamina and strength, resilience, patience, unconditional love and compassion, hope... (remind me and I can give you examples of all) -
our whole team will tell you that we have seen the face of God in every pair of eyes we connected with, in every touch we received, in every prayer we prayed. As difficult as this earthquake has been for the Haitians and the world to experience - the beauty has been that we have experienced this together, human to human with all of our senses. My greatest hope is that this deeply empathetic response by all will continue to resound not only for the Haitians but for all in the world who are vulnerable and in need for a long time. Little by Little we can make a difference, even if it's a small difference, it matters.

Jan. 23, 2010

2010-01-24T10:26:00.000-08:00

Dear ones who continue to read my emails…
It has been one week since our team has returned from Haiti!
I don’t know how time is able to play such mind games, making my head spin and feel as if I was still in the mist of the Haitian mountains, the warm sun and warm people, the clinic, the earthquake, the hospital chaos and days that followed, the wait on the tarmac…and concurrently feel like my time in Haiti was light years away, as I’m speaking English not Kreole to my patients, that I’m waiting in Chicago traffic, not in the back of a pick-up truck on my way to work. The other warped sensation comes from both real time and memory flashes of visuals, sounds, smells; heart palpitations, stomach turning and acid taste – not knowing if these are a result of the past or present… or that these sensations are just from watching a movie, a very powerful movie. The kind where I’ve engrossed myself as one of the characters, needing to sit in my seat for some minutes following the full credits, gaining balance of where I’m actually at in the world during that specific moment. But then I leave the theater, start conversation, have some ice cream and gain my body and mind’s normal equilibrium.
It’s hard to put into words – it’s going to take patience and some mentoring from our friend time (none of which our media blitz seems to contemplate) to process this surreal experience. We all have many stories to tell, they will come out slowly and passionately.

I am once again experiencing deep heartache, as I empathize with those who suffer from horrific injury and even more painful, from the loss or losses of those they love. I know your empathy and compassion runs equally as deep as mine. Thank you for being in that same uncomfortable place with Brian and me, with all of our teams and with the Haitians both pre and post earthquake. I draw strength from my faith and the faithfulness of others. And knowing that in all things is God, and that God is good. And God is help and hope, endurance, love, peace…My racing mind stills for a moment when I remember that God is holding close those who have died, when their suffering was more than God could bear, or just that it was their time. None of this will ever sit right with me, with us, but I think that’s how we are meant to be. So when we are in a place of discomfort we can be moved into action. I have grown to know that my broken heart is my best part… otherwise I’d just be content living my beautiful life with Brian, my great kids, family, friends, flowers, food, fun…
Thank you also for “getting it” and for being ever close, side-by-side! I apologize for not being more personal with notes and thanks – again, that rascal time keeps stealing from me, leaving each day with a shortage!
Ever grateful and with deep affection - sue

January trip 2010

2010-01-17T19:59:00.000-08:00

Jan. 7, 2010
Hi from Haiti to snowy Chicago!!!
Thank you all for thinking of us and praying our safe way to Haiti. We have arrived WITHOUT a glitch...every person accounted for, EVERY bag miraculously weighed exactly 50 lbs (wink, wink) as we checked in at O'Hare, and each of those precious and peanut butter filled bags appeared on the PAP side turnstile! We were out of the airport and up the mountain before dark - record time!
People were camped out waiting for our early morning arrival to the clinic. We had many preparatory meetings this year, so we we jumped off the trucks ready to go - well... a few walkers had to take a minute to wipe off their sweat (that is not a "no sweat" kind of climb). We unloaded our nicely inventoried, numbered and labeled suitcases (how impressive everyone was packing the Saturday before we left - finishing in less than 3 hours - BEFORE I even arrived!!!)...and started seeing patients. Our first patient was a tiny, elderly woman with the most radiant smile, calm disposition - wearing a stiff, old, thin, (gross) little blue dress. We learned from Willem that she had walked all day on Weds and slept outside Weds night. She was exuberant that she was our first patient! To make this short, as her story unfolded to us and her clothes were removed we saw a 2-month-old infection that was just absolutely raw and oozing, from her neck to her legs, truly the worse I have ever seen. We had no idea from her countenance the severity of her problem - We tenderly bathed her, we gently applied medicated cream, we gave her a double shot of antibiotic in her thighs (the only place we could find that was without severe infection). We covered her in lovingly made soft blankets to keep her warm, we gave her peanut butter, Crocs, a health pack, Brian's lunch, a soft T-shirt from a student's backpack...literally she was every patients need rolled into one. Throughout her painful treatment ordeal she kept smiling. Many tears were shed with the large realization of the suffering - physical/emotional - that is "underneath", but with so many of us working together both here in Haiti and all of you at home who have helped to send us here, we can relieve some of this suffering just a little bit at a time. She left with her husband by her side a few gently tears down her cheeks (the antibiotic shots hurting her legs? or the sweet tears of human connection?) - we were told by an interpreter that they would be walking for at least 12 hours and would be home early morning...It was cold and rainy here last night, but the clouds have cleared and the sun is peaking over the mountains. We are sure they are seeing the same sun on the other side of the mountain and that our little lady friend is feeling better today :) I hope you are seeing the sun sparkling in your yards and driveway this morning! We are thinking of all of you and are grateful for your prayers and support!
Brian and sue
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Jan 11, 2010
Dear Friends -
As we pack to go home we are looking at over 40 completely empty suitcases - and with each empty suitcase is a memory of an infant snuggled in a blanket and soft diaper; a child with colorful Crocs on his growing feet and a bar of soap to wash those feet; an adolescent with a toothbrush; a mother with a bandaid; so many infections and diseases treated with so many different medications; both the strong and week slathered with creams to combat the intensity of an itsy bitsy mite (scabies). The amazement and pure joy in the return of a child who recovered from malnutrition through the determination of a father, many prayers and eating a peanut butter porridge. Severe burns and puncture wounds; sky high blood pressure and beautiful mountains; pregnancy and death; teeth rotted to the root, smiles as wide as the river; healthy babies, people who don't know how old they are or their birthday; sharing sandwiches, shirts and shoes, smiles and tears, human touch, humanity together in Haiti. We are returning home with empty bags but full hearts! And as we will fill the bags again soon, our hearts will continue to overflow.
With gratitude and fondness,
Brian and sue
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Jan 12, 2010
Hello Everyone!
We want to get the word out to as many people as possible that we are all ok after a very large earthquake. Please pray for our Haitian friends and keep them close to your hearts as we try to recover from this event.
There is much damage here, but again, we are ok and so is the house we are staying in.
We will contact you as soon as we can. We are due to leave tomorrow afternoon, but we will have to see how the roads are and if the airport is open. Please get words to our families if you are able to.
sue

Jan 13, 2010
Maggie -
I am in awe at the outpouring of compassion and empathy of all our family and friends, and their family and friends and others we don't even know...
We are certainly seeing first hand so many people who need help. Little by Little can accept donations for earthquake relief.
our website is : littlebylittlehaiti.org
our address is : Little by Little PO box 934 Glenview, IL 60025
You can certainly send this info out to anyone who might request :)
Love you so much and can't wait until dad and I can talk with you and Kyle for an extended time. Please call Kyle and tell him in person that we are safe and how hard it is to make calls and send mails! xo mom

Jan 14, 2010
"Hi everyone,

I just got off the phone with my dad. The phones are back up after being dead yesterday, but of course they have limited access to the phone and internet, so I'm relaying his message to the best of my ability :) They are all still safe and hanging in there, despite the tremors and aftershocks, one yesterday that - as a tremor - registered 6.0!
He said that they might be able to leave today, as they've heard that the airport will be open for private jets that fly in with aid. It sounds like they will be able to head back to Miami on one of these jets from Walsh Construction, I believe, in shifts of 11 people. Surely some of the details may change, but they are in contact with the right people and are hopeful that they will be able to get back stateside either tonight or tomorrow. They spent yesterday back up at the clinic and will likely be back today as well making use of the time that they are there to be of help where they are needed.
Of course they, and I, are so thankful for your prayers and support. I will let you know if I hear anything else. "
Maggie
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Jan 14, 2010
Just quickly while I have internet access I want to clarify Maggie's email - we are totally fine, we are safe, we have food and water, and we have peaceful mountains and brilliant sun! We are all packed and will be ready to go whenever either the commercial planes (AA) are available or when any other option may be available. The route to the airport is safe and clear and all the Haitians everywhere are so appreciative of the help the rescue teams (which we are identified as) are providing. The humanitarian aid is so important, so essential and certainly a priority. We are on Haitian time, which means being calm and patient with no clock watching or any particular certain agenda...
Just keep the injured and those in need in your prayers, and be reassured by this email that we are well. We are so absolutely blessed to have such loving and well connected family and friends at home, all working together to first get help here to the Haitians, but at the same time bring us back home to all of you. We do love you all so, and feel uplifted by all your prayers.
Sue and Brian
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Jan 16, 2010
Dear team #7, friends, family,
We are home safely, but our hearts are in Haiti...
We are so grateful for your love and concern, your prayers and support for us and all of our team, and we want you to know that we felt every moment that we were held closely by you and our loving God. We know also that at the same time you have kept all the Haitian people in those same thoughts and prayers! You have all heard us talk previously about the strength, patience and resiliency of our friends in Haiti, of their peaceful and loving countenance, in spite of desperate situations. We have truly seen the face of God in both the Haitians eyes as they endure and in each selfless expression of compassion given by both our team and other rescue workers in the immediate hours following this disaster. I know we will continue to see God's hands and feet as Haiti continues to be cared for by so many. Brian and I were talking after mass this morning and came to this conclusion...This earthquake and the misery, destruction, devastation and death it brought came from below, but love, strength, help, hope and life will come from above! Please continue to pray for Haiti.
Brian and Sue

Letter from Sue and Brian

2009-02-08T14:56:00.000-08:00

When we led our first mission to Gramothe, Haiti, in 2006, our intention was to lead a service trip of advanced practice nurses and nursing students. We wanted to alleviate the suffering of the Haitian people in a remote mountain village, if only for a short while. We focused our resources to treat infections, intestinal worms, along with skin infestations such as scabies and fungus. These conditions commonly affect all of the women and children in the village. We also provided vitamins, peanut butter, and educated many women about the benefits of breast-feeding. We taught about how to maintain their clean water source and prevent re-infestation of worms and scabies.
Our first mission was so successful that we returned with a larger group in January 2007, serving more than 1,200 Haitian people in one week. We were amazed to see how the simple care delivered the prior year had improved the general health of the women and children of the village. Naturally, we talked to our friends, family and members of our church, Our Lady of Perpetual Help, about our trips and the great need in Haiti. Our excitement over the small but obvious improvement in the villagers’ health became contagious! We were met with an overwhelming support for these mission trips. Word of mouth spread, and unexpectedly, people kept coming forward to offer donations, time, and prayers. Especially surprising was how students throughout Chicago’s North Shore offered their time and talent in many ways to collect basic necessities such as peanut butter, vitamins, and cloth diapers, and to raise funds to buy essential medication. We have been humbled and inspired by the outpouring of this selfless commitment to the well-being of others.
We began Little By Little, a nonprofit organization, to structure and direct this giving by American families to the ongoing healthcare and health education of the Haitian people in Gramothe. Our short term goal is to continue our mission trips to provide basic healthcare, especially to mothers and children. Our long term goal is to advance the maternal child wellness center, supporting sustainability and reciprocity with the villagers of Gramothe.
Little By Little is built on the enthusiasm of average people – no one with great wealth, no one with extraordinary skills, and no one with celebrity. Rather, everyone has simply a heartfelt and unselfish desire to help others in need.
Together, it’s amazing what we can accomplish, little by little.

Sue & Brian Walsh

Haitian Proverbs

2009-02-08T14:42:00.000-08:00

Bondye do ou: fe pa ou, M a fe pa M.
God says do your part and I'll do mine. Haitian Proverbs

As I sit here and contemplate what is needed to sustain our mission work in Haiti, an uncomfortable feeling over takes me. I have been trying to discern what that awkward feeling is. It finally came to me…I’m not sure I know what is needed. I’m not qualified to say. I can tell you what I’ve experienced in Gramothe and what seems apparent to me with my pediatric and maternal focus and my heart for compassion, and that’s the best I can do.

“For me, an area of moral clarity is: you're in front of someone who's suffering and you have the tools at your disposal to alleviate that suffering or even eradicate it, and you act.” Paul Farmer

As I lay in my very comfy bed, after a nice shower and a full application of great smelling lotions, and my windows open with a soft, fresh breeze filtering in, I’m unable to settle down and relax because I have a few itchy bug bites on my ankles and arms. I think of the Haitian children I know, sleeping on concrete beds or on the floor, straw under a worn blanket to soften the concrete, no shower, no screens, who are scratching their scabies and other infestations night after night, to the point of severe infection, distraction and discomfort. I want to buy enough medication and soap to rid them of these infestations and infections. Effective medication is expensive, but it’s strong and it works. And this suffering is relieved, even if it is only for a few months.

Dye mon, gen mon.
Beyond the mountains, more mountains. Haitian Proverbs

So beyond that first mountain, there are other mountains, other kinds of infections, especially intestinal worms, which also need expensive medication to be effective. I feel miserable, to the point of tears, when I’ve had the stomach flu in the past. All I want is the comfort of my bathroom with all of its amenities, yet I still feel sorry for myself if I vomit or have repeated bouts of diarrhea. I can’t even imagine what it would feel like to be bloated, nauseous and weak day after long day from the effects of intestinal parasites. Especially with no running water, plumbing, crackers or7-Up, and to continue working in the heat outside – walking miles for clean, fresh water, then having to carry the heavy water miles back.

Woch nan dio pa konnen doule woch nan soley
The rock in the water does not know the pain of the rock in the sun. Haitian Proverbs

I am acutely aware of the poverty and malnutrition that is occurring in the mountains. It is hard for families to grow food. The soil is rocky, the trees have been braised for fuel. Water is a difficult resource to collect and re-direct. At least vitamins and peanut butter can help. Especially in pregnant and lactating moms, and in children, whose brains are developing, and whose minds are open. Their attention in school is better if they are not suffering from hunger and malnutrition.

Kreyol pale, kreyol komprann
Speak plainly, don't try to deceive. Haitian Proverbs

To think towards a next level, to seek out opportunities for prevention, I would love to have a teaching health room, where we could have simple educational programs while the people are waiting for their clinic appointments. To have team members talking and teaching about breast feeding, nutrition, simple hygiene, worm prevention, scabies eradication, malaria prevention, TB, HIV/AIDS prevention etc. Distribution of fortified salt, solar ovens, mosquito netting, clean water sources…

Bwe dlo nan ve, respekte ve
If you drink water in the glass, respect the glass Haitian Proverbs

I think about the news and various talk shows on TV and the obsession everyone has had in the past with travelers who’ve come to America with a multi drug resistant form of TB. The infected traveler has sat for hours on an airplane, exposing a multitude of people to this serious germ. Americans were upset, as they should be! That was the first time I was actually grateful for the self-centered attitude of Americans (and maybe even the world), getting so outrageously upset by this type of exposure to TB. Too bad the appalling attitude didn’t last. I am assuming people don’t realize that TB is still a worldly hazard, and Haiti is really close to our shores. There is no national testing for TB in Haiti. No one knows who may or may not have TB. I have seen mothers die of TB, leaving their young families behind. We should be helping Haiti screening for TB and then facilitate consistent and reliable treatment. This, I believe, is the world’s responsibility, but we can start in a small village, which is better than just talking about it.

Neg di san fe;
People talk and don't act. Haitian Proverbs

Starting an immunization program, of course, would be the ultimate pediatric prevention program, which would be a huge project. Significant research would need to be done prior to initiating and funding something this big. A generator for reliable refrigeration would need to be purchased (we actually would need the generator for multiple other dreams too). I also believe that immunizations would need to be coordinated with the Ministry of Health – likely TB testing would also need to be coordinated with the Ministry of Health. Other expensive dreams would be building a storage room and a simple laboratory with a microscope and simple but reliable diagnostics. We have also dreamed about a computer communication system to confer the more complicated medical cases with stateside physicians. That would mean Internet access at the clinic. We could also discuss fixing up the living quarters for nursing staff (a room has been built above the existing clinic), and both scholar ship money to train Haitian nurses and a salary to retain a nurse. These are all dreams, but I don’t want to just talk.

Piti, piti, wazo fe nich li. Little by little the bird builds its nest. Haitian Proverbs
Little by little we can act together.

Diaries of Past Trips

2009-02-08T13:58:00.001-08:00

Feb, 2006: 12 of us took our first trip to Haiti, arriving in Port-Au-Prince one week after the elections for a new President. The elections were postponed several times from the fall of 2005 to Feb, 2006. When they were finally held, Preval was elected. Political unrest was expected, so flights into PAP were canceled and our flights to Miami were waylaid. There was little to no rioting and we eventually made it into PAP with no difficulties. Our first experience through customs was stressful, but successful and we made it to the village of Gramothe by mid morning. We went directly to the clinic and unpacked, stocked the pharmacy and set up our exam stations. Villagers we forming lines and we were eager to start clinic. We saw over 1000 people in desperate need of medical care. We treated many severe skin and scalp infections, multiple respiratory infections such as pneumonia, bronchitis and asthma. Many children also had ear, eye and sinus infections. We treated all the school children and almost every village child who came to the clinic with de-worming medication, also providing vitamins to each child and to all the lactating mothers. The children who were severely malnourished were also given peanut butter. Many infants and children had other gastrointestinal problems, and we were able to provide medications, re-hydrating solutions and intravenous to those in need. Our pharmaceutical supplies never ran out!
It quickly spread through the mountains that “Le blanc ici” (meaning “the white are here”). There had been no medical team there since September 2005. News traveled fast, and we were faced with crowds of typically 200 patients per day, some traveling for 3 days, over 2 mountains to get to the clinic. We started at 5:00am, organizing ourselves, doing a devotion, eating breakfast and then traveling several miles in the back of an old pick-up truck, over rocky, steep mountain “roads” to the clinic. We ended our patient day as the sun went down, around 6:30, sometimes finishing by flashlight, since there is no electricity in the clinic. Some families actually waited all day to be seen, never complaining, and always appreciative. As we returned to the missionary’s home where we stayed, we had a nice dinner waiting for us. We then took a quick “Haitian bath” (which consists of a bin of water and a pitcher), reviewed important clinical information, and found it important to fellowship and share with one another. Bed wasn’t far off, and soon the roosters and the dogs were waking us up for another day. On Sunday we took the day off and worshiped with the villagers in their beautiful hand made church.
Each day was a new and overwhelming experience, and we felt God’s guidance and presence in everything we did. Our brief mission was safely accomplished. It was hard to leave, since we new there were so many more children to care for. We sadly looked into the binoculars toward the clinic as we were leaving for the airport, and saw yet another line forming. Tears came along with the promise of a return visit.
Brian and Sue (2/2006)

Jan. 2007:
Our team of 16 volunteers took our second medical mission trip to Haiti, where we go to a small mountain village about an hour away from Port-Au-Prince, the capital of Haiti. The clinic where we work is in the middle of a very steep and rocky mountain, in a very poor village, where people have very small, concrete houses, no running water or plumbing (no toilets or showers), no electricity, which means they have no appliances, they cook on a fire outside, they have no roads, no cars, no stores…they eat what they can grow amidst the rocks, they have very little live stock, only a few chickens or goats; a few have a pig.
The villagers have to walk to the middle of the mountain where a cistern has been built to collect water from a fresh spring at the top of the mountain which then comes down the mountain and out of a spigot, where they fill their buckets with water, then carry the full water buckets on their heads back to their homes, miles away, to use for drinking, cooking, washing and watering their fields. Phew - It is a very difficult life.
The missionaries who we stay with have built a church, school and health clinic by the water spigot, so the children can go to school during the day, and bring water home after school. For the children who live too far to travel everyday, there are no public schools, and no clean water.
The reason we go to this village is to provide health care to pregnant women, infants, children and their families, who would otherwise have no health care at all. There are no vaccines, no preventative medicine, and no treatment for anyone when they are sick. They are far away from the city of Port-au-Prince, and there is no form of transportation for them and no money to pay for health care, even if they could get to the city.
They suffer from many kinds of diseases, infections, fungus, skin infestations, intestinal worms and malnutrition – mostly from the intestinal worms, which consume all of the nutrition from whatever food they eat. Since they have very little eggs, milk or meat, they are also anemic which affects their energy level and ability to concentrate. They are very uncomfortable, and it is extremely sad to witness this level of suffering which is so easily treatable. The fortunate children, who live close enough to the school to attend, receive lunch during the school week of rice and beans, vitamins and de-worming medication, which all really helps to keep them much healthier. This may be the only meal they have for the day.
During the time we are there we are able see and treat over 200 people daily. We provide them with medications for infections, infestations and worms, for illnesses we can safely treat; we give each child, lactating and pregnant women vitamins, and we give peanut butter to children who are extremely malnourished – peanut butter is perfect since it is high in protein, high in fat, does not need refrigeration, and tastes great! We also try to provide soap and tooth brushes to as many as we can.
So why do we go to a country which is so far away and on the State Department’s list for travel advisory? That’s a hard question to answer. We believe that God depends on us to do His work. We are his hands and feet. He tries to tell us what he wants us to do, if we just take the time to listen. He gives us a heart for doing something special. We all know that each of us has special gifts, and we glorify God if we use those gifts in ways to help others. It has taken me a lot of years caring for sick children in this country in order to have the confidence and courage to go into a strange country, with unusual diseases and conditions, but God put the situation in front of me, and I listened. I felt it in my heart that I could do this. I just needed to find others that also felt they could serve in this way. I trusted God. Over the year that I decided to try to put together a medical mission team, 11 other people came to me, and we organized our first team. Lots of kids, parents, friends and parishioners heard about our dreams to bring medical care, medication, vitamins and peanut butter to Haiti, and they joined in to help. God has been certain to provide us with what we have needed, with safe travels, and with lots of support from people of all ages, with all kinds of gifts to offer up in service. Children, good health and doing something exciting and adventurous are all my passions, so I guess God knows me pretty well and has given me the opportunity to really enjoy serving Him.
Sue Walsh (1/2007)

Jan. 2008: Hi from Haiti!
Our team of 18 made it through our travels safely and has arrived at the village of Gramothe! We had an angel at the airport who arranged our bag tags and "heavy tags" for our luggage, so we paid no fines for several bags which were definitely over 50 lbs and she allowed us to bring 3 extra bags J Our plane was delayed leaving Miami, so we arrived in Port-au Prince late and had to travel through the city and into the mountains in the dark. We did not have our usual UN escort, which made the journey a little scary and possibly unpredictable, but that's when we felt the presence of your prayers the most – which was a great way to start our mission. As typical, we woke to the roosters and dogs at sunrise and the first thing I did was look through the binoculars to see the people already lined up at the clinic, and walking from every direction to the center of the mountain where the clinic is located. We've had 3 productive clinic days so far, seeing so many in need, with bad infections, skin infestations, worms and more. The good news is that there have also been many healthy pregnant and nursing moms, healthy babies and returning patients coming back to the clinic for refills of their medications! Also, we have with us a wonderful Haitian nurse, who is helping us in so many ways. It would be great if she can continue in the clinic between medical teams! Tomorrow we are going to church and then 2 orphanages to care for the children, then back to clinic Monday and Tuesday. We've had a few heart breakers, with children being very sick, but also with some amazing elderly couples, and our good friend, the 77 year old village midwife and his wife – who asked us if we might have just a little rubbing alcohol we might spare to use for his deliveries (and he was very happy with his new cowboy hat!). We had enough money to purchase everything we needed, and to provide vitamins and peanut butter to all, including the 600 school children here in Gramothe, for the next 6 months. Thank you again for your thoughts and prayers, keep it up – we won't be home until Wednesday! Brian and Sue (1/2008)

Hi from Glenview!
We made it home safely last night, grateful for the country of abundance we live in, but sad to leave our friends in Haiti who are still in so much need. Again we were able to see well over a thousand people in our short clinic week, along with providing everything the 600 school children might need for the next 6 months. We also were able to see, treat the children and provide access to medications and vitamins to 2 orphanages in Port-au-Prince. Brian and David actually had the privilege to help prepare a new home for the orphans with their carpentry work, and move their belongings into their new home during the week. The reconstructed beds and new shelves were very much appreciated!
Another new experience for us this year was to go into the mountains of the village to treat a few people who were too sick to travel down to the clinic. One woman was in congestive heart failure and certainly would not have survived beyond a few more days had we not intervened. Not only were we able to turn around her condition, we also were able to teach our new Haitian nurse, Euclid, how to continue to evaluate her symptoms and provide the necessary mediations, nutrition and nursing advice to keep her stable. Euclid will also be able to do the same for many other villagers we saw who were unable to travel. We all gained such honor and respect for each villager as we climbed just a short way into the mountains, with our healthy bodies, nice shoes, comfortable back packs and fresh water bottles. We saw many patients who walked over 1 or 2 mountains, taking a few days, either being sick themselves or carrying their sick child/children, sleeping outside in the cold mountain air. It’s really unimaginable!
Many of the children were sicker than we’ve ever seen before, with very bad infections and conditions such as kwashiorkor. We had “extra cash” that we were able to use to provide extended care for these children in a hospital in Port-au-Prince. God definitely brought to us those very much in need! But ironically we also saw that the school children were healthier than ever, and we saw many very healthy pregnant women and young infants – all were breast-feeding. We also had the unexpected pleasure of having several people who were so old they actually didn’t know their age, accompanied by grandchildren or great grandchildren, find their way to the clinic. Many were blind from cataracts, but otherwise were in surprisingly good health (no teeth). We provided them with vitamins, arthritis pain medication, eye drops, medication for acid reflux, sun glasses, hats, and gained so much pleasure from seeing such happy, healthy Haitians, who have worked such a hard life – we all were about to burst! You were all definitely there with us, helping us with thought and prayer.
Now we’re back home, many of us off to work today, in our comfortable, clean and well stocked clinics, health care access all around us, seeing the inequity of life, but thanking God for the opportunity to balance things out just a bit, little by little.
God bless all of you!
Brian and Sue (1/2008)

June 2008: Hi everyone - we made it safely to Haiti, and just wanted you all to know that, since many of you have been thinking about us, and praying for our team. Our bags (all 24 of them from Chicago) did not make it to Haiti with us...long story with a convoluted saga about them possibly being on their way to Russia...Brian, Willem, Mary, Laura and Amy learned a new kind of patience waiting in the airport hour after hour, flight after flight...finally the last airplane that came, and the last on the conveyor belt, well after dark, had all the bags with our precious cargo!!!! We have had a lot of rain, which has prevented us from using the trucks up and down the mountain - very, very slippery, which would be unsafe for the trucks.... up so high and so steep. So we have walked back and forth to the clinic - a challenge for many - but we all saw so many people waiting in the rain, having walked much farther than we, with ailments and carrying sick children...no one questioned what we had to do. But our day had to end before we were able to care for everyone, so many slept outside of the clinic in the mud and rain...please pray for all of these people. We are off to clinic this am, and it is not raining yet - in fact I think I might see a shadow!!! :) The rain, wetness and slippery rocks and mud just don't seem to bother the Haitians...they are so patient, gracious, lovely, strong...we are in awe of them and are learning so much from them!!!!I will send more later. Many thanks for your thoughts and prayers (please continue) - Brian and sue (6/2/08)
Hi again -
We've had a wonderful week of clinic!!! God has brought to us many, in spite of the difficult weather conditions, who've been in need for some time. Many women and children, babies and healthy pregnant women have also made their way. In spite of the rain and clouds - the smiles and hugs from the beautiful people here have brightened our days and we don't even miss the sun!!! As you may know from previous pictures you've seen, the village people get very dressed up to come to the clinic, wearing their best clothes - out of respect for us...which in this weather is not very practical... however, yesterday a little toddler was completely enchanting as she toddled around the clinic with smiling eyes and wearing fancy white party shoes, twirling around and tap-tapping her way into our hearts forever :) What a joy this experience always is for us!
We've had enough medications, vitamins and peanut butter for everyone!!! It's been such a blessing. Thank you to so many!!!
One team member, who had been studying the Haitian history and culture including voodoo specifically to share with us and help our understanding, made an interesting observation - she noticed that in spite of all the hunger, strife and malcontent that has been in the media about Haiti in the past 6 weeks and has been part of Haitian history for the past 200 years - here in Gramothe there is a recognition of peace in the villager's expressions, even when they are not engaging in eye contact - just as they walk, work or wait - she did not see that in other cities as we drove from Port-au Prince towards the mountains. These people have so little, but yet they are content...we are all trying to wrap our thoughts around that and to adapt that same attitude - when we are completely honest and open with ourselves, it's not as hard as you might think :)
We'll be worshipping with the village in their church this morning, which is always very moving. We're hoping to get to the orphanage this afternoon. We leave, reluctantly, tomorrow morning.
Thanks again for holding us close in thought and prayer this week.
Brian and sue (6/9/08)

Jan. 2009: Hi everyone!
We arrived safely in Haiti 2 days ago – thank you all for your prayers for traveling mercies! As is typical, we had no internet for several days and a few luggage glitches, but considering we carried over 1 ton of supplies – literally (40 suitcases each with #50 lbs + our carry ons = >1 ton) things went pretty smoothly with all medications and supplies eventually finding their way to Port-Au-Prince. The weather is lovely, the people are welcoming and there are no political issues here – wouldn't you all rather be in Haiti right now?!? We've had 2 full days of clinic; with lines forming before the roosters have awakened. We have not yet been able to see everyone before nightfall, but we have been able to see all babies, sick children, elderly and those traveling from very far away before we leave for the day. The others wait overnight and are happy to be seen sometime the following morning. It gets chilly in the mountains at night and they huddle together (perfect strangers) to keep warm. Their needs are great, and so is their patience and humanity.
I have so many stories to share, but for now I will share just 2…
Many have scabies (skin infestation of mites frequently becoming infected) so we have a makeshift area in the clinic where patients go to have medicated cream applied – males in one area and mothers and children in another. As you can imagine, towards the end of the day we are trying desperately to see and treat as many patients as possible, so the clinic gets very busy and full. So there was a child, a man and a women waiting for scabies treatment. One of our team assumed they were together, so she ushered them into an area and asked them to help put the cream on the child and then on each other in the "private and difficult to reach" spots. As it turned out, not only was the child not their child, but the man and the women were not "together" either – they didn't even know each other! It was great comic relief to realize that we had asked perfect stranger to cover each other in lotion – especially after a very difficult, emotional day…
We saw many sick children, but early in the morning a mother with her infant was urgently brought into the clinic as soon as the line keepers saw the child. The child's entire face, only sparing her eyelids, had been burned and was charred and crusted - her bed sheet lit on fire from a fallen candle on the day we arrived. The small miracle lies in the fact that the rest of her body and her hair was not burned and that just a few minutes prior, we accidentally found a much-needed burn cream in a very unlikely place. We were able to immediately care for this precious child, Melissa, with tenderness, compassion, tears in our eyes and the right medications!
Please pray for those in need J We have many more days ahead of us.
Fondly, Brian and Sue et al (1/09/09)

Jan. 2009: Hi again –
Tonight is our last night in Haiti for now… We closed the week seeing almost 1000 patients, and will provide de-worming medication for 600 more school children (and 20 team members!) We have seen many from Gramothe, the surrounding villages and villages several mountains over, who have carried their sick children for days back and forth to the clinic walking 5,6,7 hours or more each way. One family actually came twice in 2 days for a sick asthmatic child in order to receive nebulizer treatments! Another family with a severely malnourished child returned several days later for us to see how much better the child was doing!!! This distance and their efforts are inconceivable to me and I truly cannot imagine the difficulty of this walk, just for rudimentary health care. Conveying our emotions is very hard to do in such a short email….we have so much to tell, many stories with so many special people behind those stories, and so many wonderful pictures. (I think I'm going to set up a blog when I get home).
It seems like the level of sickness was higher this trip, but we had enough team members, medications and a newly set up lab to all work together for improved care for our Haitian friends.
We appreciate your participation in this mission through your gracious giving and helping, caring and prayers. My hope is that you all somehow feel a part of our trip!
We all have heavy hearts as we pack and prepare to come home - and it's not because of the snow and below zero weather in Chicago - but because there is so much more to do here!
God bless -
Sue and Brian and the rest of the Little by Little team (1/14/09)

5/20/09 Hi Everyone -
We arrived safely to Gramothe, Haiti and have quickly moved into "high achievement mode". ALL of us and our 40 suitcases made it with absolutely NO glitches!!! And when we arrived into the village that evening we found almost 200 people waiting for us...they had heard we were coming into town on Wednesday, and thought there would be clinic that day! The day came and went with everyone just waiting and waiting (patiently, I might add)...so, your prayers for our safe arrival and for God to bring us people who need our care were definitely heard!!! We got up to the mountain first thing Thursday morning to full smiles and hearty "Bonjours"! Just imagine...that would never happen in the states!
It has been raining here constantly, but somehow the downpours have been very strategic with our plans. No rain during the long truck ride from the airport AND no rain until every suitcase was completely unloaded - no rain going back and forth from the clinic - including our walk outside back and forth to the school for lunch!!! It has been amazing to watch God keeping us safe and dry.You may not be able to appreciate this little miracle to the extend that we do - but believe me...it is very significant!!! And the best part of this is that Willem (from Mountain Top Ministries) has completed the waiting/education room which holds more than 200 people sitting on benches and has standing room beyond that, so most everyone patiently waiting for us has been kept dry.
Our team is very prepared and is working so very hard to see everyone during the day so no one has to stay overnight, but again, your prayers for people to find us have been answered...there are so many waiting, we have to give return numbers to more than 100 for the next day - and people are walking from farther distances than ever, and have many unusual ailments.
We started right away with our TB screening, so our timing will work out well to read the skin tests we are placing. We were welcomed at the school with the kindergartners singing to us and showing us there good manners with formal greetings in french :)
We also had the opportunity to send a small team to another school in Petionville to care for the children and teachers. This team was also greeted with song and smiles! How precious everyone is!
We are caring for a man with congestive heart failure, stopping at his home each morning and evening, trying to develop a safe medical plan to save his life. He is in a bad way - so please pray for him. I am more than humbled (is there a more expressive word for that in english?) as I walk into his little stone home. It is one small room with one concrete bed, a small table, several ragged blankets and towels, a rope to hang the few clothes they have, a bucket to urinate in, and at least a dozen family members around this patriarch, loving him and doting on him. Children were sleeping on the floor, along with a woman sitting crossed legged with her nursing infant on her lap (can't imagine the back ache). As we entered this home there was an aura of contentment that is beyond our American comprehension!!! How can I bottle this peace and love the Haitians seem to have in spite of their harsh living conditions and political disaster of a failed state?
Thank you all for remembering us as we carry you along on this journey - we feel your prayers and support!
Love, Brian and Sue and all our team

5/27/09 It's the time of the morning when the crows are still active but the dogs have settled. I can hear the quiet sounds of the river, no longer angry with the rapid rush from the full and fast rains from the days prior. The sky has broken and I see the contrast of the beautiful Haitian blue peaking above the quilted green of the mountains. Its not yet bright - the sun has been very shy this trip, but the peace and calm of this moment reminds me that this is God's way. We've experienced a week of high energy, resilience and peace, with the Haitian people as our example. I am repeatedly amazed how a person suffering from anemia/malnutrition along with an array of ailments and a life of poverty and difficult weather can be so strong in body and heart.
We will always have visions of parents and siblings carrying children over one or two mountains, through rocky, muddy, steep paths, waiting all day for medical care. We will remember the man with a year old foot injury whose foot and ankle were swollen, his heel bone was exposed. He was wearing sandals that were pure trash. I remembered him from a year ago, when we saw and treated him with several antibiotics and anti fungals, shaking our heads, thinking that he was surely going to loose his foot. We even had our doubts of him surviving overwhelming infection, but yet here he was, telling us that he was better and thanking us for this care and a new pair of sandals. How did this man get to clinic? We can barely handle walking with our healthy bodies and the best all terrain shoes we can by?
Your prayers and God's perfect timing have been evident throughout this trip most specifically as our team pulled together yesterday. Our goal was to NOT leave the clinic with anyone not seen (every night we left with heavy hearts that 70-100 people would have to return the next day). We had our perfect plan - we had become a well oiled machine! We have seen many pregnant women, all doing amazingly well, so I was not surprised to see another sweet woman, looking about 7 months along, patiently waiting on the bench for her turn, her countenance calm. About a 1/2 hour later, I am told that her water bag very unexpectedly just broke, and she is having contractions. We were not prepared to deliver a 26 week premie...we cared for her as we waited for a truck to take her to the hospital. Over the wet, rough mountain roads her contractions increased in frequency and intensity, passing the bloody mucous that indicates that delivery is eminent. But we made it, and she was quickly brought into the hospital. Through all of this, the rest of the team continued seeing patient after patient, and at the end of the day, each person waiting was seen. We never had a down pour, just some light rain which was actually refreshing after such a sweaty day.
Melissa, the 18 month old who was so badly burned in January, was pure sunshine as her mother brought her back to see us. Miraculously the skin on her face was fully healed. She has scars, but not nearly to the extent we were anticipating. And most surprising is that the new skin is pigmented. She was toddling and smiling, well nourished and her mom was absolutely beaming!!! The joy of these moments are really unexplainable.
We are packing up to leave for the airport, and with each wet, muddy piece of clothing we are putting into our suitcase, we are remembering each experience, each tear, each smile...if only we could pack up this Haitian strength, resilience and peace...
Thank you all, over and over, for joining us on this journey. We have felt your interest, support, and prayers!!!!!
Brian and Sue and team