The Most Important Post of the Week

“Those words from the Lord’s Prayer, ‘your kingdom come, your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven’, were and are a clarion call to Jesus’ followers not just to proclaim the good news, but to be the good news, here and now.”
-Matthew 5:3-10

The following blog post was written by Diane Kehrli. Diane is a nurse practitioner who works at one of the busiest ERs ono the west coast. She also volunteers as the Medical Director for Three Angels Children’s Relief in Haiti- the organization that is currently caring for our Sweet P. Throughout the year, Diane oversees the medical care of all 15 kids currently living in the Angel House, and is helping develop and coach the Haitian staff at Three Angels community medical clinic. 

Below Diane shares her heart for sweet Daphne- one of Sweet P’s precious little friends. Daphne was found abandoned at a church, and was brought to the police, who then brought her Haitian Social Services (IBESR). In April of 2015, IBESR brought her to the Angel House, where she has been living ever since. Kevin and I were lucky enough to spend time with her twice while we were there visiting Sweet P last year, and after reading the following post written by Nurse Diane, I feel incredibly compelled to advocate for her here today.

Every time I walk into the Angel House, she is the first child I look for.

Last April was the first time I saw Daphne. She was propped in a highchair, almost completely unresponsive. She did not make a sound, and she did not cry. She could not feed herself. She could not sit up on her own, but could pull herself up to stand. Daphne would spend her nights not sleeping, but standing- looking out the window by her bed. If you caught her eyes, sometimes for a brief second, she would smile.

When we receive a child at Three Angels, they are usually malnourished and neglected. Often, they may have developmental delays and health problems. In many cases, they have never bonded with anyone and do not know what it means to be safe. Daphne showed all the classic signs of neglect and fear.

(Upon arrival to the Angel House, Daphne was so weak she could not support her weight to walk.)

I returned to Haiti in September and was simultaneously disappointed and encouraged by Daphne’s progress. She had been diagnosed with epilepsy, and her seizures were being controlled with medication. She had made progress since I had last seen her- but that progress was painfully slow compared to what I had seen with some of our other children.

And yet, Daphne’s sweet smile was there more than ever.  Her little arms tried to hug me when I held her. She smiled and looked at me for moments when I would talk to her. She recognized her nannies, and it was easy to see that she loved them. She loved sitting in the swing, and she had favorite toys. She was starting to verbalize sounds, and with help, she was beginning to learn how to walk. Her sweet spirit had continued to emerge, and I felt hopeful.

This January, once again, I walked into the house and I looked first for Daphne. So far, her winter had been rough. Her seizures had broken free of the medication, and she had been hospitalized while the doctors tried to control them. New medications made her balance more precarious and more sleepy. The nannies, nurses and I were all concerned. I found almost no progress in walking, talking, or any of the normal developmental milestones we look for. It broke my heart.

So this is where we now stand. After spending significant time with her, with additional research and consultation, we are moving toward a diagnosis of cerebral palsy. Finding the best care for Daphne in a country so lacking in resources will be a challenge, but it is one we at Three Angels willingly embrace. I am hoping you will embrace it with us. Because out of all of our children, Daphne will need a village of people to help her grow.

~ Diane

Would you please consider partnering with Three Angels Children’s Relief to provide Daphne with the care she deserves?

Along with epilepsy, Daphne has some musculoskeletal issues and significant developmental delays, and possible cognitive disability. To diagnose cerebral palsy, their next step is an MRI of her brain and spine. She also needs protective equipment, specifically a protective helmet, so she can move around without head injury (she falls often) and a better chair for her to sit and eat in. This stabilizes her torso and gives her the best chance to feed herself and develop more fine motor function. She has outgrown the high chair they have her in right now. Here is a breakdown of some of the specific costs they need covered right away:

• MRI of Brain and Spine:    $1300
• Protective helmet                $180
• Chair                                  $360
• Leg Braces                          $500
• Shipping                             $100

Three Angels is looking for direct donations for Daphne as well as ($49) monthly Orphan Care Sponsors for her. This will allow them to address these immediate needs and provide for her longer term care.

Would you join us in being the good news for Daphne, here and now?

Here’s a link to the page where you can donate: Three Angels Children’s Relief/donate

Because Three Angels is a non-profit organization, your donation (of any amount) is tax deductible. Just be sure to write “Daphne” in the comment field when you’re making your online payment.

And if you feel compelled to share this post on social media or via email, please don’t hesitate to do so. Three Angels is also looking for adoptive parents for Daphne, so my hope is that these words make their way to her forever family too. Thank you, friends!