It has been well over a year now since we opened the ICU tent.  This tent is where we keep the sickest kids.  The ones that are knocking on death’s door.  The ones that need 24/7  care.  The ones that we do not think are going to make it.  We started staffing it with ladies from right here in the village.  Some could read and write; some could not.  This area of care really needs a doctor that has experience with malnourished kids in a rural setting with not many laboratory or treatment options, but sometimes you just have to take what God gives you and go with it. 

God began to send these special ladies to me.  Some were older and had kids, some were young, and some were in the middle.  They all needed a job and they all were able and willing to learn to care for these severely malnourished kids.  They don’t  just care for them, but love them.  When a child is admitted into our facility, their families are welcome to stay, but most do not.  Really, most cannot because they must work to provide food for themselves and the rest of the kids at home. We together become their mamas.  We hold them, love them, dress them, change them, clean them, love them, give them medications, love them, give them food, give them milk and love them some more. 

So many of the children are very neglected when they arrive.  They are scared and they are in pain.  They are in need of a special touch.  God allows us each and every day to experience His work through these children.  He show us so much through them.  He teaches us.  It is a true honor to able to hold them and love them. 

We see kids each day that are near death.   They need food and medications and love.  Imagine a family with no hope that their child will live.  We sometimes are the last stop for them.  They have been to other places and the child gets worse or stays the same.  They decide to try and see what we can offer.  When they leave their child and return in a few weeks to see them,  the improvement that they see is really life changing for them.  It gives us the opportunity to talk to them about God.  To tell them about Jesus.  To show them how much He loves them.  To give them hope in HIM.

Do you believe that it can be that simple?  I do.  I have seen it time and time again.  It is why we continue to do what we do each and everyday.  So what do you do when the ICU tent is full and you need more room?  You create it.  You take what you have and make it work.  You trust each and every day that God is going to provide all that you need to care for these little ones that He has brought to your door.

In the 19 years that we have been here, He has not let us down one month.  Not even one day!  Each and every month, God has provided all our needs to be able to stay open and do what we do.  Some days it blows my mind to realize that God is so concerned about these little ones.  He sees their suffering and knows…really knows them.

So I just wanted to share a little of my heart with you so you could know why the ICU tent is so important to me and the kids.  We are needing some help with the payroll for these wonderful ladies.  It currently costs us $1294.00 per month to pay the ladies to care for about 20 severely malnourished children.  I would love for this need to be met for the next 6 months.

Once these beautiful kids are healed and well, they return back home with their families. 

If you are interested in helping out with this need, please use the paypal button in the upper right hand corner of the blog.  Or you can send donations to RHFH, P.O. Box 23, Elwood, IN 46036.  Please include a note or memo letting us know it is for ICU nannies.  We thank each of you that continue to pray for us, the staff, the kids and Haiti.  We feel it and need it.  We appreciate you!  We want to thank God as well for always being beside us…never leaving us….and always providing for ALL of our needs.  To HIM be all the glory!  If you have any questions please let me know at licia@realhopeforhaiti.org