Hello to everyone. I am Hudson, a longtime staff member at Real Hope for Haiti (RHFH). Over the years, I’ve encountered many patients and their stories, but none have left an impact on me as that of Gasnold, a young boy whose journey I feel compelled to share with you.

Gasnold arrived at our clinic when he was just 7 or 8 years old, facing a life-threatening condition: his heart would intermittently stop, requiring immediate cardiac massage to revive him. Faced with such a critical situation, our team decided to transfer him to the Petit Frères et Sœurs hospital, hoping he would receive the specialized care he desperately needed. Unfortunately, upon arrival, we discovered that the hospital lacked the necessary equipment for his treatment. The doctors there, acknowledging their limitations, advised his mother to prepare for the worst and to inform her husband about their child’s dire condition.

With a heavy heart, Gasnold’s mother, overwhelmed by grief, made the difficult call to her husband. She refused to give up hope for her son, we decided to bring Gasnold back to our clinic in Casale. We were told by the hospital that he would die soon and the family wanted to be closer to their home. Though the streets were safer at that time than they are now, the journey was still difficult and filled with anxiety. During the trip back to Cazale, Gasnold’s heart stopped four times, each requiring emergency cardiac massage.

Upon returning to our clinic, we provided Gasnold with the care and oxygen he needed. We supported his mom the best we could and prayed with her for her son’s healing. After fifteen tense days of observation and treatment, his heart rhythm stabilized. We rejoiced along with his mama that her son was healed.

Years went by without any news of Gasnold. I often wondered about him, fearing that he might have died. Then, about fifteen years later, fate intervened. I unexpectedly ran into his mother, we were both joyful to see each other. Timidly I asked about Gasnold. To my relief, she confirmed that he was alive and thriving. This news was a huge comfort after all the uncertainty and worry. I asked her if Gasnold could visit me at the clinic, as I longed to see him again and hear about his life firsthand. His mother told me that Gasnold often heard about me from her and was eager to meet me.

When Gasnold and I finally reconnected, he shared that while he knew his story from his mother’s accounts, he had no direct memory of his time at the clinic. For me, however, the experience with Gasnold remains the most significant and rewarding of my career at RHFH. It’s a powerful reminder of why we do what we do, and how prayer, perseverance and dedication of a community can truly make a difference in someone’s life.