Cholera Epidemic again!!

   The Bible refers to “the enemy coming in like a flood”, and that’s about the extent of the cholera situation in Allegre, at the GTH CTC (cholera treatment center). For over a month, the tide of cholera patients passing through our gates has decreased to the point where, as recently as last week, we might only see one mildly ill person in an entire day.

   But that all changed on Sunday. For whatever reason- we haven’t had time to investigate possible causes- the cholera epidemic in the neighboring zone of Girard has suddenly escalated, and by Sunday evening we went from a dark, silent, locked up building, to the busy activity of a fully functioning CTC. And people have been pouring through ever since; today we were scrambling to discharge enough people to give place for incoming ones. They come on donkeys, mules, stumbling in on foot, or if more severe, carried in litters by crowds of anxious neighbors, relatives and friends. It’s just like June all over again.

   But we’re hoping and praying that this is just a more localized incident that will blow over within a few weeks. A similar occurrence happened in CAM’S La Source clinic in the northern part of Haiti last month; they were suddenly overwhelmed by cholera cases after basically nothing for months, but it completely passed by after two weeks. We’re praying that God will graciously allow this to pass away soon as well, but He alone knows what will be. Further complicating the situation for us is the fact that our generator motor died last week, making it challenging to keep electric 24/7, as of course we need light at the CTC around the clock. Pray that God would provide for this need as well, in His own perfect time. We’re not worried. Worry is such a waste of time when God is so obviously in control.  

God bless you, keep praying!!! We need it down here too.

In Christ, Steve

P.S. We’ll try to get some pics on soon….