More Details about the Boy with the Burn

The HAFF clinic is an integral part of the Bohoc community and the staff works hard to provide good care at a low cost. Burn accidents are common here in Haiti where the family meal is cooked over an open fire, homes are lighted by kerosene lamps and small children are always underfoot. Gauze, hydrogen peroxide and especially Silvadene burn cream, used to treat burns, are frequently in short supply.

We serve a God who provides exactly what we need, when we need it. In January, a couple of store rooms were cleaned out. In the process, a jar of generic Silvadene burn cream was found. About the same time, HAFF received a box of medical supplies from supporters in the U.S. containing, among other things, gauze. Without this box, we would not have had the gauze needed to clean the burn.

HAFF's two auxiliary nurses work together in situations like this like the well coordinated team they are. Madame Telius collected gauze, hydrogen peroxide and Silvadene burn cream. Madame Telius and Madame Emmanuel began by using the gauze to clean the wound with hydrogen peroxide. After the wound was clean, Madame Emmanuel slathered on the Silvadene burn cream. The entire process took about thirty minutes. The pain of a burn like this is severe. But, the silvadene cream is amazingly soothing. After being as brave as a two year old can be during the process of cleaning the burn, the little boy calmed down in the arms of his father. To further protect against infection, the parents were also given amoxicillin.

It was a great joy to see, a month later, that infection had been averted and the treatment had been helpful and the little guy's back is healed! Our bodies are indeed fearfully, and wonderfully made!

We praise God for His provision in continuing to provide partners – those who provide the finances to pay salaries and those who send supplies – for the work we do in central Haiti!