Bondye-- mwen pa kapab fè anko!

I have been at a four births since being in Haiti and without exception, all of these women when they are nearing transition yell out, "Bondye-- mwen pa kapab fè anko!" (God, I can't do this anymore!) Today as I was out checking on Francette (the lady who does laundry for the orphanage), I saw the Haitian Red Cross attempting to rescue someone who was trapped and still alive under a collapsed cement building. (And had been for 2 days.) As I stood there listening, I heard people around me talking. Her first child was taken out from the rubble and was dead and lying in a body bag right in front of me. She wailed and wailed because of the death of her child. But she sat there, clinging to her husband for support because she knew she still had a living child under the rubble. The rescue went on for a while. The smell of death made everyone cover their faces until someone finally brought out a jug of formaldehyde and started splashing it all over the body bag. We waited and waited while people continued to dig. After some time had passed they were passing water in as they'd apparently found the person and were getting them water. More time passed... and while the rescue continued, the child died. When they came out with the news that the child died the mother wailed and wailed and wailed, "Bondye! Mwen pa kapab fè anko!" In my mind, images of women delivering their babies flashed through my mind in a slideshow... "Bondye... Mwen pa kapab fè anko! Mwen pa kapab fè anko! Mwen pa kapab fè anko!" And I realized as I was standing there that every time a woman said that during labor I knew she was wrong. I knew she could. I knew she was in pain but it would pass and it would be totally worth it. Today, my heart sunk as I realized this woman who was in such pain today was in a pain that would never pass...

Comments

  1. Wow, a great post. My heart is broken too. A friend of ours, an older man hasn't been heard from yet. Such a tragedy. http://beauty4moms.blogspot.com/2010/01/reaching-for-comfort.html
    Thank you for this post.

    God Bless,
    Ashley
    Beauty4Moms

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  2. The Lord bless you and keep you, the Lord make his face to shine upon you and be gracious to you, and give you peace.

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  3. :(
    "God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble. Therefore we will not fear, thoug the earth give way and the mountains fall into the heart of the sea, though its waters roar and foam and the mountains quake with their surging.
    There is a river whose streams make glad the city of God, the holy place where the most High dwells. God is within her, she will not fall; God will help her at the break of day."

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  4. I cannot imagine what that mother is going through now. I am too afraid to imagine. I have a little boy too, who is my whole world. I am so sorry for everything going on. You are a good person for bringing her story to life. Her grief is our grief. I can tell how affected you were by how you felt that moment. I am so hear broken for her and though I have donated to Haiti, I wish I was there to dig through the rubble. More strength to you. You are in my prayers.

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  5. loYou are so brave! You are doing God's work. I think you are an angel for the work that you do. I have a Masters in Education and was a daycare/preschool teacher before I had my children. I think anyone who helps God's children is blessed. Trust me when I tell you that if I could go and help, I would. But I can't leave my children and my husband. My youngest is 20 months.
    On another note, if you go to another birth, please teach the midwives this....
    Here is a prayer that I honestly feel the holy spirit gave to me weeks before my son was born while on bed rest laying quietly in my room. I am Catholic. I said this in the OR when he took his first breath, as well for my daughter Isabelle. (They were C section babies)
    From your first to your last breath may God Bless you and keep you. Tell this to the midwifes.
    By the way...How on earth did you end up where you are now?
    Melanie Pepin 32 yrs
    MA melanie_pepin@yahoo.com

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  6. This will stay with me. Beautifully written. My heart goes out to you all.

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  7. This post really conveyed the pain that is going on in Haiti...

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  8. Thank you for sharing this and for allowing CNN access to your words.
    May God rain down His mercy on Haiti.

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  9. We are united in prayer with the people of Haiti in their suffering. I am a volunteer in Miami with the Missionaries of Charity (Mother Teresa's order) the Sisters on this side have not heard any news on their house in Jacemel,we believe many children were living there. Please can you give us any information. God Bless you

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  10. It`s terrible what you and the people of Haiti is going through.My thoughts and prayrs will be with you. God bless you and this mum you are telling us about.

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  11. The sadness is so heavy. But, I will share a bright spot in this dark time. I am the director of a non-profit doula program in the Tampa Bay, FL area. Two days ago, we had a Haitian girl go into labor early due to the stress of not being able to contact her family in Haiti. She came to the local hospital all alone. With the help of one of my dedicated doulas she was able to deliver a beautiful little baby. We are working with her to give her support during this difficult time.
    This disaster has more far reaching effects than most of us can imagine.
    Keep the faith!
    Sue Garcia
    Tampa Bay Doula Project

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  12. God Bless you and everyone touched by this disaster. My friend lost his nephew, Ryan Kloos, in the earthquake. May God be with you in the days and weeks ahead.

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  13. We have posted funds and said prayers but feel so helpless to aid more in this dire situation. This is so horrible.

    My husband and I sit and cry as we watch the coverage but can't turn away because it feels like turning our backs on you.

    Lord Jesus be with you in your suffering.

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  14. As a mother who has lost a child, I can tell you that you are so right. I grieve for all of the mothers in Haiti losing a child or multiple children in addition to everything else in their lives being in turmoil. Thank you for this beautiful post that moved me to tears. I am praying for you and everyone in Haiti, specifically that you are able to receive critical supplies and SOON. Thank you for all that you do.

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  15. I am praying for you.
    May God be your strong tower!

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  16. I have been following with a broken heart the events in Haiti. I had yet to shed a tear until reading your blog. Partly for anguish for the mother but mostly for your the compassion and love that you and your husband have for the people of Haiti. How brave an act you have undertaken. God bless and thank you two for being outstanding humans.

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  17. Oh wow what a great post... This is certainly heart breaking to hear and read.
    http://couponmommyof2.blogspot.com/

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  18. Oh this made me bawl my eyes out. Thank you for posting it.

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