Prayer Needed…

Well God always has a plan.  I brought Baby Sammy back to his parents, it went so well.  He loves them and they adore him.  They have been very thankful and continue to kiss love and hug on him.  I have it all on tape for when I get them home to show you.

However While we were in the Village Sammy is from the doctor said he wanted to show me a set of triplets that had been born on July 6 (my Jonathans birthday).  We went to the home.  A one room place with 7 children.  The mom was sick and can not take care of them.  We tried to find formula but none anywhere to be found.  The parents showed me 3 empty formula cans that someone had given them.   They said they had been out of formula for 8 days.  They had been giving them sugar water.  They begged me to take them and make  them well like baby Sammy.  So Momma V is now in Port de Paix with 3 infants at yet another missions who have taken us all in for the next two days until I can get these three to port au prince with me. 

We have given them the names of Faith Hope and Grace (as we can not say the names we were told)

Faith and Hope weigh in at 2 pounds.  Grace is 3 pounds.   At the present time they third feeding no vomiting (Praise God) they are coming alert.  Hope and Grace have bad coughs and had a fever which has now broken on both.   We started with an eye dropper earlier today and now all 3 have a suck reflex which is wonderful.  

The Mission we are at is called Lashbrook family ministries.  They are helping me feed them every two hours.  We will do this around the clock all night. 

Please pray that all 3 girls make it through the night, God gives us the wisdom and visa's for these 3.  All of the orphanages I know are over filled and can not take them in. 
They are going to require a lot of care to make it.

 

 

Fabienne Update…

 

Fabienne is out of the hospital and with her new Host family.  Thank you Erica and Mike for helping us out on such short notice. Fabienne can lay on her back. She loves sitting up in a car seat and bouncing in the bouncy seat.  This is great news!  Thank you everyone for your prayers!

 
Love,

V

Christ 4 Kids Music Festival…

 

On August 21, 2009 at 7205 SW 125th Ave in Miami, Florida there is going to be a Christ 4 Kids Music Festival. All funds raised will go directly to the children of Haiti. Admission is only $7.00! Some of the artists that will be appearing are: Rey King, Sky Life, Jblaze and Between Thieves. Check out their website for more information at : http://www.myspace.com/christ4kidsmusicfestival.

Great News!

 

Baby Fabienne Joseph has made it through her surgery and is doing well. I am attaching a few photos of her before and after surgery.
We have already found a new host family for her since her present host family is now being transfered to Florida.  We thank them for all that they did for Fabienne.  Please keep everyone in prayer. 

In Christ Love and Service, 

Vanessa

Congratulations…

 

We want to congratulate Dr. Paul Farmer, who has been appointed Deputy Special Envoy to Haiti by Former President Bill Clinton.    This is a huge honor and will help with the medical in Haiti.  Dr. Farmer has worked in Haiti in the Central Platue for years and has  built a wonderful hospital in that area,  PIH, Partners In Health.  I have personal met Dr. Farmer and he is a very nice man.  He encouraged me to continue working in Haiti and to open the surgery center in Port au Prince. 

Little Angels Surgery Center is scheduled to open its doors officially January 2010.   The third floor to the  building was just put under roof.   We are so happy to be partnered with Haitian Christian Outreach with this project.   So many of our doctors here in the US can not wait to go to Haiti and help so many more children.  We are now scheduling surgery Medical Trips for next year. 
Our Container of equipment landed in Haiti the beginning of August, we pray it will be cleared through customs by September so that we will be able to have our January opening date.  Please keep this in your prayers. 

We are still signing up Individuals and Congregations to donate $100 a month to pay for all of the employees we need to hire and train to make this a huge success.  In our humble opinion the creation of jobs as well as the free surgeries for the children will help save so many lives in Haiti.  If you have any questions about this or need any further information please contact either Tom or Vanessa  at 540 580 9721.  ALL DONATIONS ARE TAX DEDUCTABLE   100% OF ALL DONATIONS GO TO HELPING THE CHILDREN OF HAITI.  Please keep this in your daily prayers. 

Fabienne made it to Chicago for her surgery.   She will have surgery tomorrow morning.  We are however in need of a new host parent as her host family was notified yesterday of a transfer.  So if you or someone you know lives in the Chicago land area please contact Vanessa by email or 540 580 9721.   Please keep Fabienne and all the children awaiting care in prayer. 

Have a blessed week 

Love,

V

They made it to the US

Thank you to all of the Churches who responded and took up a special collection for Solyviens ticket to the US. He and Fabienne arrived in Charlotte airport on July 22 at midnight. A very long day of traveling.

Fabienne is here for surgery on her back and club feet. She is a beautiful little baby girl.

Solyvien is in the Roanoke Valley for the next year. He will under go many surgeries on his leg and foot. He is already adjusting well to life in the US. He is amazed that light comes on each time he flips the switch. So we are having a lot of light flipping. He also loves to go to the sink and turn on and off the water. No Buckets!!

Great News!!

 

PRAISE GOD  Solyvien Favra got his visa! It has taken us 4 years to get this young man the right doctor, hospital and now visa but it is all approved.

 

Solyvien came to me 4 years ago, his leg had been broken years before and his father had no money to have it set properly.  Due to this Solyvien's leg had grown back together at an odd angle.   He has been unable to walk or play soccer.  Now with all of this approved we need to raise the plane fare for both him and his escort to get him to Roanoke. 

 

Please if anyone can help send a check to Angel Missions put Solyvien’s  name in the memo.  The sooner we get this young man to Roanoke the sooner he will be once again able to walk.  It will be a hard road with lots of surgeries and physical therapy but he is so ready for it. 

 
All my love V
Vanessa A. Carpenter
Angel Missions Haiti - Director

Urgent Need for Host Family

Dear Friend and Family,

We have an urgent request for a host family in the Houston Texas area. We have this beautiful little girl Magalie Touissaint dob Jan. 18, 2007, who needs to come to the US for life saving surgery. We have a doctor in the Houston area working to get her accepted at Texas childrens or Ben Taub or Baylor. We are in need of a host family to care for this child in this area. If you or someone you know would be willingto host Magalie please contact Vanessa ASAP. Hosting a child is a life changing event for every family. There is paperwork that must be completed. Magalie was born with a Frontal Nasal Encephalocele. Her CT scan shows that her brain in intact. She has no other medical Conditions. She is a very happy healty 18 month old little girl. We can help her by all working together. Thank you for your help.

love V

Vanessa A. Carpenter

Angel Missions Haiti - Director

Update on "Little Angels Surgery Center"

Packing was completed of all surgical equipment for the Surgery Center on June 20. It must ship in the next 10 days and we are still raising funds to cover shipping and customs. Please if anyone would like to help it is totally tax deductable. Once the equipment is delivered and installed we will be able to help hundreds of children a month. So many more will have life saving surgery quickly. This building was built by Haitian Christian Outreach and is a huge blessing. Haitian Christian Outreach has been a large driving force to get all of the equipment needed. A huge thank you to Pastor Mac and his wife for traveling all over, to get the needed medical equipment to Indiana for shipment. You can check out there web site at http://www.haitianchristian.org

Sammy Update

Hi Everyone,

Well AMH continues to grow. In two weeks I will have at least one part time person to help in the office in Virginia.

Baby Samuel is doing great, here are his latest photos and his letter home to his mommy & daddy who can not believe how many people have come forward to care for their son.

Thank you for all of the prayers he is doing great. love V
Vanessa A. Carpenter

Dear Mommy and Daddy,

How are you? I am doing very well. I went to see the doctor last week. I weigh 10 pounds, 14 ounces and am 23 inches long. I am just starting to sleep through the night now. I still drink about 30 ounces of soy formula every day and I now fit into 0-3 month clothes.

Last week my legs were measured for the braces that will help to straighten my clubbed feet. Hopefully they will be here this week. Then the doctor will fit the braces to my legs. I am supposed to wear them whenever I am asleep, during the night and at nap times. I still kick and move my legs and feet a lot. The doctor says I have good leg movement; he’s very happy about that. All the physical therapy we are doing is helping, too. The muscles in my legs and feet are not as tight as they were before.

I also had my Early Intervention Evaluation last week. A team of therapists came and played with me. They watched me move around and took note of everything I am doing. I kept them very entertained. I have some delays in some areas, mostly physical, but my host mommy Shirley said we knew that I would have some of them. Socially, I am right where they want me to be. I am a very happy, sociable little fellow. The feeding therapist is going to be watching me very carefully because sometimes I get a little choked on my milk.

My surgical sites are all healed up now, and everyone is very pleased, especially with how well my back has healed. My hair is just starting to grow back after the doctor had to shave a small portion of my head to put in the shunt.

I am a very happy little baby. I do not cry a lot, usually just when I am hungry. I like to have playtime on the blanket on the floor and I also like to be held, talked to and sung to. Mommy Shirley says I am a very special little boy to have two mommies who love me so much, and that God must have big plans for me.

Well, I am starting to get hungry again, so mommy Shirley is going to feed me now. I hope you are well. I miss you.

Love,

Sammy

More from The Comfort

THANK YOU THANK YOU THANK YOU...

To The USNS Comfort Medical Ship and personel

When I was asked to help with Project Continuing Promises, I had no idea what I had said YES to.

The last 10 days have been the hardest and happiest all rolled into one . When a medical ship pulled into the country we had no idea what a blessing it would be. I will let the photos tell the story and please email me any questions.

I do not have the final numbers yet but Thousands of people were seen by Medical doctors, eye doctors, urologiest, Ent's and dentists. 158 people were able to have life saving surgeries on the ship USNS Comfort.

Pictures From The USS Comfort

Article on Baby Samuel

Hi Everyone

Just wanted to update you on Samuel's story. Below is the news story. The good news is he had his shunt put in and that is doing well. There is still one spot on his back that is not healing properly that they are watching. He will see ortho next week about his legs he can move them but not straighten them out yet.

This baby has many many angels watching over him. I thank you for your help and prayers for baby Sammy. love V

http://www.roanoke.com/community/virginia/religion/wb/196950

Article In The Zanesville Times Recorder

They call me 'Mama V'
Former area resident making an impact with nonprofit organization
By LORI LAW • Correspondent • February 15, 2009


In Haiti, where Vanessa Scurlock Carpenter, formerly of Somerset, flies nearly every month to bring children to the United States for lifesaving surgeries, she is called "Mama V."
At her full house in Virginia, which she shares with her husband Tom Carpenter, formerly of Zanesville, and the 11 children still at home, she is usually answering to "Mom." Director of the nonprofit organization, Angel Missions Haiti, Carpenter said that she is only doing what she has been called to do. "I'm just a mom and this is what I do. This is what God has called me to do," she said. For the hundreds of children whose lives have been changed and in many cases, saved, Mama V and the work she does will not be forgotten, just as she will not forget them or leave them to be forgotten. "I was blessed to grow up in Ohio, where there is medical care for those who need it. Haiti has opened my eyes to the fact that no matter how many times we see it on TV or hear these stories, until we have visited and seen with our own eyes, smelled the poverty, held a baby while it passed away due to no medical care, we cannot understand what it is like to live in a third world country," Carpenter said. Angels Mission Haiti coordinates medical care and provides education to children, families and for Haitian physicians, with the hope that someday their efforts are so successful, Carpenter said, as to put the mission out of business. It has been a journey for Carpenter, measured in more than the miles between the U.S. and the island nation of Haiti, but in the faces of the children she has nurtured. "I've always known that I would work with abused, neglected and unwanted children, from a very young age. When I met my husband, I told him that this is what I plan to do with my life," Carpenter said. "If you are OK with that, then stick around. And he stuck around from our first date on. We have fostered well over 160 children in our 28 years of marriage. We have adopted some and been guardians of some and made sure that all of them could always feel like they had a home. "A few years ago, when we felt that we were done adopting out of the foster care system, God had other plans and I went on a mission trip to Haiti and saw the devastation and need down there and couldn't turn my back on it, so I have been going back for the last nine years now doing anything and everything, serving orphanages, starting schools, running medical programs and now we are in the process of opening a surgery center in Port-au-Prince. "The surgery center, Carpenter said, is being built under American standards so that American doctors can go down and teach the Haitian doctors on the equipment that is being made available in Haiti. "We work with doctors around the country. Over the past nine years, I have brought hundreds of children to the United States for life saving surgeries and the doctors have always said to me that if only they had a place there to operate, they could save more than the one or two that their hospital here allows them to help," she said. "God has opened the doors and we will have a surgery center with two operating rooms and a 30-bed recovery center. "Once open they will bring fewer patients to the U.S. for the surgeries. Drawing no salary for her work as director and working in conditions with no electricity, no running water, no sewer systems, and hurricanes, floods and often political unrest, Carpenter said that she has never been afraid in Haiti, calling the people there beautiful, kind, welcoming and grateful . Her mother, Imelda Scurlock of Somerset said that she was worried at first. "But I learned early on when I prayed about it and let go and let God. That was when my worries just went away. I have seen what it means to her and the good that she is doing. She is doing what she has been called to do," Scurlock said. That family partnership in the mission's work is vital to the work Carpenter does, she said of her husband, Tom. "He's a saint. He puts up with me. We both wholeheartedly believe in this. He has been to Haiti and seen the need and his way of helping is to be here, taking care of the family and earning money so that we can go to Haiti and help some more," she said. "Haiti will follow us wherever we go," Tom Carpenter said. "I am incredibly fortunate. Life has just continued to be blessings all along. It is not about what we are doing. It is about us doing God's work. It is about the kids. This is just what we were supposed to be doing."

Baby Grace

For all of you who remember Baby Grace.... Here is her update. Baby Grace is now doing great, and she has chubby cheeks that you just want to kiss. I was so excited to get to see her in March. She is doing so well, and has a new forever family who will be keeping her name I am told. Baby Grace was on the blog in August. A woman found her in the trash pile and brough her to us. She was covered with bites from fire aunts and had to be hospitalized for over a month to get well. After her release from the hospital she went to live with some missionary friends of ours, and now she has a forever family. Her parents, Judy & Geoff, and her older siblings look forward to helping her grow up and have a wonderful life. Please continue to pray for all the children in Haiti

Our Fresh Start

Hi to all and thank you for your love and support of Angel Missions. I am Vanessa or ""Moma V". I prefer to stay behind the sceens and just work. But it has been brought to my attention over and over that people want to hear from me since I am the one in Haiti each month. So I am going to give it a try. God continues to open many doors for us in Haiti. At the present time we are doing the medical visas for children. And working with many different NGO's and other missionaries to get both children and adults life saving surgery. For years I have had the doctors here in the US tell me, "Vanessa if we only had a place to operate in Haiti we could save so many more childrens lives". Well in September God brought Pastor Roro and I together. We discussed our work in Haiti and he offered me use of a building he had just completed. We are now working on the finial touches of a Pedatric Surgery Center in Port au Prince. The building is Good Samaratin Clinic home to Little Angels Surgery Center. When finished our goals are to rotate teams of doctors to do surgeries in Haiti so that the children will not have to leave their parents. While doing this we have partnered with two Haitian surgeons who will be learning new life saving techinques. These operations are either not avaliable in Haiti or the cost is so high the average person cannot afford the medical care. Our Goal is to set up a facility that is run and mantained by Haitian Doctors and staff, with us only visiting and offering assistance when needed.
Our new goals with the blog are the following:

1. Give you updates on the children who have received care, and those in the U.S. at the present time.
2. We also hope to focus on one or two children a week who are in need of medical care in hopes that a hospital and doctor will come forward and volunteer their services.
3. Keep you informed on the progress of the surgery center.

This is our new start. If you have questions or comments please email me directly at AngelMissions@hotmail.com I look forward to hearing from you.

Vanessa A. Carpenter
Angel Missions Haiti - Director

Hi Everyone,
I wanted to give you an update on baby Samuel. He arrived late Thursday night in Roanoke after an amazing week. Vanessa met him at the airport and took him directly to the hospital where they have taken great care of him. We have been so humbled by the outpouring of support for this baby. Folks have donated money and time and together we were able to not only get his visa within two days, but had him out of the country and on his way by Friday...three days ahead of the schedule we had set. American Airlines stepped forward to arrange for an emergency transportion escort for Samuel that was much less expensive for Angel Missions than us paying for a last minute ticket!! A couple of remarkable airline employees (from two different airlines) volunteered to sheperd the baby from Port au Prince to Roanoke, a feat which we have not ever been able to arrange before now. Little Sam has many friends! The baby made the trip well, but the fragile sac on his spine sprung another leak during travel and the doctor was unable to do the surgery on Friday. Dr. Apfel did not want to take a chance that the baby had any infection as operating with this type of complication would be a death sentence for him. So, he has spent the weekend under the watchful eyes of the nurses and his host mom. He is quite small (only 4 1/2 pounds) but he's showing himself to be very resilent. He rarely cries and seems comfortable. We are hoping that he will be able to have the surgery on Monday or Tuesday of this week.
Samuel and his family still need our prayers. The baby will be here for some time and will need at least two surgeries. His family in Haiti did a remarkable job with him and his mom continued to nurse him as he remained in a hospital in PAP waiting to leave. Please pray for them that they have some peace that all that we are doing all we can for their little boy. Also, please say some prayers for the baby, his dedicated host mom and the wonderful doctos and nurses who are volunteering their time and skills to give this little guy a chance at a healthy life. We want to say thank you to everyone who has been giving us support as we worked to get the baby to the US and to those who generously donated their time and funding to meet with the costs of the trip. Without you all, our mission would not be a success!
Blessings,
Fran & Vanessa
Angel Missions Haiti

Samuel Needs Our HELP!!

We need a host family and some transportation funding for this little man ASAP! Little Samuel was born last week and we were told of him shortly afterwards. He will be having surgery for a spinal condition as soon as we can possibly arrange it. This is his only opportunity to survive and we are praying we are able to pull it all together quickly. A doctor in Roanoke, Virginia has agreed to do the surgery and is speaking with the local hospital. If you can help or know anyone who might be able to provide a home for Samuel during his stay, please let us know. If you would like to donate to his transportation fund, please do! You can use Paypal or send the funds via mail to Angel Missions Haiti.

As Promised...

...some photos of little Ellie Paul. Isn't he adorable? This little peanut had his surgery about two weeks ago to treat his hydrocephaly. Dr. Warf gave it only a 50% chance at success. His host mom Kim reported though that he has done incredibly well! At his check-up yesterday, the doctor was really pleased. Ellie has gained 5 pounds and is cooing at his host mom. This little man had quite a ordeal before coming to the US and it is amazing that he even made it here for surgery! We know his family in Haiti will be thrilled to see these photos of how well he is doing.
Thanks to Kim & Gwen for the great pics!

Merry Christmas to All!

Happy Holidays Everyone!

We hope this message finds you all enjoying friends & family during this holiday season. We wanted to take a few moments to update you on the children we currently have here in the US and give you some big news for our program in 2009.

The picture above is of little Chrisno. Chrisno came to the Roanoke area back in late summer/early fall for surgery to treat his hydrocephaly. The surgery went really well and he has done super during his recovery. His host family has been wonderful and he has made so many gains. His mother won't recognize him when he returns to her next month. We are also thankful to the Gunnell family for organizing an incredible fundraiser for AMH! Those much needed funds will go to help us develop a medical program in Haiti so that we can arrange treatment for more children.

This happy elf below is little Lena. You all will remember that she was so very tiny when she arrived that we had to delay her cleft surgery until she had gained some weight. Since that time, she has grown and changed so much! Her last surgery took place last month and she is ready to return to Haiti and her mother. Next month, Lena will travel with a mission team and be reunited with her family. I can't wait to see those photos! We send many thanks to Sarah (her host mom) and family for taking such wonderful care of Lena during her time here.

Little Pierre has also grown quite a bit since he arrived this past summer. Pierre had a terrible time during his first month here and was hospitalized in intensive care down in South Carolina. It took doctors there over a week to figure out what was wrong and he was diagnosed with Diabetes Insipidus. This is an usual condition where his body struggles to keep his sodium levels stable. There also seem to be some endrocrine system issues that will need to be monitored. We are hopeful that Pierre is with his last host family and will soon have his cleft surgery. Many doctors we approached would not agree to do the surgery due to his other medical conditions. We are very thankful that he will soon be on his way to a happy & healthy life.

The fourth little one here is Ellie Paul who is with our good friend, Kim and her family in PA. Ellie had surgery recently to treat his hydrocephaly and has done remarkably well. I will try and post a photo soon so you can see his sweet face.

Our big announcement for growth in 2009 will be made soon. Vanessa and Tom have been working endlessly to pull everything together....and there are many pieces to this puzzle! I have been so impressed how things have been coming along and the people that God has brought together to make this project possible. We hope to have the project up and running during the first quarter of 2009 and are so thankful for all our partners both here and in Haiti who are working to make it possible for AMH to provide desperately needed care to hundreds and dare we pray thousands of Haitian children.

Best Wishes to you all for a Happy & Healthy New Year!