Team Transition

The team mentioned in the previous post made it back in time to see the snow in Knoxville. The next team (leaving Tuesday) has now been briefed and is preparing to go down.

Updates are HERE!!!

Please take some time to read through some of the updates for this past week. It has been a super busy week and most of the team that helped to establish the clinic in Port au Prince is heading back to home today.

Please pray for traveling mercies for:

Norris Hill

Melissa HIll

Steve Moldrup

Renee Moldrup

Terry Douglass

Mindy Meyer

Terry Guthe

as they brave the weather and make their way back to Knoxville today.

Our next team of doctors/nurses is gearing up and preparing to head down this upcoming Tuesday, February 2nd, to continue to provide care at the newly establish clinic for Pastor Jude's Church.

Update: Harvest Field Ministries #12

Update from Brian Lloyd of Harvest Field Ministries

The last several days since I returned from Haiti have been very busy. We have been working diligently to get more help for our friends in Haiti. Here is an update on where we are on several fronts.

Our medical team is back safely – they worked extremely hard in difficult situations, spending the majority of time in Leogane, which was extremely devastated by the earthquake. They helped hundreds of people and we are so thankful for their willingness to give. We are pleased that our flatbed truck was able to be utilized as an ambulance for several days to help transport those who could not make it to the hospital. The medical team we worked with, a group of great guys from Iowa and Minnesota, (associated with worldwidevillage.org) are incredible and we hope to be able to team up with them again soon.

Our structural engineering team arrived back safely after spending several days reviewing the damage at our Camatin Facility, as well as working on rainwater collection at Coq Chante. We are excited that the damage to Camatin is primarily cosmetic, however there is one area in the back of the building where the partially collapsed cistern structure is still leaning against the building and there needs to be some remediation and shoring installed so we can start the process of removing the cistern. Once that is complete we can begin utilizing the Camatin facility to house the girls from Coq Chante, for storage and distribution of supplies, and for bringing medical and work teams in to serve in the hard hit areas. We hope this can be accomplished in the next 2 weeks so we can start putting the building to good use.

The 6 adopted children are home and adjusting well to their new homes and families. Life has been chaotic for them the last few days with the major transition and lots of press coverage, interviews, and meetings; but things are now beginning to settle down (a little) for them. I’ve seen most of them several times in the past few days and they are doing great. Their parents have done a great job getting them together and letting them talk on the phone to each other. They love the snow flurries they’ve seen for the first time, but are not a big fan of the freezing temperatures in Knoxville right now.

Future Teams are something we are looking at and we are so appreciative of the many people who have contacted us in recent days about going to serve. Our teams going down in the near future will be very specific task/gift oriented teams. Due to the safety issues, logistical challenges, and extremely chaotic working conditions, we have to be fairly selective about who will be going down on teams to serve. If you are one of the many people who have offered to serve, we say thank you for your willingness, and ask that you keep that passion for the long-term because we will need many teams going down for months & years to come. But for the immediate future we will not be able to take lots of teams down like we have in previous years. Pre-Quake Haiti and Post-Quake Haiti are two entirely different worlds. Thanks for your understanding of this, and look for more info in the future once we get to a place that we can take lots of teams down and serve effectively.

We are working diligently on the fronts of 1) fund-raising and 2) networking with the large relief organizations (Red Cross, UN World Food Program, World Vision, etc.) We have had lots of meetings, phone calls, emails, etc. and there are lots of ‘irons in the fire’ but haven’t had any significant commitments yet. Of our 7 facilities that completely collapsed, 2 of them were in the city, but the rest are in very rural areas where the relief efforts are not reaching yet. We believe partnering with larger organizations will allow us to help the people in these rural communities, but we need your prayers for God to open doors and lead us to the right people who can help us to minister to these hurting communities.

Many have been emailing us inquiring about adoptions and the humanitarian parole process to bring Haitian children to the United States. We are staying in touch with US Immigration officials, the State Department, and adoption advocates in Washington DC, and there is still much unknown, but what we do know at this point, is that it will not be an easy process. There are still hundreds of children that were in the final stages of adoptions that have not been able to come to the states yet. The state dept has said that once they complete all the adoptions that were already in the pipeline, they will then begin reviewing the humanitarian parole applications. The process has slowed down significantly in recent days due to the concern that lack of investigation could allow some children to be placed in unsuitable homes or even worse, trafficked and sold into sweat shops, child porn, organ harvesting, etc. Our prayers are that the Haitian government, US government, and the international community will find common ground to work together to expedite this paperwork so orphans and abandoned children can come to the states to strong families that will love and care for them. We will keep you posted if we find out new information on the adoption/humanitarian parole process.

For those of you who have given financially, with prayers, or offers to help we sincerely thank you.

Keep praying,

Brian

For more information about what we do you can visitwww.harvestfieldhaiti.org. You can also follow Harvest Field Ministries on Facebook and Twitter.

Bondye bon tout tan!

(God is good all the time!)

Update: Chadasha Foundation #11

second update from Kris Meyer (his wife Mindy is serving with the team in Port au Prince)

Just got off the phone with Mindy again this evening. Many of the cell phone providers are allowing free calls to/from Haiti until the end of the month so comminiction has gotten easier. Today they traveled to remote villages away from the clinic. They saw mostly minor medical issues many related to dehydration. She did mention one man inparticular had a tennisball sized tumor on his head that they removed. She said the hardest thing is that numming medicines are is short supply and many people are having to suffer through thier surgery. Mindy also mentioned that the environment seems to becoming more violent as people are realizing they have lost everything.

She asked that we continue to pray for safety as they travel back to orphanges tomorrow and then head to Santa Domingo to prepare for the trip home.
I can't wait to see my wife again!
Kris

Update: Equitas Group #2 (pictures)

Here is a photo update from Lance's time in Port au Prince as he was helping to serve Restavek Foundation.

Assessing needs of a program that works with 125 children who even before the earthquake were too poor to send kids to school or feed them well. We left food for 400 meals. They had no

food before then. There also 25 other kids whose parents are unknown that r living in streets and will show up in Sat for a meal.

Staff that are working this NGO are living in the tents as well.

Ray Conn and Jean R. Cadet are delivering food to immaculate conception.

Lance, Ray and Jean R. Cadet are at the immaculate conception compound.. This is Ray explaining the effects of the earthquake on the structure. So far everything looks pretty good and solid

Delivering food to Sister Martha, an 86 year old, Belgium nun who as been serving vulnerable Haitian children for over 30 years!

After strategizing for dispursement into the community for relief efforts. Jean R. Cadet spends time encouraging the staff toward continual dedication & sacrifice during this time of crisis, which the staff has already proven themselves to be doing. This staff is simultaneously trying to be who they need to be for their families, sleeping outside, and bringing relief to their communities as child advocates.

The program which we just left (tent city), this little girl is a part of that program. There is no food we just enough for 400 meals. There are 125 kids in program whose parents cannot afford to feed or send them to school.

25 other kids that are living on the streets now that know to show up on Sat for a meal.

They had no food until we got there.

-Lance

Update: Chadasha Foundation #10

this is from Kris Meyer (his wife Mindy is on the team in Port au Prince this week)

Hey everyone,
I got the first phone call from Mindy tonight and she said everything is going well. I will try my best to summarize our conversation but I'm sure I won't do it justice.

The team of 25 or so are staying in a small home just outside the city and they do have one (cold) shower to share! They have some of the local haitian women that cook them breakfast and dinner each day. Typically they just snack on what they brought from home for lunch. She said the days are hot and the bugs are bad, however you don't really notice it because they stay so busy.

The first day was spent setting up the clinic and going to orphanages. Mindy said there are so many kids in need of attention both medically and nutritionally. She mention two girls had to be brought down to the clinic from treatment and how after only 2 days what a difference a little medicine and food can make! Today Mindy stayed the clinic and help with the medication distribution. She said some of the drugs are in English and others in Spanish so it was not an easy task getting everything right! Tomorrow they are planning on heading back out to different orphanages surrounding the city. She made a comment about how scared the kids still are with everything going on.

As of now Mindy is planning on coming home on Sunday. She asked that everyone continue to pray for these people who have lost everything! Pray for the medical team's strength and knowledge as they really don't know what they will see each day. She wanted to thank everyone for their prays and support so far and can't wait to share all of her amazing stories.

Kris

Update: Chadasha Foundation #9

update from Phil Guthe (his wife Terrye is on the first medical team establishing our clinic in Port au Prince)

Terrye borrowed a cell phone (probably from the blue network) and called home this evening (Tuesday 1/26/2010). This was day one in Port au Prince (PAP). They set the clinic up yesterday afternoon and worked with patients today. They are being housed in an actual home; about 20 people altogether. The few women shared beds and rooms while the men slept on mattresses on the living room floor or out on the deck. It is a car caravan commute in unison to the church where the clinic is set up. I asked Terrye if she feared for her safety and she said no. Needless to point out, she commented on the structural devastation she’s witnessed although the church and the house remained in tact from the damaging earthquake and aftershocks. Even more touching to her, obviously, were the people milling about looking helpless and homeless. I don’t know if they advertised the clinic’s opening but I asked her about specifics of what she did today. I could tell she was exhausted with her day’s work (a spouse knows these things by voice) and she was guarded in her speech. “Well, we had to amputate a toe and another came in with a really serious wound that needed attention.” I thought maybe it was a slow day since they just opened their doors so I asked how many people she thought came through the doors. She said, “Oh, probably 200.” Oh my gosh! So I asked her other than the two specific cases she mentioned, what did she do? “I just loved on these people, hugged a lot and told them I loved them. The boy now missing a toe smiled the entire time I was with him.” I asked her if she had food & water, “Yes, I have the bags of beef jerky I brought.” I pressed her on this and learned she’s had meals and a feast was being prepared for supper as we spoke. She was so tired she couldn’t really understand my question regarding her sustenance. The jerky is still unopened as it has not been needed.

I couldn’t gather if she has showered but she claimed to be dirty. Terrye’s idea of roughing it is staying in a Holiday Inn instead of a Marriott so this is a real challenge for her. I asked if she used the mosquito netting. She built a tent over the bed where she and her bed buddy slept. She claimed her arms are now covered in bites but she never saw what got her. I call them no see ums. She was told upon her return to the USA to de-lice and take a round of antibiotics to ward off whatever she may have picked up while there. She has told those she’s with that she’s good to stay for as long as she’s needed, beyond a month if necessary. I asked her if she thought she was being a help or just in the way. Her answer came with a hint of emotion, “Oh yes, I’m needed. I’m doing whatever I’m asked to do. Jimani is a full bore MASH unit. While I was there en route to PAP, two huge helicopters picked up loads of patients and transported them to what I guess would be a hospital ship. I was a bit overwhelmed at the extent of surgical procedures being performed in Jimani and feel I’m in a place in PAP much better suited for me. We almost lost one little boy today but I think he’s going to be fine now.” Her comments to me are a bit understated, don’t you think?

Phil Guthe

Update: Equitas Group

From Lance (currently in Port au Prince)

I've been with Ray Conn and Jean Robert since last night. We are distributing food today, Ray is assessing building structures at schools they work with to see if usable (immaculate conception is). 85 yrs old nun, sister Martha, is going strong and won't leave even though others are trying to get her to. When we came she was encouraging her monitors who go into the homes where restaveks live and try to change their situation for te better. 35 of them are homeless, not sure about meals, lost lots of friends and family but are going out to these homes and distributing food. When we pulled in with beans and rice they had just run out the day before.

Most devastating news was an orphanage that collapsed killing the girls in it. Jean Robert and I climbed the rubble and unexpectedly came upon workers removing two of the girls. They had removed five already. Horrible. Many of these girls had escaped a life of domestic servitude as a restavek.

Good news, you remember the restavek girl on the CNN piece they followed around with Jean Robert? The producer couldn't get her off her mind and is adopting her. She is staying at the house we are at along with two other girls in process of adoption.

Gotta go, maybe can tell more later.

Lance Robinson

President/Founder

Equitas Group

They've Landed

Hey, just wanted to let you know that Brian, Kevin, and the kids have landed in Ft. Lauderdale and are going through immigration. They are saying they will land at TacAir at 4:45 this afternoon. I think it will be later, but that's what we're hearing.

Update: Chadasha Foundation #8

Dear Family and Friends,

First of all, I deeply appreciate all the love, prayers and support
you are sending my way. I feel very honored to receive such grace.


So today from chaos, some order. We got up with roosters making noise
just before sun-up. Mike Cobb and I were in the OR by 7:30 AM and
worked together until about 6PM. We made up for yesterday’s
frustration thanks to my new hero, Dr. Ben an ortho/hand surgeon from
Boston (last names hard to come by here). Looks like Harry Connick,
Jr. so Ben Hollywood could do. He arrived yesterday, and was stymied
by the lack of an OR for him to use. Within hours he happily accepted
his new calling in life to run the OR schedule for 5 operating rooms,
11 orthpaedists, 2 plastic surgeons and an unknown number of pending
patients. Without picking up a scalpel he did more than enough to
credit him with the gold star of the day. We sent our #1 OR ortho
nurse, Danya from Omaha/Creighton , to the orphanage/hospital to line
up surgeries since she understood our capabilities. Patients have to
be moved by ambulance the 200 yards from orphanage to hospital. Lots
of bumps, dust and heat. Lots of lifting up and down, carrying
stretchers. No one complains. Ben said we did 58 surgeries (still
without Xray) with only one cranky surgeon from CA giving him a hard
time. So do we feel well accomplished? I just don’t know how to even
measure progress here.


As we worked along thru the day we heard various reports. Some are
checking in with CNN, some have family sending odd news reports asking
if we can confirm. Luke, I saw your note about US support. I hope
your “tree shaking” reaches the right person. So from “rumor” the
USS Comfort is either full or not doing anything. The U of Miami has
a field trauma unit at the airport in PAP, and may take some critical
patients from us, but the critical probably can’t handle the car/truck
ride. Clint/Dave Vanderpool/Luke are all pushing for help to get
patients moved out of here, we all wonder which agency is going to
step up to the plate.


We still saw patients today who had no significant care since their
injuries. I honestly don’t know how they are getting here. One was a
70 year old lady for whom Mike did external fixation for a femur
fracture, completely by feel, since no Xray. We are all amazed by the
strength they show. They have tolerated so much pain, and frankly we
sometimes just look at each other in the OR wondering HOW DID THIS
PERSON SURVIVE THE LAST 10 DAYS? The Haitians look after each other
quietly and with dignity in the most bare of surroundings. We had one
woman today whose right arm was cut off to get her out of the rubble.
Mike revised the amputation and has her lined up with plastic surgeons
from Gainesville for skin grafts on Sunday. She never stopped
smiling, never complained, yet I am sure she is in pain. And there
are far more just like her.


I have so many stories, I may not be able to keep them straight. Some
are just too terrible to put to writing. This is a small part of one,
with a lot omitted that goes into the too terrible category. Our
OB-GYN professor from Lincoln Memorial Medical School in TN saved a
young woman’s life early today. Dr. John Williamson has been coming
to Jimani with Clint for years. A nurse came looking for him late
last night. The patient was about 20 weeks pregnant when she was
crushed in the quake. The baby died and she appeared here out of
nowhere with high fever. I really don’t want to go into the medical
issues, but when John told her husband emergency surgery was needed
at 2AM, he agreed without question. When John said, “Do you
understand how serious this is?”, he replied “Because you are doing it
now at 2AM I know it is very serious and you are doing the right thing
because no one in my country would ever have an operation at this
time”. Clint was there for the whole surgery, and I know he will have
much more to say about it.


There was a very minor tremor here about dark, none of us felt it but
the patients and their families lying on mattresses on concrete floors
did and ran out of the orphanage into the parking lot area. I did not
see this, but 2 patients with IV’s jumped from the second floor. 3
docs went to check them out. Danya was just getting things in order
again, putting people back to bed, when we felt another, bigger jolt.
This is the first thing I have noticed so I am now in our bus typing
away for awhile. I’ll go check on my post-op patients in a little
bit.


When we occasionally stop and look beyond the Jimani Project at the
surrounding views, this is a beautiful spot. There is a large lake
with vistas to green cliffs in the distance. Hawaii is the only place
I can compare this to. But, it is much hotter than Hawaii! Must
have been 100 degrees in the sun at midday and 90 in the OR. I
consumed well over a gallon of fluid today. I can’t imagine how this
adds to the stress on our patients, we keep pushing fluids and using
antibiotics far more easily than I ever would at Twin Rivers. Thank
God we have all of that we need.


The CRNA’s (nurse anesthetists) working with me have kept my patients
magnificently pain free with little of our usual 21st century devices.
We can’t even monitor oxygen levels appropriately. Bill Ragon who
came with us from Jackson, TN “trained in” 2 new arrivals from
Knoxville today during surgeries Mike and I were doing. There we are
in a OR with screens covering open windows, doing surgery, while Bill
quietly gave his replacements (I do believe it will take 2 to replace
him) his advice given our resources. By the way, I have not heard a
patient crying in pain in the recovery area immediately post-op. The
anesthesiologists and nurses running the recovery/post-op areas are
just incredible. We keep pushing them to discharge patients so we can
bring in more. They have 6-8 patients on cots in small, hot rooms
plus patients in the hallways, the laundry room, and every alcove
available. They have never said a sour word doing the toughest of
jobs.


Speaking of jobs, I really love what I do. My Dad said he enjoyed 20%
of what he did in dentistry, and that made up for the other 80%. I
have always felt fortunate to enjoy 80% of what I do, more than making
up for the other less enjoyable 20%. And come to think of it, at this
moment, I don’t know what the 20% I thought I didn’t enjoy is anymore!


The volunteers here are just amazing. Not just the docs and nurses,
but everyone. I just met Caleb Pal from Huntsville. Luke, he is the
man (I swear he looks 13 and has never shaved) Troy Moore got to come
down to hook up the satellite link. I decided his IQ is too high for
me to count to. He put a blow up bubble on the roof with the dish
inside and is working on a second. He brought a black box smaller
than a carry on suitcase that will be a cell tower giving a mile
radius for our phones to connect to it. We can then call US through
any cell provider one would have just as if in US. He says we are a
“cell service provider”. He’s working on how to call in to Jimani
right now, next to me here in my dorm room. I am sure he hasn’t had
any time to think about why he got into this. I think 99% of
volunteers are here because they felt called by God. This is one of
our usual discussion topics over power bars and bottled water. I met
a young surgeon yesterday on his arrival. He was so arrogant the
nurses told me they wouldn’t work with him. But today he was crying
along with the rest of us, his eyes the “Jimani red”. And he started
asking for advice in the OR, which I guarantee never happened before.
And he does great work! He did a “free flap” of skin from the abdomen
to a calf wound for one of my 11 year old patients to cover a huge,
painful open wound in record time. And within minutes had figured out
how to use orthopaedic hardware to fix a 7 year old’s jaw, that was
broken in 2 places. So I guess he just didn’t know where the phone
call that got him here originated from until today. We are all being
changed by our time here, but it was incredible to see this man become
so different so fast.


Several of us rode our bus into the town of Jimani tonight. The local
hospital looks more like a bus depot to me. 40 people milling around
outside, tiny windows, little light. Would not pass for anything
medical in the US except a warehouse. We just gawked, speechless. I
have truly led a sheltered and charmed life, and assure you all of my
pals here feel exactly the same.


So we now have enough orthpaedic surgeons here that I feel comfortable
leaving. I had always planned to return 1/23, but with the
reservation that I couldn’t if I was needed. Mike Cobb came planning
to stay for 2 weeks. We both feel comfortable about going since we
have more than enough colleagues to hand off to. The humanitarian
crisis may be more apparent on CNN, but so far we all agreed the many
(over 100, 58 the last 2 days I think) patients we put external
fixators on have to stay here. Where can we send them with pins and
bars on their legs? They can’t walk on these and many have both legs
injured and can’t even use crutches, which we actually do have. And
some need further surgery.


So far we’ve had by one count 500 patients here at one time. We just
have no next place to send them, so many will stay and limit the input
of more. Clint won’t turn anyone away, he has faith that his
pleadings will hit the right ears soon.


Everyone is heading back into the buildings now, but our bus driver,
Francisco, is keeping me under protective custody on the bus for a
while longer. I don’t think I can get off!


If you look at a map of Haiti and the Dominican Republic, Jimani can
be found due east of PAP, just inside the DR. I am told evacuees
can’t go south to Jacmel on the coast because the roads are impassable
and the same to the west. Most will head east? We all wonder,
another topic of usual discussion.


This is disjointed due to several interruptions to check patients in
recovery, plan a last minute surgery for someone else to do in AM, try
to convince Clint to go to bed (took 3 of us on that one), and calm a
young journalist shaken by the jolt we got. Francisco finally allowed
me off the bus and we’ll let her sleep there. I actually have a bed
tonight for the first time! With a nurse anesthetist waiting to take
over in the morning when I leave.


So tomorrow I get back on Chuck Strickland’s jet for our trip back to
Knoxville. I have hugely mixed feelings about leaving but I know this
was only Phase 1, I can’t imagine not coming back some day, especially
since Clint has learned I know how to get here.


Again, thanks for your thoughts and prayers,


Love,

Dad/Ed

Update: Haitian Adoptions

Dr. Douglas,

I will remain in contact with you regarding the coordination of food and supplies distribution times. I apologize that there is a delay in getting that food to you.

Regarding the adoptions, I am in regular contact with the Department of State. At this time we have been informed that the priority is going to be given to orphans who have already been matched with U.S. families. They are looking into creating a policy to assist those children who have not been matched but have been determined by the Haitian government as adoptable.

I am keeping a list of individuals who are interested in adopting from Haiti. Once the policy has been announced, I will make sure that the individuals are notified of the procedures to adopt and assist them in doing so.

Please let me know how we may be of further assistance. I will remain in contact you regarding the food need.

Have a good day!

Rhonda

FYI this is similiar to what we've been told. There are currently approx 2000 adoptions that paperwork and dossiers had already been submitted and we were told that new adoptions or emerg humanitarian parole evacuations will not be started until all the current adoptions are completed.

The guys with jcic were amazing yesterday for us at the embassy. They are an advocate group from DC helping facilitate these adoptions. We would not be taking these 6 children home now if it weren't for their assistance.

The us embassy was a mess. Dozens of Haitian children waiting to be adopted sitting everywhere. Some babies. The whole place reeked of urine.

They had one window open to help people. State dept needs more help there if they are going to help people get their children out quicker.

Keep praying,

Brian

Yes, this is true. Thank you for the forward. Information changes often so I will keep you updated. As soon as we hear that adoptions are being processed for children not currently matched with families, we will begin work immediately to assist. The people with jcics were wonderful yesterday, I remain in touch with them as well to try and assist as quickly as possible. Thank you very much! Rhonda

Update: They're coming home!

Wanted to share this photo taken this morning. The kids are coming to Knoxville to be adopted.

Thanks BE TO God!!!!

Misery beyond misery, but also joy beyond joy!

Update: Chadasha Foundation #7

We are headed into Haiti again today to set up a few medical clinics and
feeding programs working through the local church. Very hands on stuff
so we can also get a base of operations set up in Haiti and will be able
to take volunteers. Please pray that we would make the right contacts
and we would be safe.

Nor

Update: Cure International #2

Where to begin? So many moving parts are finally starting to move together thanks to each of you, a ton of prayer and a very big, mighty God! Even as I type emails are pouring in with exciting updates… here are just a few stories from past 2 days.

- Many of you were aware of the large “aftershock” on Tuesday night. The movement was significant for all at HCH… the few patients and staff inside fled outdoors (where the majority of patients are anyway) and some semblance of chaos ensued. After a few hours, ORs and bandage stations and patients were re-positioned. Imagine constantly resetting up wards and ORs…

- Yesterday also marked the first land route supply truck CURE managed to send in from CURE DR. The arrival of another anesthesia machine, drinking water, sleeping bags and more surgical supplies was just in the nick of time… big thanks to all the CURE DR Hospital employees who pulled that off all while running a hospital with major staff shortages.

- Samuel Reyes, Spiritual Director with CURE DR, has been working hard to develop a team who will meet the pastoral needs of the Haitian people CURE is assisting at HCH (Hospital Comuntae). Samuel connected with a Haitian pastor/chaplain/Christian radio host, Seguerre Velleuve, in Santo Domingoearlier this week. They are arranging for a trip to PaP where they will convene a meeting of pastors, plan for immediate and long term spiritual and emotional needs, and assess what is the there to plan for this critical part of CURE’s ministry to the Haitian people.

- After much packing, unpacking, sorting, repacking, a large 737 full of urgently needed supplies, food and volunteers touched down at 7:30am in Port au Prince today (Thursday)AM.

Over a dozen volunteers flew in from around the USto prep the plane. Faithful members of

VillageChurchin Dallasarea organized transport, meals, and much more to make sure these brave souls were prepared to go into Haiti. After seeing whatVillageChurchand the volunteer doc/nurses did… I understand at least 1 TX restaurant comped the whole meal.

On the receiving end in Haiti, our amazing ground logistics guys Johnny, Jeff, Andrew, spent most of last night wheeling, dealing and renting vehicles. Resulted in a combination of buses and cargo trucks arriving. Pictures of the offload don’t do it justice and I have a feeling some of the volunteers road on top of boxes.

This team arrival, along with an earlier team this week, brings a HUGE boost in morale and needed supplies. We were literally out of food/water for our patients, staff and volunteers… not to mention the ongoing challenge to keep specific items.

HCH and HAH now have supplies, minus a few critical items which are in various staging areas in the US awaiting shipment, and can continue to operate, change bandages and heal suffering patients.

- some of the initial stories out of Haitifrom our docs are tragic. Last night a man with spinal cord injury was refused admittance to military/med evac hospital. Reason: they are overwhelmed with gun shot wounds, therefore he’s not critical. Sent him back to HCH. He is dying as I write.

- some of our patients are not familiar with gangrene and are afraid of life saving amputations. One woman showed up with a black arm and small baby (baby seemingly okay). After seeing the doctor and hearing that she needed an urgent amputation of her arm to save her life she refused. Staff begged her but she refused, stating that her husband would surely divorce her if she had no arm. She walked out and left.

- Our first patient, Bernandine, from Haitiended up in our facilityin DRtoday. She will be operated on tomorrow. See our blog (http://blog.helpcurenow.org) for more info… what that story doesn’t capture is that our team in DR is also 1) running its normal pediatric orthopedic services; 2) the hospital is having problems with electricity itself; and 3) we are short staffed with doctors still away/along the border.

But as with the theme here, a couple CURE friends “showed up” in the DR at the right time. Dr Shawn Standard and an American Nurse are joining Dr Ted Beemer, Medical Director, and together they are strategizing how to deal with running a hospital with a dual focus.

Update: Harvest Field Ministries #11

Brian's final update before coming home to rest for a few days... Thank you God for your provision and your protection.


Wow the last few days have been really chaotic. Sorry for lack of updates. Tuesday was spent preparing for our team to arrive and procuring more clean water and food, some for the Coq Chante orphans and some of which we took to distribute in the hard hit community of Belloc. Our first team arrived Wednesday and we spent the day recieving them and our team of docs started right away treating the injured.We spent the day yesterday in Leogane working with some great docs from Iowa and Minnesota. We partnered with them and the teams provided amputations, took care of lots of broken bones, dislocated pelvis, major lacerations, etc.

The damage in Leogane is indescribable. I don't know if loss of life was as bad as PaP, but destruction is the worst of any places I've been - PaP, Carrefour, Jacmel, etc. I'd estimate 90% of the buildings are destroyed. It was devastating.

Today I'm leaving and I'm so torn. My heart is here and wants to help but in many ways I feel so inadequate to try and meet the needs. I feel as if I'm trying to put a band-aid on a severed limb. The only thing that makes me feel a peace about leaving is I have the honor and privilege of escorting 6 Haitian children to their parents who are anxiously waiting in Ft. Lauderdale. These 6 children have been in the process of being adopted. Due to the disaster the State Department has sped up the paperwork and is allowing these beautiful kids to come to loving families in Tennessee. None of these 6 angels will ever have to be hungry, they'll never have to cry because their bellies ache from emptiness, they'll never have to carry a 5 gallon bucket of water on their head for 2 miles if they want a drink of water, and they'll never have to see dead bodies that lay piled in heaps on the sidewalk for days.

Attached is a photo of these kids that have a new life afforded them. I pray as I go back to the states, that we'll find generous people who desire to continue helping, long term, the children of Haiti. We can't bring them all the states, but we can help participate in rebuilding a better Haiti, a safer Haiti, a Haiti where every child can get an education, a Haiti where children dying day of starvation and malnutrition isn't common place, a Haiti where a child can get access to a doctor when they're sick, a Haiti where God is exalted in their communities. That's the Haiti I dream for.

Keep praying
Brian