Dear Friends,
Departure time for Haiti grows near and excitement is building.
The mission group has really kicked preparations into high gear these last several weeks. Through the financial contributions (thank you, you know who you are!) as well as some personal resources I have been able to order, organize, secure, and pack up a host of much-needed pharmaceuticals for our little traveling clinic. Antibiotics, dewormers, skin creams, injectables, antihypertensives, female products, multivitamins, analgesics, steroids...etc....Having learned the Hatians' medical needs from my last trip over, I have been able to tailor my inventory to better treat them. In addition, we come prepared with donated surgical instruments, wraps, bandages of all sizes, water purifying equipment...and plenty of hand sanitizer. The volumes of these items have turned out to be a bit more than I had originally anticipated; fortunately, we are a team of eight this year.
There have been some last-minute personnel changes. The nurses originally expressing interest in the trip had to cancel, so jumping in as my primary assistant in their stead will be one of our own emergency department clinical techs. Clint will serve as medical assistant: part nurse, part pharmacist, part clinic supervisor...and part security. A big, self-assured guy with experience in the Red Cross and FEMA, he brings an added level of OPSEC to our group. Not that I am overly concerned about our safety during our time in-coutry, given the relative stability (for Haiti) lately, but it's nice to have a guy along like that who can watch your six. Third world traveling is never risk-free, and safe return to CONUS in one piece is never assured, regardelss of preps.
Our other fellow do-gooders will be a group from a local church- Pastor Henry and his wife Janet, and parishoners Crystal, Kim, Scott and Diane. All are seasoned Haiti volunteers, having been to "Pastor Joe's" orphanage before. Each brings his/her own area of expertise, which will be used to improve the lot of the orphanage and local townspeople- electricity enhanced, vehicles upgraded, health improved...and spirits lifted.
Once I get past my last regular shift in the emergency room this weekend, I will gather up the last of needed supplies, make a Wally World run, reorganize my survival pack, and load-to-go. After that it will be some much-needed quality time with my family before the Haiti gang rendezvous at first light Monday for the bus ride to the airport.
My intention over the next 10 days or so is to "blog on the fly," uploading journal entries and pictures as we travel. Pastor Joe has graciously agreed to let me use his laptop once we arrive, so I am hoping to post updates nightly, or as interesting occurrances present themselves. Of course, if I happen to be deeply involved in a soccer match or Creole sing-a-long with the children one evening, please bear with me....
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