Day 3

Today, we had breakfast at 7:00. The medical team left around 7:30 and took about a half hour to get to the church where we were running the clinic. There were about 150 patients. All of which mostly complained of everyday aches and pains (worms, infections, colds..). Kanyon pulled about 10 teeth today and also referred some to get their wisdom teeth out. They let their wisdom teeth grow in without knowing what they are, and end up with terrible pain. Susie saw so many infants and children today. There was one baby named Junior that had a high fever and scabies. The infection had become septic. Susie gave him shots of antibiotics and lots of water (he was dehydrated, too). He is coming back tomorrow to get treated further. Lots of eyeglasses and rehydration packs were given out. It was evident to these patients that God was working through us. Everyone made sure to pray with their patients after they saw them. It was such a blessing to be able to work with these people who live with the daily aches and pains that life brings. 

The construction team was split into 3 groups this morning. Group one painted the window grates in Jeff and Jean's soon to be new apartment. Group two cleaned up and also sanded the walls and the ceiling in the new hope orphanage, we ran into a slight problem when the ceiling started to crack. The layers of stucco didn't adhere correctly, causing cracking that now needs more work for the week. Group three built cabinets. They made pretty good progress. They should be sold by home depot, under the name JJJ. Johnny Thomas, John Benson, and John Stinson. And tomorrow, more of the same! 

And the highlight of the day was most definitely Maddy's birthday! We had cake for dessert and sang at breakfast and after dinner. For her party, Sally, Steve, Kanyon and Faison accompanied Maddy on the trampoline. We played popcorn and did flips. We also played with the orphan girls.

Day 2

Greg was kidding about sunrise at 4:30, it was closer to 5:30. Great news for now Hot Water in the orphanage, but Greg said he could fix that. Greg Benson runs CSI in Haiti for our new readers. Our whole group of 28 took two trucks into Citie Soliel to attend church at one of Leon Dorleans churches. Much to our pleasure Leon was the preacher today along with a woman from Kentucky, joint sermon.
  After church we chatted with Leon and his wife Jackie about joining us for dinner one night this week. They will try but Leon has the head of Haiti Outreach Ministries coming to town and a big team coming that will take up most of his time. I really hope he can make it. After church Fan Fan took us for a tour through the city. Very disturbing, not much had been done...the palace was a mess and there were tent cities everywhere.  We saw where Dr. Kanyon Keeney slept on top of the police headquarters after the earthquake.  Downtown was clean but there was still a lot of destruction; we saw the Catholic and Episcopal churches completely destroyed.  The newbies were slightly taken aback when Fan Fan drove us through the river to get home.  Fan Fan is a haitian native who works with CSI and built an elementary school here. We walked down and saw the ten houses that CSI had built for its workers, we saw Vilnor and Remy-the two Haitian workers we work with regularly and  will be for the rest of the week.   Greg gave us a tour of Hope 2, the new orphanage. The medical team will be mobile this week, they're going to Dumae tomorrow. Construction will be building kitchen cabinets, painting Jeff and Jean's apartment, cleaning, and sanding walls.  We are ready for a busy week.

Now from the eyes of our youth...We really enjoyed the lively spirit present in the church and the beautiful singing.  Their strong faith is so evident. We've loved interacting with the kids, as much as possible... They love to have their pictures taken.

 Sally on the trampoline with a few of the girls from the orphanage below us.

 Pastor Leon at Citie Soliel church.

Steve playing with some kids outside of the church

That's all for now. Orevwa.

P.S. - Dwayne, Greg didn't get doughnuts OR pecan pie...thanks for reminding him.

Day 1 Haiti Trip

The following team members arrived safely in Port-au-Prince today: 

Faison Cochrane

Susie Flowers

Sharon Franklin

Katherine Hetzer

Stuart Holt

Steve Holt

Maddy Keeney

Kanyon Keeney

Mitch Leon

Courtney Ludeman

Doug Ludeman

Sally Ludeman

Marci Meeks

Tom Meeks

Jay Patton

Steve Powelson

Cullen Rivers

Giles Robertson

Rubyjane Robertson

Jamie, Janet, Jessie Sauer

Georgia Seely

John Stinson

John Thomas

Dana White

Donna Zocco

Stephanie Zocco

It was an early morning, but we arrived to a great dinner and meeting.  The group is very enthusiastic to start working on Monday. We are attending church tomorrow at Cite de Solie with Pastor Leon Dorleans. Time to go to bed, up at 4:30, according to Greg.....which means 6 we hope. Until tomorrow, bon nuit.

From, Croix des Bouquets

Tom Meeks wondering where Marci is as we load the cages.

T Minus 12 Hours

This is what Jana & Jeff packed.

The Facts

• Bus leaves at 4 a.m. 1/29/11
• Everything has been officially weighed on an UPS scale and each bag is under 50 pounds (for now). 
• We have two items left with no place to put them.
• Can't decide whether to leave Doritos or the tile spacers for Greg
• Hope the Medical team's bags don't weigh as much as ours do

Special thanks to Ferdie Baruch for putting the trip together and to Jana Thomas for buying and packing everything. We will miss you two on this trip.

This is the first posting of many and hopefully next time someone more qualified will be filling it out.