Haiti Medical Mission 2014

All the months of fundraising, all the nights of worry about whether we would meet our financial goal to be able to do this trip, all our struggles with putting, and keeping a team together, and all the prayers we received from family and friends. These were all a part of our arrival to Carrefour, Haiti. And the beginning of our medical mission.

Tiffany, Lilias, and Sharon landed in Port Au Prince airport, and after collecting the luggage, met up with the rest of the team. We knew Mickey and Liz (now a part of Children's Health Ministeries), as well as Homayon from International Medical Aid. But we had the pleasure of meeting two more members of that team, Bridget and Roger. And after a wonderful supper at Mickey and Liz's house, we headed back to our "home away from home" and started getting prepared for our upcoming days of clinics.

We had brought many different medicines with us, creams and lotions that they sometimes have trouble getting in Haiti, as well as some donations from our home hospital. We divided things into different bags, as we knew we needed to have medicine for our clinics on Monday and Tuesday.

We had the chance to look around our home, and get our air mattresses inflated. With some juggling, all was tidy and ready for the next morning. Since morning was going to come early, we turned in and tried to rest, and thought about what the days of clinic would bring. Knowing that we were working in two different locations, with a larger team that the last time, and with the Chic virus (from the mosquito) we knew we would be tested with our abilities. But we also knew that a Higher Power always has the game plan in mind, and we would just have to trust in Him to show us the way.

We invite you to now follow our days in Haiti. There were highs, and there were lows. There were smiles, and there were tears. But through it all, we came to understand ourselves a little bit better. We came together as a team, and left as friends. And we were grateful for the opportunity to serve those in need, renew old friendships, and to make a lasting impact on our own hearts. And by viewing these photos, we hope that you will feel more like you were there, and a part of the team. Because without everyone who donated, we never would have been able to make this trip.

We traveled in this enclosed truck everywhere we went. It made sense, considering the size of our team, and the amount of equipment we had. We would drop off the translators on the way home from the clinics each day. And we were always safe inside.	Nothing like airing up the mattress, spreading out your clothes in the bags, and getting ready for sleep. Tiffany and Lilias took battery operated fans (which was a great idea) and than even took one fan to clinic to help keep the equipment cool.
The house came with a rooftop, and this is the view. The mountains were amazing, and the clouds were perfect.	The kitchen. There was a stove, but alas no cooking utensils. There was a sink, but it leaked. And no light bulb in the fixture! But it did provide a place to keep our big water bottle and to fill our smaller ones daily.
The holding tank, located on the top of the roof. Water would collect and was stored, to be used during the week. This water was not drinkable, but was used to shower. Every team member was able to shower on a daily basis. And we had plenty of safe water to drink.	One of two showers in the house. The second one was smaller, but having access to two did make it easier for the team. The ceramic tiles were slick (note to self: remember the beach shoes next time.) Now, Tiffany, how about that 5 AM shower?
For all of our family that was worried about safety, we were in a house that had these metal coverings over the windows, and a metal door that was locked where we entered the house. So we were safe. There was that time when Tiffany looked up to see a child looking in the window, but it was all good.	The children in the streets, just outside our house. Makes you appreciate having running water and electricity, when many of the homes don't. The electricity was hit and miss, often we were dressing in the dark. And than there was the rooster that Lilias fell in love with. And before we left the house, Mom Sharon sprayed us all down with mosquito repellent. We were as safe as we could be!