Archive for the 'Haiti' Category
Homecoming
Saturday, February 13th, 2010All team members are home with their families. Jeff got home about 10 pm last night. Lots of hugs and kisses. This trip will be a talking point for some time and many of the team are already talking about the desire to return.
Anyone who has traveled to any degree outside the US is familiar with reverse culture shock. This can often be as difficult at the initial shock of the travel that took place this past week as we tell ourselves that “this is our normal and it should not be as difficult to get back into the flow.” Our hearts are now torn in two places.
For now decompression and prayer.
On the home stretch
Saturday, February 13th, 2010Team Sabre is en route to Lambert and will be on the ground shortly after 4 pm. Team Jeff (again our thanks for his willingness to take the long way home) will be in this evening by 8 pm.
Once the team gets settled we will discuss how to properly bring this trip to a close on the blog.
For now enjoy the pictures.
Awaiting our flight to St. Louis
Friday, February 12th, 2010The team had a refreshing night and are looking forward to seeing all of our friends and family. Some of us did not spend much time in bed so we could enjoy the beauty of the Bahamas with a night walk on the beach or a morning stroll on the beach watching the sunrise.
A large set of photos has been just uploaded for your viewing on the picasa web site. http://picasaweb.google.com/NCFHaiti
A Blog Entry From Someone Other Than Mark!!!
Friday, February 12th, 2010Before I type anything else, I need to say one huge thank you to Mark. What an incredible job you’ve done with the blog! It was so fun to arrive in the Bahamas and have internet access for the first time and be able to scroll through the blog and read all about the activities of our group over the past week!!
I am sitting here in Nassau at the hotel sort of in disbelief of all that has happened over the past week… (more…)
Team 3 is Offically on the Ground
Friday, February 12th, 2010Team 3 has arrived (10:40 in Nassau), has the hotel information, and are finding a cab. Today definitely was more like an Amazing Race episode. Team 2 arrived first with team 1 not far behind and a mad dash accross the finish line. On tomorrow’s episode one team member gets left behind and has to find his own way home… (more…)
Sabreliner refuses to quit…
Friday, February 12th, 2010The Sabreliner team has secured a copilot for a flight tomorrow. The disappointment of the morning was replaced immediately with a resolve to find a way and they went right to work. It took quite a few phone calls and several additional hours to get all the paperwork completed again. Tom, who will not be able to make the flight tomorrow, stuck around with Dave to make sure everything was in order. They are men committed to the return of this team and the fulfillment of the commitment. (more…)
Missed our flight…
Friday, February 12th, 2010As a result of many moving parts we reached outside the window for the pilots to fly today. The measure of a man is not when things are going right but when they are going awry… (more…)
Team Sabre Flys Again…
Wednesday, February 10th, 2010Missouri based Sabreliner (http://www.sabreliner.com/index.php) called late yesterday to volunteer their services to get our team home! Sabreliner does not believe in leaving any job undone. Apparently several of their associates have been following the blog and had asked about our return plans. We are very excited to accept this generous gift that will expedite the return of our team after a very long week. (more…)
He is my hope…
Wednesday, February 10th, 2010The day in Haiti at the Immaculate Conception Hospital took a very interesting turn for the team.
It is expected that the care needed in Haiti right now is critical care, emergency room type services. In fact the population in Les Cayes has grown from 47k to nearly double that in a few weeks time. Many of the patients at the hospital have come from PAP and are past the critical stages. The transition to maintenance and primary care is beginning. While there are still tales of difficult things to see the situation is normalizing. This is a team of primary physicians and so they could sit back and appreciate the long term needs and the assessment of the local physicians. (more…)
Augh, still no internet access..
Tuesday, February 9th, 2010The team is still anxiously awaiting sharing the photos and stories from on the ground but alas another day has passed without a working router. :- (
Today at the hospital it was a great deal more wound care but the staff was up to a full compliment. This was a pleasant surprise for the group to see more hands on deck. It was more like rounds as “usual.” (more…)
A day of appreciation
Monday, February 8th, 2010It sounds as though most everyone had an opportunity to talk to their loved ones today.
Highlights:
Team recollected traveling through PAP as very eerie. It was late at night and there were many people sleeping along the streets.
They are using the buddy system to ensure that everyone stays safe and supported.
Gretchen delivered 3 babies yesterday with the assistance of Kristen and Melissa and another today. (more…)
A Few Hours of Rest. The calm before the storm…
Sunday, February 7th, 20106:30 am Church and then a team meeting with Louis (Dony’s brother).
Those who have been on a medical mission have pointed out that this down time while brief, is critical. The week will bring many new challenges never faced by the team. They will need to think on their feet and be able to solve problem without the normal resources. This morning they will refocus and take a deep breath before diving back in with a great deal of passion.
9:00 am Breaking News: they are back at the guesthouse and are preparing to go to the hospital. (more…)
Lost in translation…
Sunday, February 7th, 2010It was only officially a 4 hour day but they are all exhausted. The language barrier is making it difficult. They are not sure who is “in charge” at the hospital.
Mid-afternoon the team was dropped off at the pediatric ward. With three doctors on the team who see younger patients this made sense. It was very different from what they are used to… (more…)
Another Long Day Begins
Saturday, February 6th, 20109 am in Les Cayes:
The team got in at 5:30 am (4:30 STL) and unloaded. After quick rest their day is beginning.
An ESMI guesthouse room features 6 bunks, shower, toilet, and a safe comfortable place to sleep (when they get to).
They are axnious to meet the team of 5 that has been there for the week and learn as much as they can, as quickly as they can from them. This team is scheduled to leave Sunday.
A departure for the hospital is scheduled for 11 am. 11 am does not sound too early unless you just spent 14 hours on a bumpy, dark, bus. The 26 hour day for the Fort Lauderdale team will no doubt take some time to recuperate from.
This is not the 6 hour tour Mark sold us on
Saturday, February 6th, 2010It is 12:30 am and they are still traveling. They expect another 3 hours of travel on really rough roads.
The three coming from Fort Lauderdale started their day at 3 am so they are even more exausted.
Sounds like day one in Haiti will be a wash as they try to recover from a long very trip in.
Officially in Haiti
Saturday, February 6th, 2010It is just after 10 pm STL time and they have been traveling for 9 hours but they are officially in Haiti! The team is very excited as they are now able to make free calls from the primary phone and can start to contact loved ones directly.
They split from the other groups at the border and are now on their way to Les Cayes as a team. They are being accompanied by a new friend Will.
They did request that we find a way to get them home that does not involve this amount of travel. : - )
In the Zone
Saturday, February 6th, 2010The team is at the border. Report is that there are tons of people around and it is quite a busy place.
More after they cross.
Dark Bumpy Roads
Saturday, February 6th, 2010It has been just over 5 hours of travel. Could not wait any longer so made the call…
The team is still in good spirits but has no idea how much longer till the border, they have been told anywhere from 1 to 3 hours still. They have headlamp flashlights going. Some are taking the opportunity to journal, while others are just enjoying the conversation.
They will call once accross the border. They say hello to everyone.
On the Road
Saturday, February 6th, 2010The team left about 20 minutes ago from the airport. They are on a large (ahem, [said under my breath] air conditioned bus) with a trailer in tow. Music in the backround and lots of excited conversation, brings back memories of a high school trip…
Tim took pictures that they will share once they get settled if they can get internet service.
The team in Saint Louis is still working on options for their return next week. Fortunately there are many ways to solve the puzzle leaving many options and phonecalls to be made.
The next few hours will be very long as we wait to get news from them again.
Don’t miss the pictures
Friday, February 5th, 2010MODERATOR NOTE:
To view all the pictures you need to follow the links in the blog postings. Tim is putting them on his picasaweb account so follow those links below the messages. This last one is not in the same inbox as the others but you can still access them with the link.
If you wish to see yesterday’s postings you can select “<< Previous Entries" at the bottom left corner of the page (scroll down) and it will bring up the previous days posts.
Willing to serve where needed
Friday, February 5th, 2010Dr. Tim Rice and team from St. Louis will head to Les Cayes in the south and will be at the guesthouse at the ESMI guesthouse. You will work at the hospital there. There’s a team of 5 now there that will leave on Sunday night.
DR and “Finding Nemo” during our morning debriefing
Friday, February 5th, 2010Team comments from morning debriefing, “Like in the movie Finding Nemo, we are just going with the flow.” The flow of God to help those in need and the flow of God to be our provider and protector as we give ourselves to help the needy. (more…)
Text from the team
Friday, February 5th, 2010“hooked up w Kristin’s group & Dr. Canty. Will find Dony.”
MODERATORS NOTE: Dr. Canty is with a group of 6 that came in at 6 am. The team will wait for a group of 14 that is scheduled to arrive on AA at 1:15 pm. Local time is 2 hours ahead of Saint Louis time so it is now 11:24.
Dony has found a bus that can take all 29 directly into Haiti. They will leave this afternoon and travel into the night. This is the first “scary” part of the trip as they will need to make a border crossing at night. We may not hear from them till morning once they are on the move.
Visa it’s everywhere you “want” to be…
Friday, February 5th, 2010Surprise #2 Visa is not accepted at the local hotel establishment in the DR. Fortunately they still like our green money and were happy to accept it. Not sure how good this team would be at washing dishes. The team packed extra cash for the bus tickets. Project “get me some more cash” is complete. While they don’t believe in Visa they are strong supporters of ATM’s. Kinda curious what the “out of network” fees will be on this one.
The team is headed to the Airport (bags and boxes in tow) are are scheduled to meet with their host Dony and team 2.
Team II has checked
Friday, February 5th, 2010Got a text from team II… Jeff, Kristin and Melissa have all checked in with Spirit Air and are on their way to the DR.
Mark
News of the Day
Friday, February 5th, 2010Many folks are watching closely for updates.
Sabreliner Team En Route Still
Friday, February 5th, 2010Keeping track of all of the team members, Dave and Tom are back in the US and en route to Saint Louis. Once on the ground they will still have a drive home.
Pray for their safe return to their families.
They have really put in a full days work!
Team in Florida wonders if there is a game going on or something…
Friday, February 5th, 2010Kristin and Melissa are in Ft. Lauderdale and have found a hotel that has shuttle service to the airport!
They will meet up with Jeff early in the AM.
All members will be tucked in safely for the night within the hour.
Phase one complete and working much better than planned.
Mark
Accomodations arranged for the night
Friday, February 5th, 2010With the help of 3 way calling and translation from Julie Murphy we have hotel accomodations.
ttp://bocachicabeach.net/los_pinos/los_pinos.html
Don’t know if we will have internet connection but we don’t have to check out until 1 PM tomorrow.
MODERATORS NOTE: Julie is in Saint Louis…
Word from ESMI
Friday, February 5th, 2010We made it!……. mostly
Friday, February 5th, 2010We are at least on the island of Hispanola. We landed in the Dominican Republic and were greeted by a suspicious and somewhat confused looking Dominican security guard. Our flight was spectacular. The two pilots from Sabreliner were very gracious and helpful not just with making all the effort to get us this far but assuring much more comfort than was necessary. We were able to bring all of that which we decided were our critical supplies. Cargo area had been a concern. Once we got here it is probably a blessing since the six of us here currently are able to handle the load fairly well. We are awaiting a call back from Dony St. Germain about our arrival and will expect the other three of our team tomorrow morning at 9 am. (more…)
Press Release On Today’s Activities
Friday, February 5th, 2010Thank you to Lt. Gov. Kinder for answering our call and the Great Team at Sabreliner! Sabreliner is a Missouri based company and we are proud to have had the opportunity to work with them.
They went above and beyond to help us deliver the team with more supplies than a commercial route could allow. They will be ready to get to work with the right equipment in hand.
Mark
We are here
Friday, February 5th, 2010Just heard from team Sabre: They have landed, unloaded, and are in passenger vans headed to the terminal to clear through customs.
Surprise #1 $10 per person for a visa… we missed the memo on that (bet it was on page 235 of the Haiti user manual).
I get the feeling that spending cash may dwindle fast.
Mark
On the ground and in the Air
Friday, February 5th, 2010Team “Sabre” (sposored by Sabreliner) is on the ground in DR. I am expecting a call once they get unloaded.
Team “Man I wish I could of flown that way but no way would I want to spend a night at the airport” has officially left Saint Louis. They will overnight in FL with friends and catch a flight at 6 am into the DR.
I am trying to keep this light, as soon enough the full force of the trip and the gravity of it will come to bear. You might say I am laughing to keep from crying…
Mark
Track them online live for the next hour.
Friday, February 5th, 2010Thanks to Sabreliner for allowing a real time view of their flight!
Once we get the official press release from Sabreliner I will post it along with a team photo/s from the morning.
6:45 am departure set for Thursday 2/4/2010
Thursday, February 4th, 2010Notes from our trip organizer
Facts:
1. At this time we have not yet received a landing slot in PAP Airport in Haiti.
2. At the highest levels we have been unable to persuade the State Department to intervene in getting us a landing slot into PAP.
So now…
1. Dave has his whole family praying for this group! He will be at the airport around 6 am preparing for the journey and ready to receive us.
2. Tom has already filed all the alternate flight plans into the Dominican Republic.
3. We are still on the waiting list for private planes wanting to fly directly into PAP. These pilots are determined men of God willing to serve us. His mercy and grace endures.
4. We have accumulated what is likely $100,000 worth of supplies that we will be taking with us.Finish packing and we will regroup in the morning.
Waiting for final details…12 hours to departure
Thursday, February 4th, 2010We have seen so many details worked out over the past two weeks yet there continues to be a few details awaiting resolution so we can fly into Haiti. As reported in the news, there is a huge backlog of flights wanting to land in Port-au-Prince making it difficult to reach the needy around Port-au-Prince. At this time we do NOT have a time slot to land in Port-au-Prince so all the other options available are being explored.
Psalm 130:5 (The Message)
I pray to God—my life a prayer— and wait for what he’ll say and do. My life’s on the line before God, my Lord, waiting and watching till morning, waiting and watching till morning.
Haiti Team Packs Donated Supplies
Wednesday, February 3rd, 2010Since the team has announced their plans to go to Haiti there has been an generous outpouring of support and supplies for the team traveling to Haiti. The group is gathered around to celebrate the goodness of God as demonstrated through these wonderful donations for the need in Haiti.
The team’s first photo op and Kevin lends a hand way past his bedtime.
(more…)
NCF sends medical mission team to Haiti
Tuesday, February 2nd, 2010Whoever said the shortest distance between two points was a straight line, clearly was not interested in the value of taking the scenic trip of miracles God has in store for us when we put our lives and plans in His hands…the following is a chronical of the past several days. (more…)
Team plans Haiti Medical Relief trip
Monday, February 1st, 2010More information will be posted as the authors finishes their contribution. Part of the team is working on finding a way to get to Haiti. Part of the team is working on collecting the supplies. Part of the team is working on herding this group and keeping us organized.
How do I list the great miracles we have seen God perform to date? It is a miracle in fact that we have 4 doctors, 1 medical student, 1 nurse and 2 non-medical folks who have their shots and passports (two trips to Chicago passport office this week) waiting to go to Haiti. An 11yo gave up a trip to a Florida theme park so his mom (one of the doctors) could go to Haiti saying, “I wouldn’t enjoy my rides if I knew people were dying.”