This year’s trip to Congo was like visiting your favorite out of town relatives. It was great to see old friends in Congo. There never is enough time to catch up on all the events that transpired since last year. Yet is it was fun to introduce some new friends from America to the great folks in Congo.

It was encouraging to see how things had improved. I was pleasantly surprised to see that an orphan that last year was severely malnourished had survived this year and is now doing quite well running around in a baby blue track suit.

 

  

Yet, there were many heart breaking parts of the trip. We were frequently confronted with needs that we could not meet. One mom has 10 kids having lost her husband in the war. We can only help one go to school but the other children can’t attend school. The mom shared that the kids were all healthy but she struggled with whole family living in such deplorable conditions unable to attend school.

It was a great comfort to be reminded that God sees those in need and He cares more then we ever could. It was good to be able to show a glimpse of God’s love to the people while we were there. Our presence was a sign of our concern and was comporting to them. Our trip in some ways was similar to the mourning that happens when someone dies in Congo. The family takes all the furniture out of the house and everyone comes to the house and just sits around on mats in the house mourning the loss. We were in Congo mourning the brokenness of the world and comforting each other with the hope of the inevitable victory of God’s Kingdom to make all things new again.

May God show us each day how to “do what’s right and set things right and fair.”
Tim Rice

Jeremiah 9:23-24 (The Message)
“Don’t let the wise brag of their wisdom.
Don’t let heroes brag of their exploits.
Don’t let the rich brag of their riches.
If you brag, brag of this and this only:
That you understand and know me.
I’m God, and I act in loyal love.
I do what’s right and set things right and fair,
and delight in those who do the same things.
These are my trademarks.”

If you would like make a charitable contribution you can donate to the work in Congo through this link to Christian Foundation of Education. http://cfenow.org/donate/

This is a 6 minute video showing some of the things that happened in Congo.

Barry Henning said, “This was a very, very, very good trip.” The team is looking for ways to further our collaboration and strengthen our communication with our
Congo brothers and sisters. We want to further explore how to encourage the orphans and widows in Congo.

Grace & Peace,

Charlie

We had a good day yesterday meeting for lunch with Leon after his arrival.  We revied the plans and adjusted to the schedule and transportation “realites of Congo.”  We further clearified the use of cell phone in Congo and realized that cell phone minutes are just plain expensive.  We now have two phones with Congo sim cards.  We just need to keep feeding the phone “beast” with “money” to keep them charged. 

Yesterrday for dinner we had a wonderful Bar-B-Q with the teachers at The American School in Kinshasa.  It is across the street from MPH.  Met one of the nurses that used to work at La Clinica in St. Louis before it closed.  We had worked together a couple of times when she worked there at  La Clinica.  We sat outside under a grass thatched roof and talked by candle light.  Many of the teachers will be traveling with us back to America on the same airfrance flight leaving Kinshasa Saturday June 12th.

Our ride is nearly here so must close for now.

 We are staying at MPH.  It’s a hotel.  They have a big backyard in the back so we can play frisbee.  There’s a lot of other missionaries and college students who are staying here.  We watched Star Trek  with them, but I didn’t get to finish it.  I played ping pong.  We’ve been playing cards-Rummy.  We eat here sometimes.  I asked for some foo-foo!  We had pizza too. 

So far what I have been doing in Kinsahsa:  I have gone swimming, and visited a clinic where Doctor Rice talked with the nurse and the doctors.  We saw some x-rays of a kid’s broken arm.  We visited Pastor David’s church where they introduced us to the church members.  I slept through part of the church service because I was so tired.  The church was small compared to our St. Louis church.  They just had drums and singing.  It was loud but not as loud as the church I attended when younger here in Kinshasa. 

After church we went to eat by the river.  We had to wait for two hours for our fish to finish cooking.   I was tired and starving!  We watched these kids who were tying themselves into pretzels.  I will try to get a picture  up. ( I used to be able to bend myself backwards before I had my surgeries.  It was my superpower and my weakness was metal.  Surgery put metal in  me…aghhhhh.  –ha!)

We then visited the river.   We saw all these boats.  People were making boats and fishing.  The kids were using bamboo sticks in the water to fish.  That’s how I used to fish.  There was a pond that we walked to and we would make boats of our own out of leaves..  We would pull the leaves out of the water and stick them together with mud.  We would go out in the middle of the pond.  Sometimes they would break apart and we would have to swim back.  It was dangerous.  We got in trouble.  We would get chased by an older cousin to give us swats because we weren’t supposed to be out on the water.  My grandmother would get mad at my cousin for giving us swats.  She wasn’t in favor of swats. 

We used fishing poles with a hook.  When there was a fish we would yank back to get the hook stuck in its mouth.  After cleaning it out, we would wrap up it up in leaves and cook over the fire.  We would catch catfish and smaller fish.  One time I tripped and fell and a bucket of fish fell on me and all the fish were chasing me to bite me.

Part of the stories on here are because Doctor Rice was asking me questions and told me to include them on here even though I didn’t want to post them.
 

More updates to come….
Pierre

We were scheduled to meet with Dr Bill Clemmer and a group in the process of writing for a $145 million dollar USAID grant to address the health needs of the worst health zones in Congo.  We missed connections and instead had a relaxing morning at MPH.  What a comfort to know that missed connections are a part of God’s divine plan, and I can just go with the flow and see what God wants to do.

After lunch we went to a local Baptist self-supporting clinic that also does deliveries and some simple surgeries.  I was moved and choked up to see a group faithfully taking what God has given them and meeting the need to the poor in the community.  Katherine Niles who took us around the clinic is the daughter of one of the greatest medicial missionaries in Congo Dan Fountain, MD MPH.  Katherine and I talked about the visit we had with her father at Urbana this last Christmas.   

In the evening just before dinner Pierre and I went swimming in the pool at the American School of Kinshasa just down the road from MPH where we are staying. We had a fun time swimming and playing Marco Polo.  Playing with my eyes closed, I scraped my nose on the edge of the pool.  I look really good with a bandage across the bridge of my nose. 

After dinner we listened to a the American School of Kinshasa end of school band and choir concert and art display, an unexpected treat.  We visited with Bill Clemmer and his wife Ann.  Pray that God will give them wisdom as they make some strategic career decisions.  Then the Svobodas and we played cards for awhile.  Now to bed……

Follow this link to the photos.

Suday we visited pastor David’s church and worshiped with them. 

For lunch we went a little way up river to a restraunt in Kinkole where we had fresh grilled Congo river fish.  Exceptionally tasty wonderfully spiced.  Fun to eat from a shared plate. 

After lunch we walked to the river and looked at the boats.

Some of the team is already on the way. Kathy and I leave on Friday.

There has been $1000 donated towards the needs of Marcel Mukendi’s widow. God is our provider.

Pray that our hearts would be a peace–confident in the sovereign work of a loving God.
Pray that our brothers and sisters in Congo would boldly trust God and follow Him doing deeds of mercy for the poor in their community.

A/O 150 Binocular Compound Microscope (10/45/100)
10W, 6V PLEASE RETURN HARD SHELL CASE TO RANDOLPH WORLD MINISTRIES
Lens cleaner, oil, lens paper, Q-tips

200 Red Top Clot Tubes 1 Westergren ESR Rack
200 Lavendar Top EDTA Tubes 200 Westergren Tubes with Saline
400 vacutainer needles 1 Test Tube Rack
1 box 3mL syringes 1 Table Top Centrifuge
300 Syringe Needles 1 Hct Centrifuge
Transfer pipettes 1,000 Plane Hct Tubes
1 Hemacytometer with cover slip 1,000 Heparinized Hct Tubes
4 boxes slides 1 Card Reader
2 boxes coverslips 2 Clay Sealer
6 Urines Tubes 200 Alcohol Pads
20 Urine Sample Cups 200 Bandaids
5 Tourniquets 100 Cotton Balls
1,000 Lancets
6 Thoma Pipettes

The West Africa Bridge Team exists to enable the members of New City Fellowship & God’s people in the St. Louis area to partner with the West African church…for the advancement of the Gospel by preaching grace and doing justice in West Africa; and wherever called by God, to participate in starting new churches in the unreached communities of West Africa.

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.

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.

A large set of photos has been just uploaded for your viewing on the picasa web site. http://picasaweb.google.com/NCFHaiti

I am sitting here in Nassau at the hotel sort of in disbelief of all that has happened over the past week… It has been an amazing week filled with very high points and very low points and I think I speak for the entire team when I say that it was a week that we will never forget. It’s hard to get back from an experience like this and “sum up” our journey, but I thought I might share two of my own personal highlights from the trip with the group in order to try and convey just what this trip has meant to me.
First of all, we spoke as a group yesterday about how we were surprised by the resilience of the people in Haiti. While it was very clear that there was a lot of sorrow and suffering after the earthquake (the very deep kind that is underneath everything else going on), many of us were encouraged by how the people that we met had not given up and lost the will to continue on. One example that really struck me was on Sunday morning when we went to Church in Les Cayes. We were driving up to the church in our van and I looked out the window at the busy street and realized that everyone was dressed up in church clothes. All the people on the motorcycles and in the back of trucks and on bicycles and walking in the ditch by the road were heading to church. Once we got to the church we found it packed full of people, all of them in their Sunday best, the little girls in clean, ruffled dresses and the little boys in dress shirts. The members of the congregation were all standing, singing in Creole at the top of their lungs. There was a man playing the trumpet right in front of me and I couldn’t hear him at all because the people were singing so loud.

It made me pause, because this was a group of human beings who had just lived through a horrible event, lost members of their families, or maybe lost everything that they had owned. But there they were in church, singing at the top of their lungs. Even though they were broken and suffering, they still had faith.  It made me proud to be a human being, and it was very humbling.

Another highlight for me was working in the peds ward at the hospital where I saw a mom and dad with their newborn baby. I was helping another patient and noticed that this couple was standing next to me, timidly, waiting to speak with me. They were almost cowering, afraid to bother me and ask for my attention. They showed me their newborn and in my limited capacity for French (not to be confused with Creole, which I have learned is quite different), they were able to explain to me that they were concerned about their newborn who had been vomiting since yesterday. They looked at me with a mixture of fear and trust in their eyes, and again I felt very humbled that they were asking me for help with a matter that was so important to them. While as a med student I left the hard cases to the docs (or at least consulted them), I felt I could take care of their newborn on my own (don’t worry, I consulted the team afterwards and they agreed with my diagnosis). I walked the family over to their bed (not what you would imagine…a cot really with an old mattress and sheets that the family has to provide) and examined their newborn, asked the appropriate questions, and explained to them in French (again, not to be confused with Creole), that I was confident that their child was okay. The look on their faces of relief and gratitude that I had come over to the bedside and examined their child from head to toe was so touching. I saw them several more times throughout that day and the next day, and each time I passed by their bed they would stand up and thank me profusely. “Nous sommes tres contente que tu est ici”. As a medical student, those are sweet words.

MODERATORS NOTE:  I believe this was posted by Marie but am still awaiting official confirmation.

The folks at Sabreliner are a “never give up group.”   Dave and Tom have made a couple of calls and the Sabreliner team has asked that they continue to work on the situation.  The current constraint is a pilot that is qualified on their aircraft to fly out tomorrow and pick up the group.  This is a situation where they have clearly extended beyond all expectations and we feel truely blessed to have this group on our side.

So for the time being… team 1 (3 team members) and 2 (4 team members) are in the air, team 3 (2 remaining members) is awaiting their flight’s arrival in Les Cayes.  They will regroup tonight and the folks at Bahamas Methodist are set to receive them all and make arrangements.  Not sure what awaits the team in Nassau but we have no doubt that there is a reason we do not know.

On the lighter side, a night in the Bahamas just might be the time they need to recharge before coming home to all the questions and attention.

They have served many and have had the opportunity to be blessed by even more.

God works in mysteries ways…
 

In speaking with Dave on the last run, he indicated that the Sabreliner jet would not be able to make a landing at the Les Cayes airport because the runway does not meet their minimum length according to safety guidelines.  That and the inability to get a flight time into PAP is why the team was delivered to the Dominican Republic airport.
 

Along their path the team ran across a group that was a bit surprised that we had a one way ticket.  They gave us a number to call and assured us that the Bahamas Methodist team would help us out!  It is most definitely a very small world.
 

We have been able to make contact with the group and indeed they are happy to provide any assistance they can.  Click on http://www.bahamashabitat.org/wordpress/ to learn more about their organization and their tremendous efforts.  They do not charge to assist in this manner but donations are always welcome.  They are a US based qualified charitable organization.
 

With the primary operations in Nassau, Bahamas their team flies into smaller airports delivering food and medical supplies on a regular basis, including Les Cayes.  They have generously agreed to adjust their flight schedule to ensure the return of all the team members on the same day!  They will pick up the team Thursday mid-day at the Les Cayes airport and return to Nassau by early evening.
 

Dave has been able to contact them and is coordinating the schedule to ensure a smooth transition for the final connection home.
 

While the final details are in the works it appears that the team will be home by late tomorrow night!

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.

The OB ward was well under control by the staff and so Dr. Bowers and her buddy left and moved to the wound care ward.  Most of the morning was spent tending to dressings and debreeding.  The risk of infection is still high but the team has found that they brought ample supply to address the needs at hand.  In fact by their departure they expect to be able to turn over some meds to Dr. Don who is one of the Haitian physicians whom they have befriended.  They are confident that these life saving drugs will be available for quite a few individuals.

The twist was that they found an interesting need developing.  They realized that their tenure in Les Cayes is short and the help that they have provided has definitely saved lives but the lives that they now felt compelled to speak into were different.  The Haitian doctors will be left day in and day out to care for the patients who had been saved.  The longer term effects of the situation will be their responsibility. 

This calling struck the team to a degree that they found the need to step aside and spend time breaking bread in fellowship with these physicians. While this tale could be one of a few docs going out to lunch it was much deeper.  Jesus stopped at the most critical hour of His life to break bread.  It was this fellowship that provided encouragement for his disciples after His departure.  It was definately not the last supper but in the same way they took time out of the events at hand to support one another.   The team had the opportunity to encourage this group and gained a sense of peace that the people they had encountered were in good hands.

A few stories of the day…

The overall devastation of the earthquake is still being felt and the death toll has officially reached the same level as the Tsunami of 2004.  But today the stories that broke their hearts were a bit off this path.  It reminded the team that life will continue and the challenges that are faced by a devastated society are very real.

Women survived one of the deadliest earthquakes to date in PAP only to fall victim of a motorcycle accident in Les Cayes.  This accident resulted in amputation of a foot.  In a culture that is based on manual labor an injury of this nature is very devastating.  The husband spoke enough English for Jeff to sit down and pray with the couple.  The hope of the Lord is the same for this injury as it is for those of the quake, and the devastation of a life is the same.

A child in need can break the heart of the most hardened individuals.  This is the story of a 3 month old baby that is skin and bones with a severe case of scabies and only weighs 5 lbs.  His mother is mentally ill and the grandmother lacks the resources to provide but is strong in her faith.  This child is now receiving the critical care needed but the team is reminded of the longer term need.  How do we continue to help the people of Haiti beyond today’s visit?  The team will struggle with these questions for a very long time to come.

On a bit of a lighter side… orphanage visit number two this week took an interesting twist as well.  “Mama” was there to greet the team with a smile and a glad you are here, we have a few children, 5 or 6 that could really use a checking on.  Well okay thought the team, bring them in and we’ll take a look.  30 kids later… The team was able to see quite a few of the children and provide some medications. 

There is one young man that stood out for them.  He is “not growing well”, they treated for worms but are concerned that HIV may be the culprit; they recommended that he be tested.  They do not have the resources to provide the proper drugs for care of an HIV positive patient in a third world setting.  The stark reality of the relative hopelessness is ever present.

The team spent quite a bit of time playing with the children and can’t wait to share their pictures.

So today they did not face the crushed bodies and blunt force trauma of the immediate aftermath, but rather the reality that this situation will continue for a very long time and they only have a few short days to make a difference.

Tonight at the team meeting they will discuss the day and encourage one another to make a difference tomorrow.

After working for the day they had an opportunity to leave and go to the beach to witness the local fishermen.  It touched them in an interesting way as they were fishing with nets.  Mathew 4:18 “As Jesus was walking beside the Sea of Galilee, he saw two brother Simon called Peter and his brother Andrew.  They were casting a net into the lake, for they were fishermen.  Come, follow me, Jesus said, and I will make you fishers of men.”

They had an opportunity to stop in an orphanage. The team had packed dum dum suckers for the children.  They felt mobbed and overwhelmed but it was good to see the smiles on the children’s faces.  Matthew 25:40 “The King will reply, ‘I tell you the truth, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers of mine, you did for me.”  Not sure God would want suckers but the children sure did.  : - )

Tonight they organized their supplies again as they will split shift at the hospital and a tent city tommorow.  Rumor tells that they will be joining an already established “mobile clinic.”

While the challenges of the day are still upon them they are able to enjoy the beauty of the land and people of Haiti.  For even in the darkest hour a light shines.  If you have any doubts just take a look at Psalm 23:4.

Covered with enough deet to kill a horse they say hello and thank everyone for watching their story unfold.

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.  It is a great joy to assist in the miracle of life.

The team is loving the donated head lamps from the Alpine shop!  This is a shout out to the fellow climbers if you are following the blog.  These lights are providing a direct source of light on the operative area, invaluable.

Church service in the am featured “7-11” songs as Tony puts it, same seven words eleven times.  The evening service featured “7-77” songs.  The team felt right at home as Jeff got up to preach.  There was lots of fellowship, singing and dancing.

They have been invited back to the hospital tomorrow and perhaps a tent city on Tuesday.

Be sure to ask Kristen about the Tarantula, they have pictures.

Overall everyone’s gifts are shining!  The team has been amazed at the balance of strengths that have been put together.  They are rejoicing in the partnerships and finding a new sense of friendship and appreciation for one another.

It is really beautiful there.  They can see the ocean and the stars are amazing as they don’t have many lights to dim the view.

The team is hoping to post a blog tomorrow if the internet connection is restored.  They can’t wait to share all the pictures with everyone.

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.

Many of you might not know all the team members so here is a quick recap (Jeff and Melissa did not get a chance to do their homework so much of the details are missing, sorry).

Tim Rice, M.D. is a Saint Louis University associate professor of Pediatrics and Internal Medicine.  He did his combined Internal Medicine and Pediatrics residency at Saint Louis University and Cardinal Glennon Children’s Hospital.  He graduated with his M.D. degree from Oregon Health Sciences University in Portland Oregon after getting his Bachelor in Sciences degree at University of Oregon in Eugene.  In St. Louis he leads the Health Connection ministry through his church New City Fellowship and Restore St. Louis.  The Health Connection ministry seeks to connect the immigrant, refugee, poor and uninsured who have health care needs with volunteer caseworkers to help them access needed medical and dental care in St. Louis.  He has been on several medical missions trips and for the past four years has been working to establish self-supporting medical clinics in the Democratic Republic of Congo.     

Dr. Keri Johnson is a pediatrician currently working in general pediatrics at Glennon Care for Kids at DePaul. She completed her residency training in pediatrics through Saint Louis University at Cardinal Glennon Childrens Hospital in 2003. She received her M.D. from Saint Louis University School of medicine in 2000 after attending Colorado State University as an undergraduate. Dr. Johnson has been on several medical missions in the past including trips to rural Peru and the informal settlements of Nairobi, Kenya. She has also been involved with medical outreach to marginalized groups through her local church.

Dr. Leah Swartwout is a Family Physician working for St. Luke’s Medical Group in Ellisville.  She received her Bachelor in Sciences at Stanford University and obtained her M.D. degree from St. Louis University.  She completed her Family Medicine residency at Mercy Family Medicine in St. Louis.   Currently she is part of Westglen Family Physicians a group 5 physicians who have recently started a Clinic for patients without insurance in Eureka called Healing Grace.

Dr. Jessica Bowers is an obstetrician/gynecologist working for SSM Medical Group in Sunset Hills.  She received her undergraduate degree from Adams State College in Alamosa, Colorado and came to St. Louis to attend medical school at St. Louis University.  She completed her residency in obstetrics & gynecology in 2004 at St. Louis University through their program at St. Mary’s Health Center.  After graduation, she worked at People’s Health Centers in St. Louis for 2 years before joining SSM.

Marie Miller is a 4th year medical student at Saint Louis University who has always had an interest in international medical mission work. In high school and college she made several trips to Tlancualpican, Mexico with her family to work with a mission group affiliated with the Methodist Church. Her entire family has been actively involved in numerous different internationally-based aid projects and she feels this has impacted her greatly and brought her family close. She plans to pursue a residency in psychiatry after graduating this May.

Gretchen Heim, RN is currently self-employed as a certified personal trainer and group fitness instructor.  She earned a Bachelor of Arts in Russian Studies at the University of South Florida, and later a Bachelor of Science in Nursing at George Mason University.  She has served as a soldier in US Army, and later as a Nurse Corps Officer in the United States Navy. She is an active volunteer in the outreach ministries of Windsor Crossing community church and Restore St. Louis.  She accompanied Dr. Tim Rice on a mission trip to the Democratic Republic of Congo in 2008.

Kristin Pirrie is a provisionally licensed clinical social worker in St.Louis.  She received her undergraduate degree from Middle Tennessee State University in 1990 and her master’s in social work from the University of Tennessee in 1994. Kristin is a member of the National Association of Social Workers and the Society for Social Work Leadership in Healthcare. Kristin worked for Family and Children’s Services in Nashville, Tennessee before beginning her work counseling children and adolescents at Agape Christian Counseling Services.  Kristin is a mother of five and volunteers at her church on the children’s ministry team.  MODERATORS NOTE:  Kristen packed toys in one of her bags (beach balls, cards, etc).  You might ask how this relates to a medical mission but consider the healing power of laughter, a smile and a simple hug in a desperate situation.

Jeff McGee is a former pastor at New City Fellowship and has an engineering backround.  MODERATORS NOTE:  In preparation for this journey he has prepared a pocket sermon to be used on a moments notice.

Melissa Elliot along with her husband, own a specialty medical supply company.  She has been trained in disaster relief  by Mission to the World.  This is her first opportunity to put her new skills to use.

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…  They were ushered by a translator from bed to bed, room to room.  There are some charts but they can’t be read and the histories given seem to all be different depending on who you talk to, again translation could be a factor.  They think they saw a case of typhoid.  They did quite a bit of wound care.  And sadly they saw a patient die.

A few of them mid way through the shift were moved to the maternity ward, which was good news for the OB/GYN of the group.   Dr. Bowers delivered a baby by C-Section, the baby was not breathing, and Dr. Johnson managed to resuscitate him!

It would appear that patients are expected to bring their own medication and supplies.  There are small pharmacies, across the street from the hospital that sells medications and supplies.  If the patients can’t afford to buy them they try to get them donated but many don’t have any.  The team has been using all of the supplies they have brought, but since the hospital does not have supplies they will need to use them sparingly. The desire to buy needed supplies is there and they have cash but are concerned about using it as they may need it to find their way home.  They have not seen the city yet so they are unsure if an ATM will be available.

The internet is out until possibly Monday so blogging from the field will be delayed.  Something was wrong in the kitchen so they were given Chinese food for dinner.

In short, a life ended and a new life began and they sought to extend as many as they could.

Hopefully with a good night sleep and some fellowship they will be able to regroup and recharge.

Pray   

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.

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.

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.  : - )

More after they cross.

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.

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.

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.

http://tinyurl.com/LesCayes

Isaiah 1 ”Stop doing wrong and learn to live right.   See that justice is done.  Defend widows and orphans and help those in need.”

Change can happen through God’s power:  “I, the LORD, invite you to come and talk it over. Your sins are scarlet red, but they will be whiter than snow or wool. ” Isaiah 1:18

God’s protection will be on us: “God’s own glory will be like a huge tent that covers everything. It will provide shade from the heat of the sun and a place of shelter and protection from storms and rain.” Isaiah 4:5-6

      

From Boca Chica stop over

Link to more photos. http://picasaweb.google.com/NCFHaiti/BocaChicaStopOver?authkey=Gv1sRgCJ3PnKP9w_SJFQ&feat=directlink

]]> http://ncfbridge.org/?feed=rss2&p=304 http://ncfbridge.org/?p=301 http://ncfbridge.org/?p=301#comments Fri, 05 Feb 2010 14:57:19 +0000 Mark Bowers Uncategorized Haiti http://ncfbridge.org/?p=301 “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.

]]> http://ncfbridge.org/?feed=rss2&p=301 http://ncfbridge.org/?p=300 http://ncfbridge.org/?p=300#comments Fri, 05 Feb 2010 14:35:46 +0000 Mark Bowers Uncategorized Haiti http://ncfbridge.org/?p=300 Surprise #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.

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