Wednesday, March 23, 2011
Tuesday, March 22, 2011
Monday, March 21, 2011
Saturday, March 19, 2011
Samaritan's Purse - The Aftercare
An e-mail letter from Samaritan's Purse Canada, received last week-
Dear M,
Although you have been back from Haiti for a number of weeks now, we just wanted to send you another email to thank you again for serving with Samaritan’s Purse in our medical clinics. I hope that you were blessed and encouraged as you worked alongside people from many backgrounds in our clinics and that you felt the Lord’s presence with you as you worked so hard. The staff based here in Calgary have certainly been praying for each of our volunteers, for the team in Haiti, and for the Haitian people. Although a short email cannot appropriately express our gratitude for your willingness to use the gifts and skills the Lord has given you to serve in this way, I still wanted to send you this message to say ‘thank you’ personally.
At Samaritan’s Purse, we recognize that everyone processes the intensity of an experience such as your time Haiti differently. We would like to give you the opportunity to connect with one of our team members, Becky Matchullis, who has a background in nursing and who has travelled to Haiti over the past year to support and encourage our Samaritan’s Purse team on the ground there. I have included a brief bio below and she will follow up with you over the next week or so. This may be a brief conversation, just sharing a few highlights and challenges of your time in Haiti, or it may be longer – it is up to you – and we just wanted to provide you with support as you have returned home and jumped back into your life here in Canada.
Well acquainted with life changes, cross cultural adaptation and international transitions, Becky was raised in Malaysia, Hong Kong and Canada, where she attended boarding, international and public schools. She spent 6 years working as a nurse with critically ill patients and their families in ICU. She has lived in Indonesia, Cambodia, eastern and western Canada as an adult. Becky is a member of the Samaritan’s Purse Spiritual Care Team and often offers training and debriefing to field staff and volunteers who have served with Samaritan’s Purse Canada.
Thank you again for serving with Samaritan’s Purse and may the Lord richly bless you for your willingness to have done so!
Kindly,
C
Dear M,
Although you have been back from Haiti for a number of weeks now, we just wanted to send you another email to thank you again for serving with Samaritan’s Purse in our medical clinics. I hope that you were blessed and encouraged as you worked alongside people from many backgrounds in our clinics and that you felt the Lord’s presence with you as you worked so hard. The staff based here in Calgary have certainly been praying for each of our volunteers, for the team in Haiti, and for the Haitian people. Although a short email cannot appropriately express our gratitude for your willingness to use the gifts and skills the Lord has given you to serve in this way, I still wanted to send you this message to say ‘thank you’ personally.
At Samaritan’s Purse, we recognize that everyone processes the intensity of an experience such as your time Haiti differently. We would like to give you the opportunity to connect with one of our team members, Becky Matchullis, who has a background in nursing and who has travelled to Haiti over the past year to support and encourage our Samaritan’s Purse team on the ground there. I have included a brief bio below and she will follow up with you over the next week or so. This may be a brief conversation, just sharing a few highlights and challenges of your time in Haiti, or it may be longer – it is up to you – and we just wanted to provide you with support as you have returned home and jumped back into your life here in Canada.
Well acquainted with life changes, cross cultural adaptation and international transitions, Becky was raised in Malaysia, Hong Kong and Canada, where she attended boarding, international and public schools. She spent 6 years working as a nurse with critically ill patients and their families in ICU. She has lived in Indonesia, Cambodia, eastern and western Canada as an adult. Becky is a member of the Samaritan’s Purse Spiritual Care Team and often offers training and debriefing to field staff and volunteers who have served with Samaritan’s Purse Canada.
Thank you again for serving with Samaritan’s Purse and may the Lord richly bless you for your willingness to have done so!
Kindly,
C
So many disasters
Hi all,
A bit of a hiatus in the blog. Haiti was such a great experience, and an intense one as you have read.
Haiti still needs the world's support. I have heard through a few of my Haitian contacts that the Samaritan's purse Cholera Treatment centres are still operating, last patient census numbers from 10-40 patients each day. So pretty stable from when I as there serving. Time will tell when the rainy season comes to Haiti if cholera will rise again. Hoping that the water treatment systems and public education that Samaritan's Purse and other NGO's have put in place will keep the numbers down.
The world is seeing more than its share of misery..... The earthquake in New Zealand levelling Christchurch, the revolution in Egypt and other middle eastern countries. Libya, and of course the catastrophe in Japan. It is hard to where God would have you turn your attention and hand.
My daughter Robin and I have just finished watching Schindlers List - a remarkable and encouraging story about the difference one person can make. While onbviously the holocast in World War II was not a natural disaster, it is my hope that we become aware of the humanitarian disasters taking place around the globe, we take it to heart that one person, a regular person, can make a difference. And many regular people doing something can make a huge difference.
As Samaritan's Purse says: Pray. Give. Get Involved.
My next travel, unless God puts another mission in my path, will be to Scotland and maybe a side trip to Ireland. I am hoping to go the last week in April and first week in May. But you never know...last time I had the urge to go to Scotland (in January) I ended up in Haiti!!
A bit of a hiatus in the blog. Haiti was such a great experience, and an intense one as you have read.
Haiti still needs the world's support. I have heard through a few of my Haitian contacts that the Samaritan's purse Cholera Treatment centres are still operating, last patient census numbers from 10-40 patients each day. So pretty stable from when I as there serving. Time will tell when the rainy season comes to Haiti if cholera will rise again. Hoping that the water treatment systems and public education that Samaritan's Purse and other NGO's have put in place will keep the numbers down.
The world is seeing more than its share of misery..... The earthquake in New Zealand levelling Christchurch, the revolution in Egypt and other middle eastern countries. Libya, and of course the catastrophe in Japan. It is hard to where God would have you turn your attention and hand.
My daughter Robin and I have just finished watching Schindlers List - a remarkable and encouraging story about the difference one person can make. While onbviously the holocast in World War II was not a natural disaster, it is my hope that we become aware of the humanitarian disasters taking place around the globe, we take it to heart that one person, a regular person, can make a difference. And many regular people doing something can make a huge difference.
As Samaritan's Purse says: Pray. Give. Get Involved.
My next travel, unless God puts another mission in my path, will be to Scotland and maybe a side trip to Ireland. I am hoping to go the last week in April and first week in May. But you never know...last time I had the urge to go to Scotland (in January) I ended up in Haiti!!
Wednesday, February 9, 2011
Prince George Citizen article January 7, 2011
A Prince George paramedic will be putting her skills to use in cholera-stricken Haiti.
For nearly three weeks, MY, 46, will be working 12 hours a day, six days a week, at a cholera relief station in Cite Soleil, a slum on the outskirts of Port -au-Prince.
Y, who will be flying to the Caribbean country tomorrow and returning to Prince George on January 28, made the move after her sister, a doctor living in Ontario, sent her an e-mail from Samaritan's Purse.
Best known for its Operation Christmas Child program, in which school children send shoe boxes of small gifts to less-fortunate counterparts in other countries, Samaritan's Purse also has a medical wing.
MY sent an application on Dec. 2 and a response came the next day.
"I was shocked and excited," she said.
A mother of four, Y, 48, decided against going over the Christmas break so she could be with her kids but is now ready to go though she remains a little nervous.
"I want to get going so I can stop thinking about it and just do it," she said and added she's purposely refrained from looking at videos on the internet about the situation.
"I don't want to really load myself up with a bunch of ideas and fears before (I go) that might in fact not be true," she said.
Y has been a paramedic for six years, and suspects that's why Samaritan's Purse responded so quickly.
For nearly three weeks, MY, 46, will be working 12 hours a day, six days a week, at a cholera relief station in Cite Soleil, a slum on the outskirts of Port -au-Prince.
Y, who will be flying to the Caribbean country tomorrow and returning to Prince George on January 28, made the move after her sister, a doctor living in Ontario, sent her an e-mail from Samaritan's Purse.
Best known for its Operation Christmas Child program, in which school children send shoe boxes of small gifts to less-fortunate counterparts in other countries, Samaritan's Purse also has a medical wing.
MY sent an application on Dec. 2 and a response came the next day.
"I was shocked and excited," she said.
A mother of four, Y, 48, decided against going over the Christmas break so she could be with her kids but is now ready to go though she remains a little nervous.
"I want to get going so I can stop thinking about it and just do it," she said and added she's purposely refrained from looking at videos on the internet about the situation.
"I don't want to really load myself up with a bunch of ideas and fears before (I go) that might in fact not be true," she said.
Y has been a paramedic for six years, and suspects that's why Samaritan's Purse responded so quickly.
Prince George Citizen Article - Return From Haiti
It may have been a trip to the Caribbean but it was definitely no vacation when Prince George part-time paramedic MY spent two weeks in Haiti last month helping to get victims of a massive cholera outbreak back on their feet.
For 14 hours a night, the 48-year-old mother of four, monitored the intravenous lines used to hydrate those who passed through the cholera treatment centre at Cite Soleil, a slum on the outskirts of Port-au-Prince.
MY returned home on Jan. 26 a little worse for wear as she came down an unspecified ailment she eventually recovered from with some rest and recuperation but also full of stories about the courage of the people facing dire circumstances.
"It was really intense," she said. "The people of Haiti are fantastic, resilient, joyful which was nice because facing the day-to-day grind just to live, I'm not sure that we would be the same. I know I wouldn't."
Hit by a magnitude 7.0 earthquake a bit more than a year ago, the country suffered a cholera outbreak in late October. Cholera is a bacterial infection, usually contracted through contaminated food or water, and causes diarrhea so intense victims can actually die of dehydration.
MY volunteered to help out after her sister, a doctor living in Ontario, sent her an e-mail from Samaritan's Purse. Best known for its Operation Christmas Child program, in which school children send shoe boxes of small gifts to less-fortunate counterparts in other countries, Samaritan's Purse also has a medical wing.
By the time she had arrived, a centre large enough to accommodate 200 people was treating between 70 and 80 at a time and by the time she had left, the number was down to 30 to 40.
It meant the volunteers could concentrate on teaching local medical people how to best treat such victims and MY took to using a practice arm made out of diapers rolled up and wrapped in gloving material.
About 40 per cent were children and most stayed about three days. But the more severe cases stayed a week went through as much as 80 litres of fluid by the end of their stay. "We'd be putting in [fluid] desperately fast and they'd be laying on the cholera cots, which had a hole with a bucket underneath, and you could hear it pouring out a litre at a time."
The volunteers got a day off after six days of work but rarely ventured off the compound.
"There was a really violent night one night where you could hear the gunshots and the other sounds accompanying that - people being wounded - but then the same night the people very close to the compound decided to have an all-night prayer singing," she said.
"You could hear the drums and the hymns and the Haitians rock it out, they like to dance and they sing. It was great because at first we thought it was somebody getting wound up to do something bad and then we realized it was praise music, it was pretty sweet."
The only side trip they took was to an old quarry turned into a mass burial site in which MY said between 100,000 and 200,000 people were buried following the earthquake to prevent the spread of disease.
"They planted hundreds of small black crosses in this quarry rock and it was powerful and disturbing and sad," she said.
It was anything but a holiday at an all inclusive but she said she'd do it again because it was so rewarding.
"Everyone stepped up their game," she said. "When you first go in you think 'oh, I'm such a pretender, I'm really not what they need' and then everyone becomes what's needed."
For 14 hours a night, the 48-year-old mother of four, monitored the intravenous lines used to hydrate those who passed through the cholera treatment centre at Cite Soleil, a slum on the outskirts of Port-au-Prince.
MY returned home on Jan. 26 a little worse for wear as she came down an unspecified ailment she eventually recovered from with some rest and recuperation but also full of stories about the courage of the people facing dire circumstances.
"It was really intense," she said. "The people of Haiti are fantastic, resilient, joyful which was nice because facing the day-to-day grind just to live, I'm not sure that we would be the same. I know I wouldn't."
Hit by a magnitude 7.0 earthquake a bit more than a year ago, the country suffered a cholera outbreak in late October. Cholera is a bacterial infection, usually contracted through contaminated food or water, and causes diarrhea so intense victims can actually die of dehydration.
MY volunteered to help out after her sister, a doctor living in Ontario, sent her an e-mail from Samaritan's Purse. Best known for its Operation Christmas Child program, in which school children send shoe boxes of small gifts to less-fortunate counterparts in other countries, Samaritan's Purse also has a medical wing.
By the time she had arrived, a centre large enough to accommodate 200 people was treating between 70 and 80 at a time and by the time she had left, the number was down to 30 to 40.
It meant the volunteers could concentrate on teaching local medical people how to best treat such victims and MY took to using a practice arm made out of diapers rolled up and wrapped in gloving material.
About 40 per cent were children and most stayed about three days. But the more severe cases stayed a week went through as much as 80 litres of fluid by the end of their stay. "We'd be putting in [fluid] desperately fast and they'd be laying on the cholera cots, which had a hole with a bucket underneath, and you could hear it pouring out a litre at a time."
The volunteers got a day off after six days of work but rarely ventured off the compound.
"There was a really violent night one night where you could hear the gunshots and the other sounds accompanying that - people being wounded - but then the same night the people very close to the compound decided to have an all-night prayer singing," she said.
"You could hear the drums and the hymns and the Haitians rock it out, they like to dance and they sing. It was great because at first we thought it was somebody getting wound up to do something bad and then we realized it was praise music, it was pretty sweet."
The only side trip they took was to an old quarry turned into a mass burial site in which MY said between 100,000 and 200,000 people were buried following the earthquake to prevent the spread of disease.
"They planted hundreds of small black crosses in this quarry rock and it was powerful and disturbing and sad," she said.
It was anything but a holiday at an all inclusive but she said she'd do it again because it was so rewarding.
"Everyone stepped up their game," she said. "When you first go in you think 'oh, I'm such a pretender, I'm really not what they need' and then everyone becomes what's needed."
Tuesday, February 8, 2011
Encourage others
A little note of encouragement left by my friend HA. I found this on my bunk after working quite a few night shifts in a row. I was tired, and my enthusiasm was flagging. But..... when I found this small note, I felt a renewal of energy and purpose. Thanks H - its a good reminder that we all need to encourage each other in what we do.
Monday, February 7, 2011
Fantastic dinner!
When the coutry director of Samaritan's Purse Haiti was leaving for another challenge, the staff put on a celebration dinner for him. Absolutely fantastic lasagna dinner!! The mess hall was decorated, and there were even candles! A special night!
Thursday, February 3, 2011
Live Streaming
What does Live Streaming mean to you?
Probably most would say live streaming means data streams coming across on your laptop or PC enabling you to watch movies, TV shows, news, and listen to music.
It has a new meaning for me.
When I left home to begin the journey to Haiti, many thoughts and prayers went with me - but physically, I was by myself. At the same time, in Canada, the US, and the UK, others were preparing and beginning their journeys to Haiti as well. As the aircraft streaked towards the gathering points, I wondered how we would know each other - those going as part of the Samaritan's Purse team. I got as far as Dallas-Fort Worth Airport before I knew the answer. While waiting for my bag by the baggage carousel in the airport, I hear a voice asking, "Are you going to Haiti?", and turned to meet HA. Was excited to meet both H and J from Calgary, Alberta, who were also going to Haiti for Samaritan's Purse! yay!!
H was making her second trip to Haiti, and her husband J, his first. Ahhhh it so settled my nerves to meet them! To travel with a veteran very sweet!
The next day we met up at the airport in DFW, and continued our journey to Miami. On the plane, I was sat next to a physician on her way to Nicauragua to work in a clinic assisting women who have been damaged by sexual assault in Managua. Wow! In front of me, an older lady, very enthusiastic, and on her way to supervise the building of a church in Columbia. WOW! Help on the way, so many different places!
In Miami, J, H, and I enjoyed a quick meal together, and had the opportunity to start to get to know each other. I felt so shepherded by their presence, and willingness to chat and share.
When it was time to board the flight to Port au Prince, the flight was very full. As we made our way down the bridge to the aircraft, I started to notice the people. And the t-shirts. So many different 'missions' - Habitat for Humanity. Unicef. Samaritan's Purse. And many smaller ones - individual church groups and organizations. The plane jammed with them all!
As I tried (without success) to jam my backpack into an overhead bin (Thank you J for helping me out here!) I had a great view of everyone on the plane. A huge mosaic of helpers....and I felt so humbled by it. All this help streaming to Haiti...... LIVE STREAMING!!
Obviously an emotional journey, and to see so many others going as well, amazing. When the Captain of the aircraft welcomed the humanitarian folk on board I had a hard time not losing my composure.
Humbling. Exciting. Pride in the people who would come and work. WOW!!!
My hope is that Haiti will stay in the news and in people's minds. We cannot stop helping.... it is making a difference!
Probably most would say live streaming means data streams coming across on your laptop or PC enabling you to watch movies, TV shows, news, and listen to music.
It has a new meaning for me.
When I left home to begin the journey to Haiti, many thoughts and prayers went with me - but physically, I was by myself. At the same time, in Canada, the US, and the UK, others were preparing and beginning their journeys to Haiti as well. As the aircraft streaked towards the gathering points, I wondered how we would know each other - those going as part of the Samaritan's Purse team. I got as far as Dallas-Fort Worth Airport before I knew the answer. While waiting for my bag by the baggage carousel in the airport, I hear a voice asking, "Are you going to Haiti?", and turned to meet HA. Was excited to meet both H and J from Calgary, Alberta, who were also going to Haiti for Samaritan's Purse! yay!!
H was making her second trip to Haiti, and her husband J, his first. Ahhhh it so settled my nerves to meet them! To travel with a veteran very sweet!
The next day we met up at the airport in DFW, and continued our journey to Miami. On the plane, I was sat next to a physician on her way to Nicauragua to work in a clinic assisting women who have been damaged by sexual assault in Managua. Wow! In front of me, an older lady, very enthusiastic, and on her way to supervise the building of a church in Columbia. WOW! Help on the way, so many different places!
In Miami, J, H, and I enjoyed a quick meal together, and had the opportunity to start to get to know each other. I felt so shepherded by their presence, and willingness to chat and share.
When it was time to board the flight to Port au Prince, the flight was very full. As we made our way down the bridge to the aircraft, I started to notice the people. And the t-shirts. So many different 'missions' - Habitat for Humanity. Unicef. Samaritan's Purse. And many smaller ones - individual church groups and organizations. The plane jammed with them all!
As I tried (without success) to jam my backpack into an overhead bin (Thank you J for helping me out here!) I had a great view of everyone on the plane. A huge mosaic of helpers....and I felt so humbled by it. All this help streaming to Haiti...... LIVE STREAMING!!
Obviously an emotional journey, and to see so many others going as well, amazing. When the Captain of the aircraft welcomed the humanitarian folk on board I had a hard time not losing my composure.
Humbling. Exciting. Pride in the people who would come and work. WOW!!!
My hope is that Haiti will stay in the news and in people's minds. We cannot stop helping.... it is making a difference!
Tuesday, February 1, 2011
Monday, January 31, 2011
Samaritan's Purse in Haiti
I have posted a video bar of Samaritan's Purse in Haiti. Amazing footage. Also, google Samaritan's Purse for more if you want to look at the work God is doing, in Haiti, and around the world. (Haiti of course being rather close to my heart!)
The cholera clinic shown in the footage with Sarah Palin is the Cite Soleil site, and I was lucky enough to work with all 3 medical coordinators shown. :)
I was shocked at the impact that watching the footage had on me. Have been there, lived it, and yet still.....
www.samaritanspurse.ca
The cholera clinic shown in the footage with Sarah Palin is the Cite Soleil site, and I was lucky enough to work with all 3 medical coordinators shown. :)
I was shocked at the impact that watching the footage had on me. Have been there, lived it, and yet still.....
www.samaritanspurse.ca
Sunday, January 30, 2011
How do you say thanks for a life-changing experience?
Hi all,
My mom always taught us that if we were grateful to someone, we should write a thank you note. (She also said I have more guts than brains...)
So here's my weak attempt at saying thanks for a profound experience -
My gratitude....
For your prayers and encouragement. Without them, I would not have been as courageous, nor as strong.
For reading the blog - and suffering through the poor grammar and spelling (my excuse remains that I was writing at night....hee hee hee) - sharing the experience with you through the blog kept me in connected and in community with you. When I felt homesick and weary, you were all with me, and when I flagged, I knew you were counting on me.
To my family and friends for saying, yeah, go for it Mom......without this I would not have been able to let go...... and just go. And for those who watched over my children, my kitties, and my home - especially when digging out after the heavy snows. Thanks also to my neighbours, who helped out.
To all who have taught me, every piece that has gone into this "work in progress which is me" contributed to being able to go, and do what we were doing. Thanks especially to my tough preceptor who told me once I was 'unflappable".... to which I thought, oohhh, no.... just a really good actress!! (and ya know....if you're not really confident....the next best thing is to ACT like you are...hahahaha)
To Canada - for providing me the best place in the world to grow up in - one that is safe, secure, and has abundant opportunity. A country of freedom and integrity, a place you can come from and stand on the international stage and be seen as one of the 'good guys'.
To Samaritan's Purse, for being where you are needed, and providing what is necessary and good. God Bless you.
To the Haitian people -for showing your beauty, strength, and for keeping us safe, feeding us yummy meals, and mostly for allowing us to care for you, learn from you, and celebrate big (life over death) and small (singing in the middle of the night) victories.
To the Cite Soleil night crew - you are amazing and I feel humble and very happy to have been part of such a thing, with you. Skill...knowledge...experience...amazing faith.....good humour....common sense....and darn good colouring skills....! What more could you ask for in a team surrounding and accepting you as a viable part?
Most of all though, thanks to our Father God, who gently lets me know what I should be doing, and then prods me in no uncertain terms to GET OUT THERE! Thank you for being so patient with me even when I am not quick to listen, and for showing me what I need (again and again until I GET it!). Most of all thank you for the opportunity to be in your refining fire. My humblest thanks for using me, a most imperfect tool.
When I was through speaking today in church, I asked for the song "Watch over Me" by Aaron Shust to be played, and it was. I listened to it frequently when trying to fall asleep in my bunk bed in Haiti after a night shift. I have attached a 'you-tube' video bar to the blog. "Watch over Me" can be found by pressing the orange sunset icon. The lyrics are there as well. Also, as I discovered you can post a video bar element with Youtube to the pages (thus creating a monster...hahahaha) I have also included those on Canada, and the unbelievable "We are the World 25 Haiti" which is worth watching, especially the images whowing the people of Haiti. Please don't forget Haiti.
My mom always taught us that if we were grateful to someone, we should write a thank you note. (She also said I have more guts than brains...)
So here's my weak attempt at saying thanks for a profound experience -
My gratitude....
For your prayers and encouragement. Without them, I would not have been as courageous, nor as strong.
For reading the blog - and suffering through the poor grammar and spelling (my excuse remains that I was writing at night....hee hee hee) - sharing the experience with you through the blog kept me in connected and in community with you. When I felt homesick and weary, you were all with me, and when I flagged, I knew you were counting on me.
To my family and friends for saying, yeah, go for it Mom......without this I would not have been able to let go...... and just go. And for those who watched over my children, my kitties, and my home - especially when digging out after the heavy snows. Thanks also to my neighbours, who helped out.
To all who have taught me, every piece that has gone into this "work in progress which is me" contributed to being able to go, and do what we were doing. Thanks especially to my tough preceptor who told me once I was 'unflappable".... to which I thought, oohhh, no.... just a really good actress!! (and ya know....if you're not really confident....the next best thing is to ACT like you are...hahahaha)
To Canada - for providing me the best place in the world to grow up in - one that is safe, secure, and has abundant opportunity. A country of freedom and integrity, a place you can come from and stand on the international stage and be seen as one of the 'good guys'.
To Samaritan's Purse, for being where you are needed, and providing what is necessary and good. God Bless you.
To the Haitian people -for showing your beauty, strength, and for keeping us safe, feeding us yummy meals, and mostly for allowing us to care for you, learn from you, and celebrate big (life over death) and small (singing in the middle of the night) victories.
To the Cite Soleil night crew - you are amazing and I feel humble and very happy to have been part of such a thing, with you. Skill...knowledge...experience...amazing faith.....good humour....common sense....and darn good colouring skills....! What more could you ask for in a team surrounding and accepting you as a viable part?
Most of all though, thanks to our Father God, who gently lets me know what I should be doing, and then prods me in no uncertain terms to GET OUT THERE! Thank you for being so patient with me even when I am not quick to listen, and for showing me what I need (again and again until I GET it!). Most of all thank you for the opportunity to be in your refining fire. My humblest thanks for using me, a most imperfect tool.
When I was through speaking today in church, I asked for the song "Watch over Me" by Aaron Shust to be played, and it was. I listened to it frequently when trying to fall asleep in my bunk bed in Haiti after a night shift. I have attached a 'you-tube' video bar to the blog. "Watch over Me" can be found by pressing the orange sunset icon. The lyrics are there as well. Also, as I discovered you can post a video bar element with Youtube to the pages (thus creating a monster...hahahaha) I have also included those on Canada, and the unbelievable "We are the World 25 Haiti" which is worth watching, especially the images whowing the people of Haiti. Please don't forget Haiti.
Saturday, January 29, 2011
Healing Haiti
Connecting people who have much and need little, with those who need much, and have little
Friday, January 28, 2011
What a mess!
My driveway after all the snow. A huge thank you to all who helped move this mess. I am truly grateful!
On the home front
While I was away enjoying my 'tropical vacation', here is what was happening at home....snow, snow, and more snow. Zral girls visiting my place to see the kitties!
Inside the 'staff lounge' at Cite Soleil Cholera Treatment Centre
A converted railway car served as our staff lounge at Cite Soleil....and it was air conditioned, hooray!!
The Team
Hi all,
Today being Friday, I am mindful that the team members who we left last Saturday in Haiti, will begin their journeys home tomorrow. Was wrenching to leave them on Saturday, but exciting to be homeward bound. I imagine they will be feeling the same on their last full day in Haiti now. They will be the veterans in camp, and will have done their part to welcome the new folk coming in, and help them to integrate into compound and CTC life. And then they will say goodbye, as we did. I am sure they will feel sadness at leaving, and joy at their impending return to their regular lives. Not that any of them are 'regular' come to think of it :)
So I pray for their safe return, to where ever it might be....and that the experience is something they will always think back upon and cherish. I will always be thankful for those I served with there. Thanks guys :) (sniff, sniff, sniff)
Today being Friday, I am mindful that the team members who we left last Saturday in Haiti, will begin their journeys home tomorrow. Was wrenching to leave them on Saturday, but exciting to be homeward bound. I imagine they will be feeling the same on their last full day in Haiti now. They will be the veterans in camp, and will have done their part to welcome the new folk coming in, and help them to integrate into compound and CTC life. And then they will say goodbye, as we did. I am sure they will feel sadness at leaving, and joy at their impending return to their regular lives. Not that any of them are 'regular' come to think of it :)
So I pray for their safe return, to where ever it might be....and that the experience is something they will always think back upon and cherish. I will always be thankful for those I served with there. Thanks guys :) (sniff, sniff, sniff)
Thursday, January 27, 2011
What I miss.....
Funny, we all thought about what we missed from home while we were in Haiti. Now of course, human nature being what it is, I am thinking about what I miss from Haiti!
The Haitian people. Beautiful, strong, and amazingly tough.
The spirit of being part of a wonderful team.
The unbelievably good smells coming from the mess hall when the Haitian ladies were cooking..... and the meals....! And that yellow juice... so yummy!
A cold coke in the Staff Lounge at the compound - because it was a treat
The feeling of complete weariness after the nightshift, cold shower, and a wee bit of breakfast - and crawling into bed, tucking in the mosquito netting..hmmmmmmmmmm and zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz................!
The Billy Graham Chaplains....always there, always praying, and so approachable. Thanks you guys :)
The sound of singing in the chapel as you are beginning your sleep after nightshift. Surreal, really.
The translators - amazing, funny, brilliant!! (Jean Marie who could take an amazing medical history...and started learning to do IV's on the IV arm!!)
Brutus's singing and laughter
The Haitian people. Beautiful, strong, and amazingly tough.
The spirit of being part of a wonderful team.
The unbelievably good smells coming from the mess hall when the Haitian ladies were cooking..... and the meals....! And that yellow juice... so yummy!
A cold coke in the Staff Lounge at the compound - because it was a treat
The feeling of complete weariness after the nightshift, cold shower, and a wee bit of breakfast - and crawling into bed, tucking in the mosquito netting..hmmmmmmmmmm and zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz................!
The Billy Graham Chaplains....always there, always praying, and so approachable. Thanks you guys :)
The sound of singing in the chapel as you are beginning your sleep after nightshift. Surreal, really.
The translators - amazing, funny, brilliant!! (Jean Marie who could take an amazing medical history...and started learning to do IV's on the IV arm!!)
Brutus's singing and laughter
On the inside looking out.....
....or from the outside looking in..... either way the razor wire is uncompromising
A shoe bath
At the Cholera Treatment Centre, when transitioning from place to place within the complex, one must walk through these cement "shoe baths" which contained big sponges ladened with chlorox. Take THAT cholera bugs!!
Some thoughts
Hi all,
Has been a few days now since my return to home and still my thoughts are filled with Haiti, and the people I was privileged to meet, serve with, and assist. As I go about my everyday tasks at home my mind is still far away, and trying in its own way to parse the information. So many have asked me the simple question - how was your trip? What to say. Fantastic, profound, difficult, tiring, fulfilling. So many emotions.
Thank you to all who have asked me the question, and then been patient enough to listen to the answer. Pity the ones who have asked a simple, polite question to be answered by a blurt of more information than they ever wanted, lol. Sorry about that :) I am sure the intensity of my descriptions will probably decrease, as time goes by. Though inside I am as certain that my feelings for the people of Haiti and their struggle will never subside.
I am lucky to be giving an update to my church family this coming Sunday and have been trying to decide what to say. I think there are several themes central to this profound experience, and two of the strongest threads, for me anyway, are hope and community.
Some simple pleasures that I have enjoyed more than before the trip-
Diet coke!!
The quiet of night time here - no generators, fans, crowing of roosters (Haitian roosters start around 1 am and continue all night...!)
The simple joy of understanding all the conversations around you. I must work on my French before I go to Haiti again.....
Snow - ok, scratch that one, snow was fun for about half an hour upon my return!!
Baths - yup, not a shower person, and have had a ridiculous number of baths for no reason at all since I have been home, just because I can!!
Driving - on good roads (if the plows have been out) with rules I understand.
Google - sure did miss being able to look things up when required.
News - being disconnected from the news of the world was both a pleasure, and a little disconcerting while in Haiti. But at the same time watching it nightly I am finding may not add positively to my life. Interesting.
Has been a few days now since my return to home and still my thoughts are filled with Haiti, and the people I was privileged to meet, serve with, and assist. As I go about my everyday tasks at home my mind is still far away, and trying in its own way to parse the information. So many have asked me the simple question - how was your trip? What to say. Fantastic, profound, difficult, tiring, fulfilling. So many emotions.
Thank you to all who have asked me the question, and then been patient enough to listen to the answer. Pity the ones who have asked a simple, polite question to be answered by a blurt of more information than they ever wanted, lol. Sorry about that :) I am sure the intensity of my descriptions will probably decrease, as time goes by. Though inside I am as certain that my feelings for the people of Haiti and their struggle will never subside.
I am lucky to be giving an update to my church family this coming Sunday and have been trying to decide what to say. I think there are several themes central to this profound experience, and two of the strongest threads, for me anyway, are hope and community.
Some simple pleasures that I have enjoyed more than before the trip-
Diet coke!!
The quiet of night time here - no generators, fans, crowing of roosters (Haitian roosters start around 1 am and continue all night...!)
The simple joy of understanding all the conversations around you. I must work on my French before I go to Haiti again.....
Snow - ok, scratch that one, snow was fun for about half an hour upon my return!!
Baths - yup, not a shower person, and have had a ridiculous number of baths for no reason at all since I have been home, just because I can!!
Driving - on good roads (if the plows have been out) with rules I understand.
Google - sure did miss being able to look things up when required.
News - being disconnected from the news of the world was both a pleasure, and a little disconcerting while in Haiti. But at the same time watching it nightly I am finding may not add positively to my life. Interesting.
The dorm
Lots and lots of bunk beds. Like being at summer camp again! (Except there are no mosquito nets at camp.....hey....maybe there should be!!)
Tuesday, January 25, 2011
Cite Soleil
An internet image taken in Cite Soleil. Not difficult to imagine why cholera, a waterbourne bacterial disease could wreak such havoc here. :(
Patient Transportation
Forgive me for posting this image, it is one from the internet and not one I captured myself. I feel it should be here because it illustrates a few things. In Haiti the modes of transportation are varied, and they do not enjoy the same ease in transporting the sick as we all do. I have seen folk transported to our CTC in tap taps (a common mode of transport in Haiti), being carried, walking, by red cross stretcher - any way they can be. I have no doubt they have arrived by wheelbarrow as well. The Haitian people have so many challenges in their everyday lives.... and they rise to them. Bless them.
The Escape Module
The escape module - or "shelter in place" truck. Set in an accessible part of the Cite Soleil CTC, it was our "Get out of Dodge" vehicle if something were to go wrong. I was happy to know it was there, just in case. But the one night I heard it start up, really shook me up..... until I realized they were only making sure the truck battery was in good shape.... whew!! Not an insubstantial adrenaline rush!!!
My first MRE!
My first MRE... meal ready to eat.... an adventure! And pretty tasty as well (though all varieties are NOT equal, lol). Quite enjoyed opening them to see what was inside. And a treat to have a hot meal in the middle of a night shift where no cooking facilities exist. I understand that day shift were treated to a bag of peanut butter sandwiches everyday.... so in my reckoning Nights did quite well with the MRE's!!
EMS ingenuity!! Way to think outside the box...!
The warming of fluids for those sick in the night....devised by an earlier visiting paramedic...... a piece of rebar on top of the generator for the lights, the IV bags hung by the exhaust..... fluid comes out nice and warm. If too warm to use internally, they make great "hot water bottles' to tuck in beside sick and cold patients, and the occasional sleepy Haitian nurse :)
Monday, January 24, 2011
The Memorial Site
On the anniversary of the devastating earthquake in Haiti, we were allowed to go see the memorial site where 200,000 people are buried in a mass grave. Very stark.
Over the fence.....
An ambulance sitting outside the plastic and razor wire fence. Viewed from the steps of the railroad car staff lounge
Mealtime before shift
Enjoying some good cookin' before heading off to work. We enjoyed sitting in the 'breezeway' which is located between the women's dorm and the mess hall. Especially lovely ambiance with the clothes line behind us, hee hee hee.
Bittie feet
Waaay too cute.....another view. The only 'patient' pic I took, obviously could not betray their confidentiality.
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