Heading to Haiti, I Hope

The past two years I have traveled to Haiti to participate in a mission trip to serve the people of Haiti in some small way. The first year we traveled to Haiti about 3 months after the earthquake and provided medical clinics and food distribution. The second year we began construction on a school and provided medical care, including medical care to a orphanage which housed the children in a building that had been condemned after the earthquake.

If you have read any of my past postings on Haiti I hope you will have seen the love for and pull toward the people of Haiti that has captured me since my first trip. This year I would like to return to Haiti to continue construction on the school and help start some work to relieve the orphanage.

This is where you, you the reader, come in. The cost of he trip this year is roughly $1300 plus airfare, which is about $800 from San Jose, CA. Part of the mission work for a trip like this is soliciting funds to help pay for the trip. This serves multiple purposes including having to humble yourself to ask for help and giving me the opportunity to speak to people about Haiti and the ongoing need.

Last year I was completely overwhelmed by the generosity of my friends and co- workers and truly humbled. And while I understand the economic times are tough I am again asking for your support for this mission trip.

The cost of the mission trip goes to cover room and board while in Haiti as well as the hiring of locals as translators, drivers, cooks. The funds also include a donation for building materials and salary to help hire local workers after we leave Haiti. The group with which I work try's to provide long term benefit to Haiti and not just relief while we are in country.

I urge you to take a few minutes to read some of my past blogs from the mission trips and consider any amount that you might be able to spare to help support me on this mission trip. Any amount is a great help.

If you are able to help you can send tax deductible donations either to me at

David Bainbridge
P.O. Box 54040
San Jose, CA 95154-4040

Or to the organization with which I am working at

Shantia Wright-Gray
WAYS Coordinator
Support for: David Bainbridge
P.O. Box 7028
Ocean Park, ME 04063

If you have any questions or would just like to talk about the mission work please feel free to contact me by leaving blog comments or email at davidk.bainbridge@gmail.com.

Location:Rubino Dr,San Jose,United States

On My Way ... China to California

I am sitting in the hotel lobby in the Grand Skylight Garden in downtown Shenzhen, China. This is the town where they produce a lot of the electronics we use in our daily lives, including the iPhone and iPad. I have been here for about 3 weeks for work and am now waiting to catch a bus to Hong Kong to start the trip home.

It has been a busy summer. I have voluntarily changed companies, moved to California, and am working on both selling and buying a house. But still, my thoughts often drift back to Haiti.

To be honest, I am concerned right now. It is the end of October and there are no firm plans for a trip back to Haiti yet. I feel that time is running out to make a trip this year possible. I intellectually understand that these things take time and it is very difficult tonged these things organized, but I find myself impatient. Something I need to work on.

I do communicate with the translators from our last trip now and again via Facebook, but as I have been in China for 3 weeks I have been unable to check in on Facebook as it is blocked in China.

After being away from my family for so long I do not relish being away from them again if a trip to Haiti materializes, but I hope the trip does. I still feel quite a pull to be in Haiti to help in whatever little way I can. But, at this point, I suspect it is a real possibility that I won't make it this year.

Location:Fuzhong Rd,Shenzhen,China

Oh That Smell

Technically it is spring in New England and while the temperature does not seem to agree, it does mean it is time to do the spring burning. For those people that don't live in an area of the country that allows burning, this is when you take all the broken limbs, twigs, etc. that you have collected since fall and burn them in your yard.

I started a bit late this year and did my first burning yesterday. I have quite a large pile of material and started burning at 10AM, as that is when the permit says you may start. I fed the fire all day and around 3 in the afternoon I decide it was about time to start shutting it down. According to the permit all fires must be out by 4PM.

With a hose and shovel I alternated between soaking the ash pile and then stirring it up. The purpose being to make sure all the ash and coals are cool enough so that the fire does not reignite and perhaps cause damage.

After going through this cycle 2 or 3 times the wind shifted direction and I was hit with the smell of stall water mixed with charcoal ash and I was instantly transported to the back of an open truck riding through Port-au-Prince. It took me by surprise and brought back so many images. Shortly after the wind shifted again and I lost the smell.

The real strange part is that I then found myself attempting to find the smell, however horrible, again. It was not to be. After that instant the mixture would not recreate the smell, but the images stayed with me.

They say that smell is the most powerful memory inducing sense. As a visual person I would not have believed that. But after yesterday I don't think I will doubt that sense again.

One Month Later

It has been about a month since I was in Haiti and it is still constantly on my mind. I think I have adjusted back to "normal" life better this year. I don't seem to be suffering from as much guilt as I did this time last year. I don't know if this is because I am hardened or because I am taking a broader view. Don't get me wrong, I can still be easily driven to be a mess when recalling Haiti, but in normal conversation I am better able to control the situation.

It is strange sometimes to have Haiti so near to my thoughts all the time. Try to imaging being in a detailed conversation dealing with your job, a conversation where you are completely engaged and that takes your full concentration. Then imagine that in the middle of that conversation an image of the 5 year old orphan that you built a necklace with takes over your entire thought. And then you have to find a way back to your work conversation. Now apply that to every aspect of your life. Working. Eating. Driving. Talking. Worshipping. This is my life.

Depending on the situation it is easier or harder to fight your way back to the present. The hardest times are when there is nothing else to occupy your thoughts; doing automatic tasks: driving, waiting, the quiet of the morning, as you fade to sleep.

You think it would be easier if it would stop, but you also know that you don't want it to because you would lose part of yourself. I honestly think it helps me make better decisions in the long run as it gives a good perspective on value. The good news it is not debilitating. Clearly, I am able function effectively, but it is the new normal.

Thanks and Pictures/Video

I am on my third day back home and my mind still swims in the memories of Haiti and the Dominican Republic as I start to think about planning for another trip as soon as I can make it back. Mission team members are already starting to flood Facebook with pictures from the trip and I thought I would share those with everyone as a way to say thank you for the support that was provided.

If you have questions or would like to talk about the mission trip please feel free to contact me. I would be happy to discuss it at any depth you would like.

Video Snapshots @ YouTube
Photo Snapshots @ Facebook

You can also find additional photos from others on the trip at

• Haiti
• La Romana March 15, 2011
• Friday in Haiti
• Leaving Haiti, DR Monday
• La Republica Dominicana Numero cuatro!
• La Republica Dominicana Numero cuatro 2!
• La Romana: Spring 2011
• La Romana: Spring 2011 Part 2
• Dangly Fever 2011: Gozo, Paz, y Alegria en La Romana
• La Romana Mission Trip 2011
• La Romana 2011

Leaving Hispanola

In case you are not aware, Hispaniola is the name of the island that is shared by Haiti and the Dominican Republic. Today is the day that I leave the island after spending a week in Haiti and a week in the Dominican Republic. As expected I have mixed feelings about leaving. I miss my family greatly and can't think my wife enough for her support, but I also feel that so much has been left undone, especially in Haiti.

The plane is in the air now and I can see the mountains to the west. Over those mountains is Haiti. The peacefulness of the world at 10,000 feet hides the trouble at ground level. How long will it be until Haiti heals?

When I think or Haiti I think of all the things c that could be done to support the Haitian people and help the country to regain it's glory as the "Pearl or the Caribean" as it was one called by France. But much has to change both in the international community and in Haiti for Haiti to rebuild.

The constant donations to Haiti have help to cripple their economy. The local businesses have to be support and aid money need to flow through them as opposed to foreign contractors. At the same time the quality and performance of those local businesses needs improve to the standards that can be achieved by foreign contractors.

Corruption in government and business can no longer be tolerated. Those that perpetuate it must be brought to justice.

Education must be prioritized for all Haitians. Through education the next generation can learn about Haiti's history and prepare the country for both local business initiatives and for branches of international companies.

Simple things like perpetuating he habit of throwing trash in receptacles must also be enforced. Bringing security and cleanliness to the county will help bring tourists, which can infuse money and jobs into the economy.

And there is much more that needs to be done. My hope is I can continue to play a small part in the rebirth of Haiti.

... Over the ocean with Hispaniola no longer in view ... God bless and see you soon ...

Location:Delta 494, Santa Domingo Airport @ gate, 12:21

Last Work Day

Today was the last work day in the DR. Like yesterday I worked on moving air-conditioners at the hospital. While we didn't complete everything we would have liked we did get a lot done and had an important meeting with the hospital director.

There was a bit of excitement yesterday when we couldn't discover which breaker was governing a circuit to an air-conditioning unit. It was decided that we should short out he 220v power source and see which breaker tripped. A loud bang and sparks later nothing tripped. We eventually found it, but nothing like a short circuit to wake you up.

We also had people start cutting rebar over out head with little warning yesterday. So move sparks followed by hot iron falling. Safety standards are a little more flexible here.

The meeting we had today with the hospital today was important because he has stated that he wants the hospital electrics to be in line with US electrical code for hospitals. Right now they are far bellow. Two guys from out team who know a bit about the code explained to the director and his construction team what needs to be changed and the standards that must be followed going forward. There was a lively discussion covering everything from cost, expediency, tradition, and practicality; but in the end it was agreed that going forward the hospital would be built to code.

Tomorrow is a down day which is used to reflect on the trip and work on readjusting to life in the US. I miss the family a lot and it will be great to seem them all. I do feel as though this will be my last trip to the DR as I would like to focus on Haiti. I would come back if my children or wife want to come down, but not likely solo. Haiti calls me much stronger than the DR.

Electric - Day 2

I spent the day at the hospital today working on the electrical team. Specifically what we are doing is moving air-conditioning condensers from the forth floor to the roof. Why are they on the forth floor as opposed to the roof in the first place you might wonder.

The reason they are on the forth floor is because the hospital is being built floor by floor and at one point what is now the forth floor was the roof. But, now that the forth floor is being walled in all the units have to be moved. This means trapping all the freon in the condenser, disconnecting it from power (with the 220 v wires hot), carrying the unit to the roof, the extending the wiring, copper tubing , etc. to the new location. Then repeat until all units are done.

It is not as physically demanding as the work last week, but it is needed to keep the hospital expanding and the patients comfortable.

Oh, and an update on C who chipped a tooth yesterday. He got it repaired today at the hospital for A grand total of $20US. That isn't the co-pay that is the total cash price with no billing to the insurance company.

The New Steve

Yesterday Steve, who was part of the 3 man team doing electrical work at the hospital, decided to severely sprain his ankle and so had to retire from the electrical team to the task of handing out de-worming medicine in the bateys. As a consequence I was promoted to the team. I have to tell you there was a little fear in accepting the position as everyday someone from that team has been injured.

The day went well and we spent it pulling wire for air-conditioning units. The longest part of the day was spent search for a pipe that terminated either on the first or second floor (which are finished, operational floors with patients). After searching, counting columns, looking at plans, and finally using a tape measure; we found the pipe in the ceiling of the ER on the first floor, right in the one curtained area with a patient.

So, in the spirit of the DR, the workaround was to locate the pipe on the second floor in an unoccupied room and cut out a section there and work from the middle.

Oh and as for the team that always comes home with an injury, the curse is not lifted. As the newest member of the team I was sure I was doomed, but Chris, one of the youth on the trip, decided to help out the team a bit making him the newest member.

As Chris was jumping off the bus at the dormitory with a coke in his hand he hit his tooth on the bottle and took a big chunk of his tooth out. He will survive and both his parents on the trip, so he is well cared for.

Las Colinas

Today I was part of the medical team that put on a clinic as Las Colinas. The village had a relatively nice school and we treated not only the students but also people from the community.

The medical team consisted of general medical, dentistry, optometry, and women's care. The children also received de-worming medicine, which by their expressions tasted quite awful; but it didn't stop them from finding their friends and making sure that they had to go through the same experience.

As I and others from the team did not have medical experience we were charged with moving boxes and entertaining the children as the waits can be quite long. We colored, played with balls, flew kites, and blew bubbles. The boys were very talented kite flyers and were able to get the kite up even though their was very little wind. And all the kids enjoyed chasing and popping bubbles.

On the bus ride back I spoke with Stanley who worked as a translator today. He is a Haitian and came to the DR shortly after the quake last year. He said at first he was able to communicate with his family, but said he hasn't heard from them in about six months and has no idea where and how they are. You could see the pain in his face as he spoke about Haiti and his family. He wants to go back, but with no jobs he thinks it will be quite a long time before this happens. He mentioned that he wanted to study medicine, but qt this point does not know when/if that will happen. I fear that Stanley's story is not unique.

Location:18.467101,-69.273169

Thinking of Haiti

While I am no longer physically in Haiti, I find my mind still is in Haiti and I am already wondering how soon I can get back. It is a strange feeling be called to q place and still not completely know why. I do wish and pray for so much good to come to Haiti and I hope to help in some way the Haitians raise their country to what it can be.

And while I am happy to help in the Dominican Republic I have to admit I just don't feel the same calling to it. That too I can't explain.

For now I will have to satisfy myself with the notion that I will try to get back. And while PaP was a small amount improved over last year it is still full of need and a resilient population that can pull Haiti back to it's position as the "Pearl of the Caribbean".

Location:On the road to Santa Damingo

Leaving Haiti

Technically I guess I am no longer in Haiti, but then technically I don't think I am in the Dominican Republic either. It started out as such a simple plan: take a bus service, much like Greyhound, from Haiti to the DR. We bought tickets for the 9am bus out of Haiti and arrived in plenty of time to get bags checked etc.

The first "surprise" was paying for our tickets was not enough. When we handed our tickets over to the clerk we were told that we would have to pay $30US in taxes per ticket, cash only. Luckily we had enough but no sooner had we paid that then we were told we owed another $50 Haitian for who knows what, but they would also take $4US.

That done and our cash greatly depleted we next attempted to board a bus. After going back and forth for a while attempting to determine which of the six unlabeled large busses we where meant to be on and loading our luggage on the white one, we were directed not onto that bus but on to a nearby minibus. Here we sat.

Eventually at about 12:30 the 9:00am bus actually departed and we were on our way. It was a simple enough ride for a couple of hours until we hit the border. Getting past the Haitian guards was easy enough and we didn't even have to get out of the van.

The DR side was/is a different story. We were first told to get off the bus and stand in line for immigration only to be told when we finally go there that we needed our passport which the bus company took from us when we handed them out tickets at about 8:30 in the morning.

After a little talking we discovered that the bus company was to take care of integration and we only need to sit and wait on the bus. So here we sit. The original predicted time of 30 minutes has passed about 3 or 4 times over and still no word.

So maybe sometime we will get through this limbo of a border and find ourselves in La Romana.

Well, it is now 6pm and we just got our stamped passports back, so in theory it is time to drive on.

Location:Haitian / Dominican Border (4:00pm)

The Curse Returns

Today was the day the whole mission team visited a very poor orphanage (GPS: 18.615754,-72.238716). But before we visited the orphanage we were to stop at the church so that the school children could sing for us and say goodbye. We also left additional supplies with the school for the children to use.

After the children sang we loaded back onto the truck and we headed off to the orphanage. To get there we had to head through the center of PaP, past the actual port, which is a not so safe part of the city (don't worry everyone is fine and nothing "bad" happened).

Anyway, this is when the curse hit. The cause of the curse is under debate as K says it is my fault and I say it is his. The origins of the curse are from last years trip and my theory is that every time I ride in a truck with K it breaks down. Today we got a flat.

We all piled out of the truck and the driver, translators, and M made quick work of replacing the tire win the spare. And off we went.



The orphanage was destitute. There is really no other way to put it. It is housed in a building that really should be condemned base on the damage from the quake. It consists of roughly to buildings and houses about 60 children.

There looks to be separate sleeping quarters for boys and girls. The beds are wood framed without mattresses or pillows and are large enough to sleep about 15 adults in each of the two areas. I suspect the kids double or triple up and some seem to sleep on the floor. There are some blankets sparsely distributed in the rooms and not nearly enough for all. and to add to all this, while there are 3 cement walls and a roof, the 4th wall is open and just covered with a tarp.

Across from the sleeping quarters is the eating area. This consists of a cooking area, large bowls for cooking over an open wood flame; and the tables where the children eat which are a mishmash of metal chairs and makeshift tables. Base on our observations and conversations with the kids it looks like there is not enough room for the children to eat all at once and it may be that not every child gets to eat every day because of lack of food.

The orphanage is run by a pastor with help by others and their work must be unbelievably hard. Truly great people for what they do.

We provided vitamins and medical check ups for the children as well as some toys. Those of us that lack medical talents spent the day playing with the children and showering them with love and affections.



We finally had to leave and the children sang and prayed for us as a way to thank us; not to mentions lots of hugs on the way out.

On the way back to the compound we hit carnival traffic as Haiti celebrates carnival his week. After sitting in the back of the truck for about an hour without moving it was decided that some of us would walk the last bit of the trip with the translators while some who preferred to stay in the truck stayed with other translators and E, a man of Haitian decent now living in the DR who is the goto guy for everything. So we got out of the truck and marched roughly single file through the mean streets or PaP after dark, during carnival.

The walk was fast paces and the translators did a great job of keeping an eye on us as we weaves in and out of PaP traffic and back to the compound where our hosts keep dinner waiting. After arriving the translators got a quick drink of water and head back to the truck, which arrived about 1 hour later. So, in the end, everyone got home safe and sound.

Pale ak Pastè a

As was suspected, the stone that was dumped at the end of the day yesterday had to find it's way to from the front of the church to the back where the building site. It did so through the use of shovel, wheelbarrow, and some muscle.

The work seemed a little slower pace for most of the day as the material was getting to the building site faster than it could be used. As such there were more rest periods. During this time we spoke with the translators and others. It turns out that one of these times was just as the school let out and so we were instantly surrounded by children and they spent some time touch our hair and arms out of curiosity. K and I were both also given a kiss by a very young (kindergartner I think) girl. Not exactly sure why, but it was cute.


After dinner tonight the pastor of the church that runs the school spent some time talking with us about Haiti. Topics were from politics, economics, religion, and Haiti's future. It was a very interesting conversation and some of it was recorded on video which I will share when I can.

Two things from this conversation that stuck out for me were the importance of education as a driver to help Haiti recover and the Pastor's belief that it important for people to come to Haiti and not just send money. I guess three things actually stood out as the Pastor also stated that Haiti's recovery will not come from the government, which is largely corrupt and not likely to be less so after the elections; nor will it come from organizations such as the UN, which are largely seen as ineffective by the Haitians. Instead the Pastor believed that Haiti's recovery will come from God working through Christians and the church as we care for each other and respect each other.

One in Front and Two in Back

We moved more dirt today and I can honestly say that my body is the worse for wear and I am physically exhausted. But, for the most part it was more of the same. Shovel dirt into a wheelbarrow and then haul it out to the street and dump it. The pile is getting quite large out front, but the dirt is basically all removed.

The highlights of the day, for me, where when T and I visited each of the classrooms in the school and took a picture and some video. We were a bit disrupting in all the classrooms but one. In the classroom with the youngest children (there are two kindergarten classes and this was the class with the youngest children) we entered the room with the administrator of the school and the teacher didn't stop as in the other classes. She had about 8 students completely captivated, teaching them how to write numbers and wasn't about to lose their focus because the admin and two people with cameras came in. This was fine with us and we were able to observe how they were being taught which was going throughout the numbers 10 to 20, repeating the phrasing, "How do you write 12, a 1 in front and a 2 in back" in French. It was perfect and quite funny.

The second thing that stood out was our second meeting with the "Easy English Club". This group is really dedicated and they have a really great time. During this meeting, T taught some songs in English, K taught some idioms, and I participated in a role playing exercise.

So while the work is repetitive and my feet are very sore, it was a good day overall. Even if after we thought we had accomplished something by removing all the edit they dumped a truck load of rocks just as the day was ending. Guess what we will be doing tomorrow.

Walkabout

Another construction day for half the team, while the other half put on a medical clinic to serve about 130 people.

At the construction site we move more ruble from the building site to the street to make room for construction. Again, all with shovels and wheelbarrows (brouèt ak pèl in Creole). The twist in the plan today was that we were not allowed to walk back with an empty wheelbarrow. Instead, two truckloads of gravel for concrete were dumped in the front so we had a full load both ways.




We did get to look about Port-au-Prince in two ways today. The first was Ken and I going for a walkabout with the translators. We walk from the construction site through their neighborhood and to the sea. They showed us where they lived and we got a better feel for how they lived.

The second chance to look around was after the workday when the whole group took a drive through the heart of Port-au-Prince. We where able to see a lot of the city including the Presidential Palace, National Cathedral, and the market area.

So, today was busy in several ways and tomorrow looks to be just as busy.

Your Dirt is in My Hole

Today was the first full day of construction for us at the worksite in Haiti. And while construction was taking place, we were in charge or removing ruble that was once a building. This involved loading wheelbarrow after wheelbarrow of ruble and taking it about 100 feet or so and dumping it in the street; where it is supposed to be cleaned up by the city at a later date.

We were working in and around existing classrooms and I can only imagine that the construction effort was a bit of a distraction. Especially as one class was being held under a tarp right next to the construction work. We did, however, get to see lots of little smiling faces in their uniforms which can lift your spirits when you think you have lifted the last pound of dirt you could.

After we had worked for the day, or rather when we had no more energy to work, we attended the "Easy English Club" meeting. This is a club held at the church to help the local high school and above members learn to Speak English. The leader of the group, 20 years old, was quite good and uses the scripture to help teach. Today's verse was John 14:6. It was the highlight of my day to participate in the club which was a little bit bible study, a little bit conversation, and a very funny role play scenario between two members.

And while they day was not all ups, they outweighed the downs and I think we accomplished quite a lot.

Four Sermons, Five Songs, and a Prayer

Ok, maybe it wasn't five sermons, but for those of you who have never attended a church service in this part of the world it is a bit different than what you get on a Sunday morning in New England. It was, however, a wonderful service, full of joy, music, and praise.

This is our first full day in Haiti and there is still so much ahead. The travel to Haiti went extremely well with little to no issues. They opened a few of our bags at customs but with 24 bags they were not about to go through them all. The baggage men waiting outside the airport were a bit aggressive, but a "no, mesi"'and most backed away.

The smells of Haiti hit me much stronger this trip. I don't remember the smells from last year, perhaps because I was so busy taking in the visuals. This year the smells will definitely be a top memory.

After church this morning (9am to about noon) we were able to look at the school construction site where we will be working this week. They have started a little of the work and there is a big pile of rock and dirt out front which we will have to move to the back where construction will take place. Rumor has it that we are meant to crush the rock for concrete.


After church we were treated to a great lunch by the women of church including Shrimp and rice, goat, and veg; followed by a beautiful cake. And while we were waiting for lunch, Beth made some friends.

This afternoon we are doing some sorting of medical supplies for the clinic and cloths. It will be a slow afternoon, which will give us more time to get in the feel of Haiti.

And a bit of a happy surprise at where we are staying. There was a wedding near by yesterday and the newlyweds came into the compound in their finest.

Ticketed

Sitting at Fitchburg State waiting for W to finish with scout merit badge camp for the day and think ing a lot about the mission trip today.

While W was at camp I spent the morning running around to various stores attempting to discover the best way to provide power to my iPhone while in Haiti. We have been told that power will be iffy while in Haiti and I can't remember from last year if that was the case or not. I do remember the fans going off in the dorms at about 11pm when the batteries for the facility ran dry and it was to late to run the generator which can be noisy.

Power is more important to me this year because I plan to take more video and want to be able to update friends and family back home via Facebook. And yes, we have been told that we will have access to wifi, but I am not sure if that is via wifi at the dorm or via a cafe. In either case power will be important.

I continue to find that I miss Haiti and I suppose that sounds strange, but it is how I have felt since leaving it last year. Looking forward is the wrong way to express how I feel; perhaps returning to where I am meant to be to take the next small step to complete a job and help a people that will take many years.

Location:Highland Ave,Fitchburg,United States

Time is Moving Fast

It is getting close to the time that we leave for Haiti and there is still so much to do. As you may know by now, the trip to Haiti was postponed from January to the end of February because of the potential of political unrest and violence in the face of a run off election for the Haitian presidency. The postponement itself may be an issue as the run off was also postponed and may be durning our currently scheduled time in Haiti. Add to this that the past dictator "Baby Doc" and past corrupt president Aristide are both looking to play a yet undefined role in Haiti and there more than enough spark to start a fire.

Even with all that is going on in Haiti I still hope that we move forward with our plans so that the people of Haiti realize that they are not alone, especially when things are not going as smoothly as they might.

You may also be aware that because of the date change I am able to extend my stay on Hispaniola and now plan to spend the first week in Haiti and then join a group of fifty people providing medical aid and food to the Haitian and Dominican sugar cane workers in the Dominican Republic. These people live in poverty and make a few dollars a day cutting sugar cane. To earn those couple of dollars a workers has to cut several tons of cane in a day.

To prepare I still have much to do, including getting any needed shots, malaria medication, and any necessities I will need for the trip. Oh, and also I need more funding :) I am hoping to be able to send more video and picture in real time this year and am working out how best to do that and all suggestions are welcome.

Today we are had a pill packing party for the trip. This is when we get together and count medications from whole sale sized bottles into bags that will last an individual about 14 days. This provide the doctors an easier way to distribute medications in the field.

There are still some open questions as well. Where will we be staying while in Haiti? How will those of us that are continuing on to the DR after Haiti get there? Will the trip happen on schedule? So please pray for us and that it will all work out in the end. These trips do make you realize how much is in God's hands and not our own.