NCBM #3 Day One Report

The medical team finished its first day at the hospital.

They start each day with devotional time to stay focused on bringing Christ's love to the people of Haiti. Darrin Adams says, "I ask everyone to take time to appreciate everything in your life. The areas that we pass through on the way to the hospital in Petionville were indescribable. These people basically have nothing and somehow they survive."

The surgeons went to the children's hospital to do repeat surgeries and infected wound care.

The rest of the team worked at Petionville Hospital from 7 a.m. to 6 p.m. The patients there are spread out in areas inside and outside of the hospital. NCBM Team #3 is conducting the initial triage and getting the patients set up based on illness or injury. Two of the team members, Bradley is one of them, are working overnight just to cover hospital needs. The team members will rotate overnight call.

Rob Dawkins shares, "There are lots of amputations here and skin infections. We are dealing with a lot of post traumatic stress and illness from all the inhaled dust. The number of people with amputations is astounding. I don't know what they will do with so many amputees." Rob is the triage department head. Humor still intact he said, "apparently you get a leadership position when you raise your hand around here." He personally asked for prayers for boldness and wisdom.

There are about 50 doctors (may be medical professionals of all types, not sure) working 10-12 hour shifts. They have some interpreters - really people who know some English - helping. Rob reports they need a lot more nurses and paramedics down there. "Lots and lots of nurses."

Rob also reports that they have a decent supply of antibiotics, but they need vitamins. They have "magic powers here." (I have no idea if that was meant as a joke or if he was serious. I think he was serious.)

Additionally, the people released from the hospital really have nowhere to go. They go to tent cities nearby, but the conditions are not good. The entire area smells like burnt plastic stink.

The team is staying in a missionary's personal home. The family obtained an emergency visa for their adopted child (or children) and left Haiti quickly. Each of the team members has a mattress to sleep on - Rob's is on the porch. They have dinner each night prepared by some local women. Tonight was beans and rice, chicken, mangoes, watermelon and coleslaw. Their situation is much better than some other medical relief volunteers who are sleeping on the roof of the hospital!

Praise report:

• The team made it safely to and from the hospital,
• The team has a "whatever it takes" attitude,
• Things are improving medically for the Haitians.

Prayer requests:

• Continued safety during the trip
• Continued improvement in cooperation among teams - so many groups from so many different countries. It takes a humble attitude to serve most effectively.
• Haitian future. There are no meds here for chronic diseases which means the chronically ill will continue to get sicker.

Thank you to everyone who is following our journey and praying for us. Please do not stop. We appreciate every single prayer lifted on our behalf and on behalf of the Haitian people.