Mexico Update -- Please Pray!!!

My dad recently returned from his first international missions trip to Mexico. I'm so proud of him! Praise God for allowing him the opportunity to serve and minister to some of the world's most troubled people.


My dad made it home, safe and sound. He got home a little more than a week ago, flying in on Saturday, the day of the North Carolina tornadoes. When I finally got to talk to him, he excitedly shared the fun details of his flights around the storms. So different from the quiet man I remember growing up. I'm just glad he made it home, safe and in good spirits!

They ministered in two areas. In Los Nogales the church is alive and thriving. He shared the passion the people have and how families attend church services and activities together. He described it as vibrant. Listening to him, I couldn't help get excited for God's work being done in that city.

In stark contrast, he shared that the people of Juarez, Mexico -- just across the border from El Paso, Texas -- are suffering. I researched Juarez online. It's called the murder capital of the world. OF THE WORLD! It's not that far away. Mexico. More dangerous than Iraq. Or Libya. Really?

Many of the men are involved in the drug trade. Moms are raising a generation of children without fathers. He shared that one lady is boldly leading Bible studies in her home while her husband is in prison for his involvement in drug trafficking. Other women are developing Christian programs for the children, hoping to give kids hope and a choice for a better future. These ladies want to offer their children, especially their sons, a choice to live for something worthwhile. They're standing up against the drug trade. I struggle to comprehend all this is going on "next door."

Will you join me today in prayer for this troubled region? Will you keep these brave women who are trusting God to change their families' futures in your prayers. With God, all things are possible.

Thank you.

Why?

Starting 2010 fresh, our church participated in a 21-day fast with other churches across the world. Our goal: to focus our hearts on God and His purpose. We prayed for the local church and the Christian church worldwide. We prayed for our families, our work, our ministries. You name it, and we probably prayed for it at some point.

When I laid my own life before God, my prayer was quite simple... Why? Why God have you filled me with this overwhelming passion to write? What's your plan with it?

I have written all my life. When my mom and I fought, because I'm stubborn and prideful (see this post) we fought often, I wrote her long letters of explanation - sometimes with a bit of apology thrown in. I definitely should have apologized more and explained less... but the point is, we worked it out through written word.

Pre-internet (a very long time ago, indeed) I wrote long letters to my grandmothers, sharing stories of college life. When my maternal grandmother's vision began to fade, I painstakingly printed letters to her with bold marker in large print.

During our 21-day fast, Haiti's devastation struck. Our church prayer focus changed. We prayed for Haiti. In no time, my husband was there. Through this little blog, God gave him and his team a voice to share their story. I posted entries, often tearfully, simply amazed that He had orchestrated the trip and the story.

I don't write for my own glory. Read a few posts - my ugly warts are all here! Those warts, though, draw me closer to God. They allow me to share the gift of His wonderful redeeming love. I'm not a singer. I don't play piano. I write.

Dear God, May my words bring you glory. May the lessons from my own life minister to others as You minister to me. I adore You. Thank you for this passion You have given me. Amen

* When you visit, please feel free to share your thoughts. Our faith is strengthened when we are open and honest with each other. If you have a need, ask other readers to pray. When God reminds you of how He has worked in your life, let us all know. Praise Him for all He has done and will continue to do. I am only one voice... I write to God.

Ten Days, One Picture

It's not really possible to sum up ten days of pain, hurt, fatigue, illness, chaos, hope, joy, and love in one picture, but if it could be done, this would be the picture:

Of this husband, Rob wrote, "I have also seen men care for their wives in ways I have never seen before. They are cleaning up after them - blood, stool, urine, vomit. Holdling them, singing to them, encouraging them, being servants and loving their wives in sickness and poorer. It's humbling."

They're Home

YEA!!! They are home! That's probably all I need to say, but...

1. They are healthy.
2. There were no delayed flights (considering weather and late day travel, that's amazing!).
3. They are physically, mentally and emotionally strong (they had a full day in the D. R. to "debrief" among themselves).

God answered every prayer for this trip in amazing ways - from the preparation to go all the way home! Thank You, Lord, for your love and faithfulness! You are AWESOME!!!

Thank you, everyone who joined in prayer for Team #3. We are so thankful to you!

P.S. Photos coming soon. You're gonna fall in love with these kids =-D

I can do all things...

"I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me."

Phil. 4:13 (NKJV)

Two weeks ago today, Rob got the call to go to Haiti. The next four days flew by as we prepared Rob for the trip: clothes, medical supplies, meds, clif bars and beef jerky. Warp speed. It all went so smoothly, you'd think we prepared for weeks.

Early that Sunday morning, I hugged him good-bye at the airport, without shedding a single tear. Completely calm: no butterflies in my stomach, no sweaty palms, no worries. Rob's excitement overflowed. He was ready.

These ten days have been... uneventful - for us. Quite eventful for Rob (as you know if you've been reading the blog). Every morning, Nathan got up for school. I joined him, prayed with him like his dad usually does, and sent him on his way. Ben did his school here at home, if anything, more consistently than usual. Piece o' cake. Ellie was... well, Ellie. Her normal self.

Looking back on our journey - we've never been away from Rob for so long - I find it amazing. When Rob's around, I'm usually ready to pass the parenting baton the instant he walks in the door and take a break. I marvel that I didn't burn out, blow up or run screaming from the house (can you see it - mom flies out front door, hair standing on end, bathrobe flapping behind her, screaming... tee hee).

I'm not sure why I'm so surprised though. God called Rob to Haiti. Of course, He would prepare me as well. He's the ultimate family man! "I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me." That includes, parenting my kids the way God wants when He sends my husband out to be His hands and feet!

Rob has most certainly changed because of this trip. So have I.

Reflections on Haiti - a Devotional

From Darrin:

My devotional this morning comes from Psalm 86. Hear, O Lord, and answer me, for I am your poor and needy. Guard my life, for I am devoted to you. You are my God, save your servant who trusts in you. Have mercy on me, O Lord, for I call to you all day long. Bring joy to your servant, for you, O Lord, I lift up my soul. You are forgiving and good, O Lord, abounding in love to all who call to you. Hear my prayer, O Lord, listen to my cry for mercy. In the day of my trouble I will call to you, for you will answer me.

One of the many memories from our work in Haiti was a young girl that suffered a pelvic fracture during the earthquake. She had surgery to repair the fracture and apparently lost a significant amount of blood. She came back to the hospital and had a hemoglobin of less than 4. She needed a blood transfusion or she would likely die. With the hard work of Bradley Jowers, we were able to get some blood for this patient. We received 4 units of blood and started the transfusion. As the transfusion progressed, the girl came back to life.

At about sunrise the next morning, I thought I heard a radio. It was not a radio, it was the girl that received the blood transfusion. She was singing and reading her Bible. She was close to death at sundown and before sunrise, she was singing her own praise and worship.

I leave Haiti with a heavy heart. Team 4 is in charge now. They will be at Petionville Community Hospital to hold a hand, provide a gentle touch, give a high five to Elephete [Elephete is three and touched everyone's heart], play with Renalda and Renande, and try to provide stability in the middle of chaos.

Haiti Team #3 Wrapping Up

I don't think we'll ever understand how difficult this trip was. Each time I get an update, the team is either up, celebrating some small - or not so small - miracle, or down, because of some horrible thing that happened. I just can't wrap my mind around it. Yet, I know that prayer got them through. They are a close group, and God is with them.

Sheryl Cuppy sent one last note of their final workday in Haiti.

Today was the best yet. The tetanus man made it through the night. He got his meds and is still there. Not conscious yet, but stable by Haitian terms. When I walked into the ICU this morning they were coding a small child, and there were no nurses in ICU. I started helping and we were doing CPR, and we got him intubated and a central line in him...then they wanted to ship him somewhere that could take care of him, and they found a hospital and we had to take him. So the doctors were deciding how to get him there and 3 doctors were going and they needed a nurse, so I got to go. We put the child in a SUV and off we went. We had the driver and father in front seat, me and two doctors in back seat and a PA in the very back holding the huge oxygen tank.
Then we took off on the ride of our lives. Took us 35 mins to get down town Port au Prince to an army tent hospital, and it was crazy. Took us an hour and half to get back. Can you imagine. It was scary. The driver was on his horn and we were going in the left lane into coming traffic, and weaving in and out. We only hit one other car. It made driving in Italy look like nothing. I was holding the baby in my arms and the doctor on my right had his arm around me holding me steady so I could hold the baby steady, and he was bagging the baby with his other hand. I was praying for our safety. After delivering the baby to the army tent we actually got to look at some bulidings and we saw the Palace ...and a lot of homes. Of course I did not have my camera today..I am trying to save my battery for our tour of down town tomorrow, so I did not have it with me today. Would have loved to get a picture of us driving an intubated child in a SUV through Haiti traffic. Incredible.
I am sad that tomorrow is our last work day. I want to stay, but yet I want to come home. I am torn. I know one thing,... I will be back. This has been the best thing I have ever done.. These people are awesome. Don't believe everything they are saying on TV. These people are incredible and I have not felt unsafe once. Of course I am being careful and staying with my group, but even today when we were out in the town and it was just a few of us, we stopped by the palace and were talking with some people. They smile at us and wave. They are so appreciative and they DON'T complain about anything.
Well thats all for today.

And from Rob Dawkins.

I'm feeling much better now than last night. I wanted to let you know sooner, but the hospital computers didn't work and this was the first chance to email with this computer. Hospital toilets also did not work. Too much choas here to call. I slept for 1/2 hour in a chair last night and about 3 hours in the lounge area. Bradley and Darrin kept people away from me and told them to go away when they came to find me. That was awesome!

We went downtown and it was very sad. The amount of destruction and the number of buildings down or near down was staggering. I took and lot of pics and some video. After a while, I had to stop looking and taking pics. I got out my Bible and read from Proverbs. I don't even remember what I read or if it was applicable to my current situation, but the peace of God came over me and since I have felt much better. I'm still heart broken for Haiti and all these people that are injured, but my own sadness seems much better. I slept on the bus back from the city for a while and then fell asleep for 1/2 hour after dinner. I actually feel rested at the moment.

I really miss all of you very much and can't wait to get home. We will likely leave at about 7 am for the DR. We have nothing to do there, so will probably go to the Hard Rock Cafe. Thanks for the love and support. Thank you for encouraging me to come. It has been an incredible experience.

As the team comes home, pray for their transition home. For their adjustment. For their hearts, minds, and souls. And for safe travel. Thank you.

Final Days

Hello everyone,
Please join me in praying for medical team #3 as they finish up their work in Haiti today. Yes, this is their last day to:

• see patients,
• find creative ways to diagnose problems,
• worry about whether the diesel will run out,
• struggle with the English-Creole language barrier,
• work impossibly long hours without breaks,
• sweat under the tarp that provides shade, but stifles the little bit of airflow that's there,
• cry - when they lose one.

It is also their last day to:

• play peek-a-boo with the kids,
• offer help to the Haitian volunteers (who work for food),
• deliver new life into the world despite incredible odds,
• offer a hug of reassurance,
• pray on the spot for their patients,
• encourage a family,
• share God's love as they give all they've got to help.

Pray for them as they come home. For safe travel. For no delays. And for peace in their hearts, minds and souls. They have been where few of us will ever go. We won't understand. But God does.

"Blessed are the merciful, for they will be shown mercy." Matt. 5:7

Quick update from the team

Hey all,
Team #4, missing only five members due to weather, has arrived... or at least that is the rumor the guys heard. :) Still waiting to meet them.

Darrin, Bradley and Rob have the overnight shift tonight with four nurses.

Overall, today has been a little quieter. The team is very tired and looking forward to coming home. [And we are all ready to have you here!!!] There were two healthy babies born today, just normal, old childbirth. Rob said taking care of a healthy newborn was a nice change of pace.

Thank you everyone for the prayers. They keep the team going. God has been so faithful through this trip to provide energy, words of encouragement, strength and wisdom. Three days to go!!!

A message to NCBM #3

NCBM Medical Team #3

Every time I think of you, I give thanks to my God. Whenever I pray, I make my requests for all of you with joy, for you have been my partners in spreading the Good News about Christ from the time you first heard it until now. And I am certain that God, who began the good work within you, will continue his work until it is finally finished on the day when Christ Jesus returns.

So it is right that I should feel as I do about all of you, for you have a special place in my heart... God knows how much I love you and long for you with the tender compassion of Christ Jesus.
I pray that your love will overflow more and more, and that you will keep on growing in knowledge and understanding. For I want you to understand what really matters, so that you may live pure and blameless lives until the day of Christ's return. May you always be filled with the fruit of your salvation-the righteous character produced in your life by Jesus Christ-for this will bring much glory and praise to God. (Phil 1:3-11, NLT)

From the gang in Clayton, NC

From Nathan, the wonderful big brother

From Ellie, just after a face plant in the snow

From Maceon, staying warm in the mountains

From Amanda and Maceon, with love and a hug

(he's so cute he had to have two pictures)

From Ben, sending you thoughts of cooler weather

From Theresa, with love

And from the rest of your family here in the States

(couldn't get pics from everyone).

We all love you. We are so proud of what you are doing there.

And we pray that God's love, power and strength

will flow through you and sustain you these last few days.

Amen

Prayer requests from the medical team.

Hello,

If you're new to this blog, I am sharing the journey of a medical relief team in Haiti (including my dear husband). They send updates and prayer requests that I pass along to the world through this blog. Please, if this post touches your heart, share it with others and ask them to join in prayer for these brave volunteers and the people of Haiti.

Thank you.

Well today was our busiest day yet.

Started off the day with a lady who was 2 months post delivery of child and now she has terrible cardiomyopathy and we had her on Dopamine and Dobutamine and there are no IV pumps or cardiac monitors. Wow! We ended up shipping her out. She had no blood pressure and was dying in front... of my eyes. I sure hope she makes it.

The day deteriorated from there and it was full when I left.

We had another patient that had tetanus. I have always heard of it and given shots to prevent it, but now I have seen it. He may not make it til morning when meds are supposed to arrive from the States to help him. he already stopped breathing once and we got him back by bagging him, and the doctor was ready to intubatebut there is not a ventilator that works. We had a new one shipped in today, but it did not arrive with all the tubes and equipment needed to run it. All I can think of is I don't know how to set up a vent. and the lab does not do ABG's, and we don't have any Resp. Therapist.

I drew lab work today and took it to the poor over worked, over whelmed lab tech and the doctor had ordered a magnesium level and the lab tech said no, no we can not do magnesium. We have very limited test available. We are in a 3rd world hosp that still can only do so much.

Please also lift up this team. The medical needs are overwhelming, yet their heart is to share the love of Jesus when they can. They are exhausted from the hours, the intense environment, the overwhelming needs that they can't possibly meet. Pray that they are able to share Jesus' love and that their hearts remain open to the opportunities God lays before them.

Amen

NCBM #3 Update - Day 6

Team update from Sheryl Cuppy (ER Nurse at Haywood Regional Hospital)

Hello, all is well here. I have so many experiences to share. It is so busy, but I am enjoying it. We are seeing a lot of everything. today we intubated a 1 yr old with pneumonia and shipped him out. Yesterday I had a MVA rollover trauma who was 18 yrs old. He got a chest tube and last night he was shipped to the USS Comfort for ruptured diaphram and a closed head injury.
The x-ray dept is a one room xr machine, and then they have to hand develop the film. NO CT's or anything else. The laboratory is a little room with 2 or 3 microscopes and it is so old fashioned. We have to hand label all the specimens (and that is not many because they can only do certain test) and take them to the lab, and then in a few hours go back to get a hand written report. The lab is being run by the Haitian women who worked here before and today I asked them if they were over whelmed and the answer was a resounding YES. they are not used to this many test. On wednesday we did a cardiac echo with a very old vaginal OB ultrasound. We got to see what we needed to see about the pts heart, and then later some other doctor asked what the pts Ejection Fraction was!!!! I just looked at him. I wanted to say come on buddy, we are in a 3rd world country with machinery that came over on the Mayflower.

Anyway, we are having a good time. We are safe. They take good care of us here. Feeding us well. We are taken by bus right to the front door and picked up and brought back to the Baptist compound. The Haitians ...are very appreciative and very nice. Everyone is so grateful.

My thoughts .....
I think the plane ride home is when the team is going to start reflecting and becoming depressed..... please ask for prayers that they are able to cope with all that they have seen and done and not have been able to do.....

AND I thank God that he put the thought in Brad's mind to take that laptop and for having the friend call him ON THE WAY TO THE AIRPORT to recommend Skype..... and we think we don't see God in action?? Only if we are not paying attention!!

Haiti Update from Rob

We did get 300 gal of feul. We use 200 a day. Keep praying about that one.

I think the horrible living conditions are the main cause of the illnesses. Many are sleeping in the open without even a tent to cover them. They are drinking out of the sewer. One of our translators (he really can't speak English, but gets mad when you don't understand him), has a horrible cough and has been taking all the food he gets here for volunteering, home to his kids.

Last night some of the employees came back in the late evening and stole alot of the water and most of the food that was here for the volunteers. Pray for peace, volunteers and new supplies. We need them and they need us.

Some of the illness is post-op wound infections because the patients are discharged and can only go home to a tent or the ground and they can't keep the area clean. Two patients with post-partum cardiomyopathy - the heart muscle weakens after pregnancy causing all the symptoms of heart failure - are currently here. One is mild and really here due to stomach problems. The other came in last night and is in critical condition. We don't have enough Dopamine to keep her BP up and don't have a ventilator. She's 32 with a 3 month old and should not have lived throught the night - pray for a miracle for her.

Sent out a girl (I assume he means to a better facility, either USS Comfort or to a hospital in the US) this morning that got the blood. She was much better. Your prayers make a difference.

I'm very tired from being up, but really just hurt more than needing to sleep, at least for now.

Thank you all for your continued prayers. Keep praying for these medical professionals, and especially for the people they are trying to help. May Jesus be glorified through their love and compassion.

Another Prayer Update from Haiti - Specific requests

Hello family and friends,

Thank you for the prayers today. Great news! The diesel got to the hospital before they lost power. YEA! The entire facility is run by diesel generator right now, so that diesel was critical! The things we don't ever have to think about here (except as a snow storm approaches...).

Anyway, the team has been getting some sicker patients today. I don't have a lot of details, but please pray. God knows the details!

• They are seeing child after child with a lot of nausea and vomiting. You can imagine, all those people living in high stress conditions in very close quarters. Any illness will spread quickly. Pray against this illness and for the kids - that they do not become dehydrated.
• Chronically ill patients. Medications for the chronically ill are not readily available (Rob mentioned this a couple days ago). Today they treated a diabetic with a blood sugar of 25-30 (often fatal). Tough situation.
• Another patient today with a bad stroke. Here in the U.S., there are meds and protocols to improve the prognosis for people who suffer strokes, but the doctors there don't have access to any of that.
• A 27 year old woman who was in a building when it collapsed. She was rescued late that night, but suffered a crushed pelvis. Surgeons operated on her pelvis yesterday, but she continues to bleed but not sure from where. Her hemoglobin is only 3.4. Normal for women is 12-16.
• The team requests prayer for mental energy. Seeing so many patients, many of whom they can't help the way they would like, is exhausting. The heat, it was 93.4 degrees today, also wears them down.

Praises too:

• Bradley, one of the team members, fell into the roll of communications with other facilities and was able to locate blood for the 27-year old mentioned above. Without the transfusion, she would have died. He also helped get a patient to the USS Comfort.
• And of course, the diesel!!!

Rob has the overnight shift at the hospital tonight. He'll be busy with the patients mentioned above. Please pray for him to have clear thoughts. God is the Great Physician. Pray that He guides all the medical team in these tough conditions. He can heal what we can't. I'll update later if I hear any more news.

Thanks, Bradley, for taking some of your precious free time to share with me... Thanks, Amanda, for sharing him for a few minutes :) Friendship... that's another praise!

Haiti Update - Please Pray

Hey everyone,

Got a quick note from Rob. Please lift their situation up in prayer. If any of the families have more information than what he's provided, please add a comment below. Thanks!

"Hey! I hope you are enjoying the cool snow. Sweating like a pig here. Stroke, fevers, sick everywhere. [**Yesterday, it was mostly just aches and pains, quick in and out. The strokes and fevers are new**]. We have pediatrics now to see the real sick kids. That helps."

Also, the hospital needed a diesel delivery today - not sure if that is resolved or not, so please pray that the fuel arrives if it hasn't already.

So many answered prayers - this group of medical professionals (and handymen) has been truly blessed by God's provision. Please don't stop praying for them or the people of Haiti.

Thank you.

Surprises!

This has been quite a day. I've experienced emotions I'm not really used to. My heart physically hurt this morning for the people of Haiti. It was almost paralyzing, not fear, not hopelessness, just an intense hurt.

I've felt a bit lonely all day. Rob told me last night that he would probably stay over at the hospital tonight, so I wasn't expecting to hear from him. Yet as the day passed, it got bettter. Tonight, as Ben and I were doing homework on the computer, the not-yet-familiar "ding" of skype calling startled me.

Rob isn't working overnight after all, so we got to talk with him. Ellie showed him her new haircut. Ben jabbered like crazy. Just us being us. It was so familiar - almost hard to believe Rob's sweating in the hot, humid Haitian weather far away.

All is well in their little corner of the world - or as good as it can be under the circumstances. The NCBM team feels quite blessed to be sleeping in the missionary home at Global Outreach (men sleep on the porch and women get the bedrooms). Tonight's exciting dinner - Rob laughed as he shared - included rice, macaroni and cheese and spaghetti. They also had salad, mangoes (every meal so far) and pineapple.

Rob recommends that anyone else coming down with NCBM bring a swimsuit, multi-vitamins with iron to give to the Haitians, and candy for the kids and the Haitian hospital workers. He confirmed that the locals really do believe that vitamins have special powers - not sure if they think they're magical or not, but they like them. As to the candy, he said it's great for getting help and building good will. (I know our own kids will work hard for candy! Why would Haitian kids be any different)

His prayer and praise report (with input from Steve and some others):

• a greater willingness among volunteers to work at night.
• continued good health for the team. They are tired, but strong.
• provision - they have rice, oatmeal, cereal and pasta, but the other food provisions need to be delivered (It's somewhere nearby, but hasn't made it to them yet. No worries).

They are thankful for:

• wonderful accommodations, much better than expected.
• a great team.
• the opportunity to meet people's needs and really make a difference.
• the chance to help.

As I listened, it was obvious from the side chatter among them that this team is becoming its own little family. They seem to be enjoying time with one another and the opportunity to serve together. I think I enjoyed listening to that as much as getting to talk with Rob.

For the NCBM #3 families:

• They have decided that Darrin packed everything but the kitchen sink - and they think he may have it stashed somewhere, too! :)
• Steve is the hardest working of them all - he's the handyman and chef (hopefully he can cook) - and from the sounds of it, doesn't get much of a break!
• Hello to Amanda from Bradley who has the overnight shift.
• The medical team is HOT! As in the weather HOT. It is quite humid and there's not much of a breeze. Rob said the way the hospital's built, they often work in courtyards, completely contained but covered with tarps. So they have shade, but no air movement at all.

I don't think I'd go quite so far to say that things are normal down there, but I do think the team has acclimated well. They are learning some of the customs and beliefs of the Haitian people, and they enjoy the opportunity to help. While they are quite tired (Rob's going to bed before 9:00???), they are not miserable or overwhelmed. That is a blessing, for sure!

God is listening to the prayers of people everywhere. Please don't stop praying! I am thankful that God brought me through the pain of this morning to the peace of this evening. He is ever faithful, and I am grateful that He listens.

Keep praying for the people of Haiti and the relief workers. There is so much still to do.

Good night.

If You Say Go

My heart is breaking today for the people of Haiti. Since posting this morning, I really can't get the verbal images out of my head. Little babies with central lines (that's some serious IV work, saved only for the worst situations) and no one to comfort them. Patients sharing up to 10 to a room, and those are the fortunate ones. Others call a tarp their hospital room.

I know that I have nothing physically to offer in Haiti right now, yet my heart simply breaks. Whoever you are, as you read this post, would you ask God what He wants you to do? Not even for Haiti, necessarily, but for hurting people anywhere? Would you ask Him what His plan is for you to touch a life and make a difference in this world? If God says go, will you go?

I am thankful that churches are banding together to serve the people of Haiti. I lift my own pastor in prayer as he seeks to discern God's plan for our church to get involved. I lift NCBM to you, Lord, as they seek more medical professionals to continue to hospital work in Petionville, Haiti. I thank you for all who are already involved.

My prayer today is beyond words. My heart grieves for people I will never know. Please listen to this song. I pray it will become your prayer.

Life in Haiti - Update #2

From Shannon, a member of NCBM Team #3

"Hiya! I am using someone's computer to send you all a quick update. Everyone is well and safe! It's hard to sum everything up, but Haiti has been very challenging and chaotic, but good things are happening too. We are wroking in an area 12 miles from the capital, so the damage is not as bad as what I had seen on the news before I left. The people literally stand beside the streets all day long trying to sell/trade whatever they have in order to survive. They ask for food or money when we drive by, but we can't help them because there would be a riot.

Most of us have been working in a hospital. There are teams from all over the world (Sweden, Italy, Japan, France, Jamaica, Canada and more). It is very unorganized because there are so many different teams and there is so much work to be done that it is difficult for anyone to organize anything.

There are always several hundred people outside the hospital waiting to get in or just hanging out because they have been discharged, but there is nowhere for them to go. We have an urgent care clinic set up outside, but it is still impossible to see all the people that need to be seen.

Yesterday was a pretty tough day for me. Another nurse and I were put in charge of about 30 post-op patients who we knew almost nothing about. So... that was quite a challenge. Almost all of them had at least one limb amputated. There is a wound care team, so we are not responsible for changing the dressings. Antibiotics and pain meds were our main priorities. It was just not a very good day. But despite all the chaos, the patients are usually smiling and grateful for the care. They are mostly lying on little mattresses in the floor or on cots without mattresses and there are anywhere from 3-10 people in a room. There is no good charting system and we have to hunt down any supplies or drugs we need.

Today was at least 10 times better. Some nurses and paramedics came to help on our hall, so it was a lot smoother. I made bags of medicine for the patients and figured out a way to write simple instructions in Creole and used a translator to tell them how to take it. I ran around getting supplies, figured out ways for people to get out of bed and move around after amputations, slipped a bunch of kids some bubble gum, and figured out how to discharge people. A lot of new things for me.

I also helped in triage. Several babies came in, mostly because they were dehydrated. Also they all had scabies because they have been in a tent together. I knew how to treat that one. I dealt a lot with them and found some formula/pedialyte/diapers to send with the mothers.

I helped a doctor sew up a huge laceration on this guy's head.

The last few hours we were there today I was working with this baby who is septic [blood infection] among other problems. He just ahd a central line put into his femoral artery and there was nobody even taking care of him. (Sorry if you guys didn't understand that). It was very hard to leave him, but one of our paramedics was staying all night, so he is going to keep an eye on him. Basically I did a little bit of everything today and I loved it.

Thank you all so much for your prayers and please continue to pray! It's really important! I hope you all are doing well and the KFBCCDC people had better be taking good care of my babies. :)"

After Rob washed and hung his laundry, he also sent an email last night. [SO thankful that Bradley took a computer!]:

"Internet at the hospital is terrible. [That's no surprise! Just happy there is internet at all!] Did a lot of administrative running and because I have the only team of primary care people, I am now also in charge of the night shift. [God is stretching him big time... not his favorite thing, to boss people around.] Had fun with a little boy whose brother is sick. I have pictures. We continue to have food and have not been kicked out of the cafeteria. The Sam's Purse group landed a helicopter here today. [He hoped our pastor was with them.] I told our group we're leaving at 7 even if we leave someone here, so I need to sleep.

They seem joyful in a strange way. Some, like Vlad, it is Jesus. Others I don't know. The way it in the areas we are in is likely how many usually live. It's a hard life. When I see kids begging for food and water it is very hard. I can't imagine my kids having to do that.

We've had a few tough patients, but not too bad. Most just need repairs to wounds or more surgery because of infection. A lot of aches and pains and PTSD. That's hard because we can't do much there with the language gap and lack of meds."

As I read their reports, I wonder how they do it.

• No medical charting means they must rely on oral communication to keep track of meds. It's not like here, where medical charts record every bathroom break, tablet of tylenol given and every bite of food eaten.
• Doctors and nurses are trained to treat the whole patient. I can't imagine the heartbreak as they look into a patient's grief-stricken eyes and knowing all they can do is offer a prayer. The truth is, there is no home to go to when they get better. There are no answers to the questions of "where is my family?"
• The babies. A dear friend of ours had a son born with a fatal heart condition. Yet, his life was so rich. Every moment of his life, his parents and nurses watched over him. He was loved, rocked, sung to, cuddled, and tenderly cared for. Such a blessed life compared to the little one Shannon wrote about.
• And the kids...

Praying today for more strength for the medical teams in Haiti. Praying also for opportunities to share the love of Jesus, through a smile, a reassuring hug, or even through bubble gum. Thank you, God, that this team sees the value in their work and knows they serve for you. Amen

Exhausting. Rewarding.

I haven't heard from Rob today. My guess is he has the overnight shift tonight.

Here are reports from two other team members:

Bradley wrote, "worked a 36 hour shift at community hospital.. I have seen a lot. Smiled a lot and had my heart broken a lot of past 2 days!!! I'm ready to bed!!! round 3 in the morning."

Sheryl wrote, "Started work yesterday. Very busy. Very tired. The work is not unusual. I am in ICU. It is ok. Have sick pts and shipped one today to Detroit. We did do chest tubes and central lines. I am very tired. The people are so very appreciative of our care. I am having the ...time of my life. I have never seen so many guns and I feel safe. The Haitians are very friendly. they blow us kisses and wave as we drive by in the buses. It is very hot here and I have sweated more than I think I ever have in my life. See you soon."

Keep praying, friends. Pray that they will have the strength to "finish strong."

Photos from Haiti

Sometimes a picture is worth 1,000 words.

This link will take you to photos of the NCBM medical teams working in Haiti.

http://www.wral.com/news/national_world/world/haiti/image_gallery/6870399/