2010 Haiti Trip

Post Trip

2010-02-03T15:06:00.001-05:00

I describe this trip as a "life focusing event". Many of us remain committed to following trips and sustained activity. In the good news department, I am told Liz and Larry now have Sterling with them, legally back in Virginia!

I have discoverd a grass roots site which may interest this blog's readers. Visit
http://newhaitiproject.ning.com/

If you, gentle reader, want to become involved, drop me a line at cschone@verizon.net or join the newhaitiproject.

This closes out my activities on this blog. Thank you all for your comments and interest.

Carl

From our Good Dr Friend in Haiti

2010-01-26T06:19:00.001-05:00

Dear Pastor Ralph,

Good night to you! I do hope that you had a good trip to USA, thanks to God.

Well, I wanted to thank you again for all your help to my fellow haitians. You save so many lives!!! We do not know what we would do without your help! We owe you a great debt of gratitude for all you do for our country. I sent an e-mail to Lynnhaven UMC to thank everyone for their contributions. But I do not know if the church received it (my e-mail). If not, please give them my thanks. We love them!!!

The injured People keep coming to Cap and we make our best to keep helping them by feeding them, cover the prescriptions for them, trying to find supplies for surgery for them...etc.

Blessings to all involved!!!

Eugene Maklin MD
P.S I wanted to tell you that we helped the burn baby and his mother to go to USA yesterday so that the baby could receive a better care!

Friday - Reprise of Perspectives

2010-01-22T13:10:00.012-05:00

Pastor Ralph and I sat with Dr. Macklin, our Haitian doctor friend who worked with us at the local hospital. He said, “You know you have saved the lives of hundreds?” “If you had not been here to pay for the drugs this week, we could not have coped. Lives would have been lost, legs would not have been saved, infections would have maimed.” Your love has helped these people, your food and drink for the medical staff has helped sustain them through overwhelming hours of work, especially for the interns who have little reserve for themselves. It was a perspective that had been lost on us as we struggled to move from place to place changing money, buying drugs, delivering food and drink. It is so easy to be overtaken by the detail and miss the design. Ralph and Adrianne will accompany him for this last day. Keith goes back to the house building project way up the hill from one of the church projects.

Mike Hertz’ team arrange for many thousands of meals this week. We are beginning to see refugees from PaP. These add pressure to an already stressed community system. MaryLou was passing out cards to those who said they could not afford meals for themselves or their family. Of course there were many hands reaching for cards. Pastor Ralph noticed a group of five or so men, only one of whom had a card. He asked “Wouldn’t the rest of you like a card?” “No Pastor, they said. We have a little money and we can feed our families tonight.” Not everyone has a hand out for help.

The Church that lies precariously on the precipice created by the USAID excavation project for a water cistern now has fresh paint throughout. The minister remains adamant that his church will continue to function and provide support to his community. He proceeds ahead with a commitment and pride that is characteristic of many in Haiti. They seem to say “I will not be daunted by the challenges around me. I will remain true to myself, focused on what must be done and plan for a better future.” These are the people we seek to resource, for even though their priorities way not be those of our system, they know their countrymen and seek to fill their needs.

Even the clinic sees its trauma patients and experiences Haiti’s drama. I was told of a mother and daughter - apparently from PaP - arrived so dehydrated that the medical staff spent almost two hours trying to get a vein in the mother. She was later transported to the hospital; the daughter remains in local care.

Yesterday we visited another of the many orphanages in the area. Originally established by a particular Christian denomination, it was sustained with outside funds for a year. Then it had to on its own. It is a fine facility, by local standards, but it is no longer supported and struggles to make ends meet, let alone provide top-notch education to the forty or so children. Facilities there were in disrepair, but the children looked well and loved. Pastor Ralph tells me Haiti is where good intentions go to die.

I earlier asked Cheron Hardy “Why so many orphanages?” “First”, she said, “You should understand that being an orphan here places you in a social strata where no one will marry you - unless it is another orphan.” “Orphans are not given the same status as other children. No one wants them. No one will train them unless we do it ourselves or pay others to do it. That is why I concentrate less on accommodation and more on education. I want these children to be more than what they think the can be. We get them the best education I can afford and we study, study, study. I want to invest in and create the best educated Haitian young adults possible so THEY can improve their country.” Cheron seeks to inculcate in them a strong work ethic and a passion for God and their country.

Haiti, if you will forgive me, often presents itself as a well coifed woman. Makeup strategically placed to hide her imperfections, always seeking to turn they best side outward, while deemphasizing the imperfection. Almost everyone you meeting is well dressed and clean. It is unusual to meet any who have my girth, but most appear whole and hearty. But at its best that “Haiti” depends on the accruements of makeup and redirection. Each day is tenuous and fragile. Any disruption of the norm strips the façade of makeup away revealing a torn and battered body, like those we hear experiencing spousal abuse. Tenuous is a word that comes to mind. There are so many who give and minister here, but we contribute to Haiti’s makeup. We must also find the “abuser” and fix that problem. The good news is we see where good men can make a difference. I was braced for overwhelming smells, garbage in the streets, and the like. And I had been told that at times the garbage would be piled so high that only one car could pass at a time in a two lane street. That is not the case in much of Cap Haitien, today. “How did this transformation take place?” I asked of my doctor friend. “We have a good mayor now.” He replies. “I did not vote for him, but I will do so now.”

I am frustrated that it is so hard to push picture through or modest internet connection. I will try again today, but check back after we return (which is tomorrow - Saturday 23 January) and I will try and share some of the visuals we have collected as a group. For now I will concentrate on capturing my thoughts and impressions.

I am not a doctor, but I begin to appreciate frustrations that arise when every stitch of mending pushes problems elsewhere. As we struggle to fix the hemorrhage we can see, and perhaps we do, we need only look elsewhere to discover another crisis.

What can we do? How can Haiti be “fixed”? I am sure smarter men than I grapple with this conundrum. I think Cheron has it partially right. We can’t “graft” a western / American solution here. We must seek to develop the solutions from Haiti, not import them. The various NGOs and charities that invest here spend a tremendous amount of money. They invest even more in pure emotional capital, but often our investment brings “our solution” here. We need a stronger educated class of young adults who know their country and can help with the details of reconstruction. So good education is essential. Another component is to have people develop a pride in self that drives them to make things happen. Cheron calls this developing a work ethic. Yes many here do work, and work hard, but one can also find the hale and hearty lounging at the street corners - playing dominos or cards. How do we harness that? Yes there is little “major” industry to hire, train and sustain - but there could be. Japan imports almost everything to make its Toyota and Honda. They are geographically isolated - yet the have a major, global economic impact.

One thing I know for sure, Haiti is a world problem. Born with one country’s imperialism, broken by others. Embargoed by others, sharing an island continent grudgingly with others. History tells us many have contributed here, few though with a vision for a better Haiti, by Haitians for Haitians.

Friday - Morning Thoughts and Devotional

2010-01-22T11:03:00.001-05:00

We began this day, as we have in the past, with a group devotional. Mike Hess, this week’s Team Leader, worked to put things into context. His reminder that we each have different gifts and an observation that we each came with different expectations and projects strove to put into context that we all work to the same end - improved life and opportunities for our Haitian brothers. He reminded us that no matter how well prepared we are, no matter how much resources we bring, we alone cannot make the “grand change” for Haiti - that power is beyond our individual human personal endeavor. We each “lay a brick”, “plumb a pipe”, “hammer a nail” as a part of the greater body of goodness and light - and this takes Haiti a step, perhaps even two steps forward.

Mike and MaryLu struggle each day to balance “save the person” from the day’s incursions with how do we make sustainable investments that continue to have impact after we leave. There is no single right answer, but often there are some who think there is.

Today we used a Cherokee meditation technique that led us through East, South, West and North compass points - each symbolizing different aspects of our collective work and dreams. The symbolism is not as important, in my mind, as the process. Look west. Examine the new day, the rising sun and its energy and the opportunities laid before us. Think about where our faith was born, how the east pains, how much there is to do. Look south to see the sun’s rays pass along the hills and valleys as people look to their day’s tasks - look south to Haiti and South America to those with need and those with accomplishments. See those who struggle and need our help. Look west. The slips beyond the horizon, giving us time to reflect upon the day and review the day’s work. To have time to rest and regroup, or to have the ultimate rest. Look north - a place often representing the darkness and unknown, the place where faith can reside - or hate and misunderstanding. We all left quietly, after receiving our lesson on the four points and then challenged to do the again thinking our own thoughts and wishes.

Visit to Cheron Hardy

2010-01-22T10:38:00.000-05:00

The Thursday afternoon we spent visiting an orphanage run by Cheron Hardy. Cheron visited Lynehaven UMC and touched our hearts. Some ten years ago she came to Haiti to finish her graduate work as an RN and midwife with expectations of going to Africa. Over the course of two visits her heart was taken by Haiti and she has ministered ever since. Over the course of her first two years or so she worked to get fluency in Creole having her charges help with flash cards and pronunciation. She works hard not to “westernize” the children - some of whom are now in their twenties - so that each will remain cognizant of the Haitian way. While we were there I saw one child heating a charcoal iron to do some pressing. Cheron has the children go to the best schools she can afford - now three different venues - and the older tutor the younger children. Each older child has one or more children to oversee and to tutor. There is also a significant effort to grow as much of the vegetables they can use because Cheron wants them to be as self-sufficient as possible. Cheron is establishing another venue near by with about 6 acres where she is moving the older boys so that she can place the next twenty orphans she gets from PaP.

Tilt-A-World (Thursday)

2010-01-22T10:28:00.000-05:00

Today, the playground team was in full swing. I joined them for the morning. The heat and sun was a physically abusive. Working outside of shade left us older folk moving in slow motion. Thank God for power tools and generators! The first task was to unload the lumber, sort and inventory and then break into two groups. Even the intention was to build two playgrounds; one in the local park and one in Dr Ray’s orphanage, only one will get completed this week. The Tilt-a-World team decided to do the local park. They promise t, to return in a week or so to finish the rest.

The team has some experienced builders who quickly got to task measuring where things were to be placed on the concrete pads the placed early in the week. Saw began to whirl, and hammers pound. Haitian day laborers lifted, carried and held. Soon one large 14 foot tower lifted above the grass. As soon as it was stabilized, my friend Gus had a tarp placed to give some shad for the saw horse work he was to undertake. As I left at noon, a second tower graced the park, major supports were populated with swing hangers, and we were well on our way to having a rock climbing incline completed.

The Tilt-A-World Playground Ministry Saga

2010-01-21T08:22:00.000-05:00

A group of about seven folks are here to install two playgrounds. They buy US hardware and pressure treated lumber and ship to venues all around the world. They follow organizations who are feeding hungry children. They shipped early and the most important ingredient, the lumber, was stored in PaP. So of course, that became the missing ingredient.

The couple who are seeking to adopt had a local man committed to help them. While Liz and Larry fought the bureaucracy, this young man, Archibald, volunteered to go to PaP to retrieve the lumber. This began a saga of trials and challenges. First was getting a truck that could handle the load of the lumber. Then he had to drive to PaP with the truck. That is over a road filled with ruts and wholes. Not only did they have to go via a challenging road, but they had to find fuel. Arriving in PaP, the next challenge was finding the lumber and getting it loaded - a very heavy load. And then the saga began. Days passed. Communication was spotty. Trouble with the truck; a flat tire; two flat tires; tires fixed but no air to inflate; a new truck (requiring unloading and loading the lumber) … Wednesday evening at 7:00 PM the lumber arrived. We will watch a miracle happen today when a local park gets transforms into a park with a playground.

Wednesday Evening Thoughts

2010-01-21T08:20:00.000-05:00

Haiti presents many challenges for those who come with an open heart. Who do you help, and who not? Who gets medicine and who not? Who gets a meal, who gets … These are all hard choices and there is never a right answer. As I visit the clinics, the hospitals, the evacuation relief center in the municipal gymnasium - even the two orphanages and the old folk’s home - everywhere is want and need. Yes, there are some who seek to take advantage; we hear of some officials as well as individuals trying to take advantage. The good thing I see is there are many more Haitians trying to do the right thing. For these people it may not be providing money but assisting others to find resources, connect with genuine needs and protect and shield those with open hearts.

Giving aid can sometime cause chaos - especially when one seeks to feed many in need with less than enough. We have no concept, no benchmark to place into context the driven imperative to feed and care for one’s family in times of need. And for Haiti, the time of need has been for ages.
As I sit in my bed tonight, I hear the same gravelly voice coming from down the hill that I have heard since our arrival. It carries an overtone of almost animal passion and urgency. It comes in the morning and often from early to late evening. Being who I am, and with my type cast of Haiti, I assumed it was a voodoo gathering. Then I hear singing and French Creole reference to God. I am told this is a local prayer meeting seeking intervention on behalf of Haiti.

Each day we grapple with today’s priorities. We ask the Lord to strengthen our hearts, provide us wisdom and resources and help us make an enduring difference. Tomorrow we hope to visit Charoen Hardy, who runs an Orphanage we support.

2010-01-20T20:09:00.000-05:00

Evacuees begin to arrive at the Justinian hospital.

We deliver drugs at the hospital

and we buy food

Trying to Catch Up

2010-01-20T19:09:00.000-05:00

We have had a lot of rolling blackouts and limited internet access (a miracle we have any). Here are some pictures. USAID project to build large cistern for water puts church in peril.

A young child suffers a wound and reset broken bone w/o pain killer

Yesterday Was a Long Day

2010-01-19T14:29:00.000-05:00

After we found our hardware and tin we loaded up and hit the road. I will add pictures after this post. Pictures are on my phone, which I must add separately. Temperatures remain in the 90s with high humidity. Once the sun lifts above the horizon, you can feel it like a physical thing pressing on your skin. Road infrastructure limitations make every trip like an Outback excursion. Just riding and being thrown from side to side beats your spine and twists yor backk

Monday Saga Continues

2010-01-19T09:09:00.002-05:00

Yesterday was a long day. After getting our hardware, tin, and associated components, we began the trip outward. Yesterday was the first business day we experienced in Cap Hatien. It amazes me how much is done my folks with so little. I watched a small framed Haitian load 10 bags of cement mix onto his wheelbarrow. I am told that they weigh either 50 or 75 pounds each! This gentleman squared his shoulders, squatted and lifted the bars and moved down the road. My last realization was to note he had on an old pair of cowboy boots!

We began out “outward bound” trek with a stop at the Bon Air orphanage. We dropped off some folks there and then continued our trek to the clinic, another orphanage, and then our ultimate destination, an old folks home – an almost unheard of concept here.

The road, already a patchwork of pavers, concrete and mud, began to deteriorate the further we got out of the city. We were taking the same road that leads to and from Port au Prince. Ruts two to three feet deep, pot holes five feet wide and filled with water represented unknown dangers. Horns continue to announce “Here I am!” Every intersection requires the same announcement, as there are neither signals nor any apparent “rules of the road”. The road is full of traffic – but most reflect the day-to-day activities of the Haitians. Ad hoc “cabby trucks” load a press of humanity and then move on. Shops seem to congregate by specialty. Electronics, tire repair (a very buzzing business), motor repair, sun dried nuts – each turn opens new experiences.

We continue to move away from the city and into a rural venue. Fields open up, “farmettes” begin to sprout around us. Banana trees, sugar cane, and pig farms begin to dominate; less concrete block structures and more woven bat huts sometimes covered with mud. We ford two streams as our “road” has been washed out. We continue following what appears initially to be a dry stream bed and arrive at the old folk’s home. We have arrived at an oasis! Well constructed concrete structures, painted bright colors, an outside latrine and some farming patches help provide a safe venue to older people, visited and cared for by their family or other families. We deliver our supplies, take our greetings and begin the return trip.

As Monday Comes to a Close

2010-01-18T14:34:00.000-05:00

While my group was on safari, anther began to tackle repairs on a Cap Haitiene house far up the hill. Our “young members” had to carry bag after bag up the ill to the house. You may remember, gentle reader, that these bags are HEAVY. At the end of yesterday, the team looked as I would imagine the pyramid construction team looked.

Pastor Satter spent the day with Doctor Benjamin Maklin at the hospital. Intake has spiked with overflow from Port au Prince. While people can be diagnosed, and have prescriptions, if they don’t have money for the raw materials, there is no treatment. Pastor Satter took a significant port of the Lynehaven UMC donations to pay for essentials – drugs, plaster for breaks, burn cream. Another need that was being ignored was feeding the medical staff. Many have worked non-stop with little or no food or rest. Our little hotel is working overtime to make sandwiches that we take to the sites.

Evenings are a time of fellowship and storytelling. Everyone has a story, and every story speaks to the Haitian character. We are fortunate for the Hertz outreach because they already have well developed relationships with locals here who can make things happen and who appear to be honest. Poverty is pervasive, and of course this leads some to poor choices. But the most prevalent characteristic remains the projection of pride, gentleness, and even a type of nobleness.

Monday: On the Search

2010-01-18T08:48:00.002-05:00

Just a little thing like missing 12 inch bolts sets us on a hunt that
can last for hours! We are also in search of tin for roofing. The
streets remain busy here in Cap Hatien. Issue like gas shortages are
one of the most observables of Port au Prince distruction. PaP was a
major gateway for resources that will likely never return to it's
prior glory.
Our little hotel is an island of safe haven and the nexus of many
independent (uncoordinated) missions. Last night u spoke to a
leabonese imegree and we talked about Haiti. He feels that the major
national aide groups are providing, besides substantive humaniterian
aide, a stabilizing influence that is keeping mass turmoil from
occuring.
Today is my first "business day". In Cap Haytien. A lot of the traffic
is motorcycle. Most telecomunication is via cell. Traffic self-
discipline is good, but horns provide an enduring cacaphony of
strident tones. "Look out for me!". Very few of the streets are paved
well, and those with paving usually have pot-holes. Streets that are
not paved are badly rutted dirt roads that tolerate thecrains poorly.
I told there is a 100% duty on imported vehicles, so when u see a new
SUV I know that represents a significant investment. Haiti is a
"labour rich" country. One sees many vendors streetside and many
"loungers" socializing. There is a sense of positive, calm about
laiced with camaraderie covering quiet grieving. Teenagers seem more
greatly affected. Even though we are far from PaP, many have strong
ties of family and friendship there.
We have split into two search groups with me remaining with the van.
Ithas now been overan hour and the search continues.
Sent from my iPhone

Monday AM 7:30 the doctors deploy

2010-01-18T07:36:00.000-05:00

The team is supporting a hospital taking evacuees from PaP and a
clinic supporting the locals with more routine medical issues. Pastor
Ralph will go with a Haitian doctor to the hospital. I am told they
are dealing with some horrendous injuries. Pray for them all.

Others of us will go to various building projects or on a scavanger
hut to buy needed parts and supplies.

Supplies Bearly Make A Dent

2010-01-17T15:35:00.000-05:00

You can see we barely make a dent on filling the distribution capacity
let alone the need.

Sunday PM

2010-01-17T15:10:00.000-05:00

The Lynnehaven Team (Carl, Pastor Ralph, Kieth, and Adrianne) Mike Hertz' father, Norman spent the afternoon begining work at the Bel Air orphanage. We did some demo and cleaning of sinks, scoped out some structural repair work, and began repairing the roof and prepwork for the electricity generating solar panel. Keith and Rambo began running the plumbing from the water cistern to the roof. We got the piping run, roughed in, with checkvalve installed. We made a list of hardware we will need for the begining of the week and did some planning for the next day. Norman and Carl and two Haitian carpenters plan on going to the community old folks home to put a roof over an outside bathroom.

As I sit here in the lobby of the hotel trying to get internet, I seek stackes of medical supplies ready for distribution. Even though the local Cap Hatien infrastructure remained shaken but not stirred, they constantly express concerns about their fellow countrymen. One wonders what the next step will be for Port au Prince. Residing right on the fault line, and with the total devestation and loss of life, what will be the next step?

We have begun to see the immediate implications of the distruction. Gas prices have doubled. Food is becominf more dear, even for those with money. Yet work, church, and socialization continue at a somewhat normal pace and perspective.

At the hotel we see new guests arriving who are not aligned with our longstanding work here. Many of the new folks are part of the relief effort that is marshalling outside Port au Prince. We hear of commitments from Presdient Obama and from the Carnival line working at making medical supplies. I am seeing folks with Satelite phones who speak French with authority. The UN has a strong, visible presence and I sense they are doind a great job keeping our venue stable.

We have team members who are awaiting lumber to be able to complete their work. We remeber the luxery of Lowes or Home Depot! A lot of time is spent accumilating the piece parts - can you remeber how many times, in the midst of a project, you make a run to the hardware store? Not a luxery here - and of course where you really need electricity, where you are working to improve things, there is none.

Sunday AM

2010-01-17T08:37:00.000-05:00

We remain focused on our local community where we can be effective. Dr
Ray is gerding the clinic for evacuees. He is excited about the drugs
we brought and assures us that they will find their way to PaP. We are
going to church this AM and then onto the Belle Aire orphanage. We
will do church outside because USAID has excavated a huge hole for a
cistern for clean mountain water BUT it is so close to the church
which is uphill, that it was decided to close the church. After church
we will go to work. Keith and John will begin the solar panel
instsall. Carl and Mike's father Norman will do some demo required
beforewe can do plumbing.

Sent from my iPhone

End of the day notes

2010-01-16T19:38:00.000-05:00

A group started with the playground work in the local city park.
Material that was to be prpositioned did not make it out of Port au
Prince and may have been diverted. We will have to see. Another group
visited one of the orphaneges. We will install a solar electric panel
which will drive a water pump to lift spring water to the top of the
tallest building. This will allow showers and toilets. We will also do
some basic plumbing. Church in the AM and then to work. God will
forgive our working.

The doctors are hard at work. Buses from Port au Prince begin arriving
tomorrow. Even though it is only 80 miles away it us about 200 road
miles.

We've had dinner and tomorrow starts early si off to bed.

Sent from my iPhone

Arrived safely at our hotel

2010-01-16T12:42:00.000-05:00

After a hard drive from the airport we made Otto the hotel. We have
Internet but it will be awhile before I have time to say more.

Exuma (sp?)

2010-01-16T09:19:00.000-05:00

We are landing for our pit stop!

Sent from my iPhone

Power

2010-01-16T09:10:00.000-05:00

I am told the whole island was wired by the Chinese. They chose not to
have a single generation site but to overbuild the grid with more than
one venue. That us why there is power where we are headed even though
Port au Prince has none.

Sent from my iPhone

Staying Focused

2010-01-16T09:04:00.000-05:00

We have been told that it is unlikely any of us will be allowed into
Port au Prince. Perhaps some of the doctors and some of our drugs.
While there is great need there, they need folks that are already
"teams". We will stay focused on our year old plan. The drugs and our
labor will be put to good use in Cap Hatien. We will support Dr. Ray's
clinic where most locals get the only medical care in their lives. We
will also do plumbing and building projects. The mood is great. I
have heard that some would be willing to go inland to help, but we
will see. I am queing these vignet thoughts in the out box and hope to
have some conectivity when we refuel. The Haitians we have met already
are a proud group and very willing to work. Pastor Ralph and I will
visit our support orphanage sometime this week. I plan on leaving some
of the donated PCs with Cheron. We are approaching our refueling stop.

Sent from my iPhone

The other owner gives instructions

2010-01-16T08:40:00.000-05:00

Pat, the other owner, gives instructions and oversees the checking of
large carryon bags.

Finally We Load

2010-01-16T08:37:00.000-05:00

We fly a SAAB SF340.

Weighing in

2010-01-16T08:35:00.000-05:00

Checking baggage

2010-01-16T08:34:00.000-05:00

We have a full 30 seater plane. Check in took a lot of time so some of
us rest and others mingle with our new friends on the team. Dr Ray
leads the clinic in Cap Hatien. He has been doing this for "decades".
Other doctors accompany us. One, a PhD from UVa, is a reacher and
retired professor. There is another group who inall "industrial"
strength play ground equipment. They folow organizations who donate
food, and target getting the children. Play grounds rather than
depression. Others are building contractors who will help with
construction and plumbing.

One of the owners checks us in

2010-01-16T08:22:00.000-05:00

Everything was weighed - even us! The plane was over weight by 100
pounds; even after they only filled the plant half full with fuel. We
will make a 30 minute stop mid way to refuel. This is important
because Cap Hatien airport has no fuel.

And we are weighed

2010-01-16T05:47:00.001-05:00

Now I know why it was a light breakfast! We may have trouble with all
our bags and boxes.

And we wait

2010-01-16T05:45:00.001-05:00

At Bimini airlines

2010-01-16T05:34:00.000-05:00

After a breakfast at 4:30 am we crammed 14 people into a small van.
With all our baggage and boxes were are very cramped. Today's begining
is less auspicious. A long line and only one ckeckin line. Spirits are
high as we get to know each other.

We get a break in Exuma

2010-01-16T05:26:00.000-05:00

While the plane gets refuled we all got a chance to stretch our legs
and socialize. The pilot had us change seats so the plane gets
level. We had a very smooth landing there - one of the best in my many
years of travel! After about twenty minutes we take off again. Thr
doctor next to me is reading a book that reprises the unique disases
he is likely to see. Other folks find ways to shunt the loud, dull
drone of the turbojets away from their contiousness by reading,
knitting, or sleeping. We look to a noon arrival and liberation from
the confines of this little plane. The weather has been very
accomodating throughout our travels - great flying weather. We are at
15000 feet with bright sun above and sporadic clouds below.
Occaisonally one can see the wonderful blue Carrabean.

The lounge had two gift shops! At one end the wall was decorated by a
mural depicting the Island. Temp was in the mid-80s. We think of you
back in colder climes.

We arrive at Exuma

2010-01-16T04:39:00.000-05:00

Fwd: Lets go to Cap Haitian

2010-01-15T20:03:00.000-05:00

Sent from my iPhone

Begin forwarded message:

From: MaryLu Hertz <maryluhertz@gmail.com>
Date: January 15, 2010 4:40:28 PM EST
To: "Hertz, Mike" <michael.hertz@progeny.net>
Cc: Carl Schone <cschone@verizon.net>, Pruett <gavsdad24@yahoo.com>, Mike Hoover <mhoover@tmlcopiers.com>, spranzman@aol.com, dshollen@gmail.com, Dan Kelly <pastordan555@yahoo.com>, Lisa Ennis <lae215@hughes.net>, Woodard Barry <barrywoodard@yahoo.com>, Bill Harvey <bill@teamhia.com>, leila leigh <leilaleigh@aclteam.com>, "Youngblut, John" <jyoungblut@progeny.net>, Travis Davison Medley <medley3@yahoo.com>, Kina Simmons <kinasimmons@yahoo.com>, Norman Hertz <nhertz@comiratesting.com>, Jeff Shepley <jshepley@gmail.com>, Katie Klein <kklein@gmail.com>, janie0808@gmail.com, beckerclub@gmail.com, "Liz WarrenLarry&" <larryandliz2@gmail.com>, ralphsatter@msn.com, mlrzmom@hotmail.com, adrianne.heisey@gmail.com, johnnyd527@yahoo.com, mtprince21@yahoo.com
Subject: Lets go to Cap Haitian

All,

I just spoke to Michael. He is in Cap Haitian at the Mont Jolie. Water, food and shelter will be no problem for our trip. He said everything is fine in Cap Haitian and so far it doesn't seem any different from any other trip. That said, I think we are ready for the rest of the team to travel to Haiti tomorrow and Sunday.

Safe travels.

-MaryLu

The Norfolk Team

2010-01-15T20:01:00.001-05:00

A team of guys who help orphages

2010-01-15T20:00:00.001-05:00

They build play areas.

Some team members

2010-01-15T19:59:00.001-05:00

Safe @ Ft Lauderdale

2010-01-15T19:26:00.001-05:00

All baggage retrieved and we are at the hotel. Met some of the other
team members. We fly out at 4:45 Am tomorrow. Meeting at 8 pm and
then to bed!

Arrived at Fort Lauderdale

2010-01-15T17:38:00.001-05:00

Quick safe flight. Now to recover our six bates an boxes.

Sent from my iPhone

Tampa, FL 33614, USA

2010-01-15T16:20:00.001-05:00

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Tampa, FL 33614, USA

At Tampa

2010-01-15T15:57:00.001-05:00

We had a safe departure from Norfolk. We had no hassels and a
wonderful shycap who helped with us with our three bags and three
boxes filled with drugs, surgical gear, bandages, and even IV
saliene. Before we boarded Southwest decided to return the $150
excess bagage fee! We rest here for twenty minutes.

Sent from my iPhone

We are a Go!

2010-01-14T11:26:00.000-05:00

Thursday morning Mike announced:

We have accounted for all of our people in Haiti. Everyone is safe. Emails seem to be trickling in now, which I take as a good sign.

The Saturday flight is 100% on. The docs are going. Cap Haitien seems both stable and has basic infrastructure. There are no changes to the Saturday Itinerary to get into Haiti. Once we are there, we will just have to see what happens as to projects.

I am almost certain the Sunday flight is still on too. I have to double check with the charter flight, but I don’t see any reason why the Saturday flight will go and the Sunday flight not go.
Both flights are going under the “humanitarian mission” designation so that gives us some special ability to fly into regions that are closed to commercial flights.

If you feel like you want to change your mind and not go, please let me know ASAP.
I leave tonight for Haiti via the Dominican republic. IF all goes according to plan, myself and 3 other will be in Cap by 4:00 on Friday.

I’m going to send out two more emails. One for the Saturday Team and one for the Sunday team.

See everyone in Haiti.

Update and a New Barrier

2010-01-14T11:22:00.000-05:00

Mike: "We have gotten more confirmation that damage to Cap Haitien is light and things are moving along ‘OK’ there. However, the issue now is with the flight. The air tower collapsed in Port Au Prince and that tower helped control the Cap Haitien Air space. Our Charter airline will let us know ASAP. We should know by Mid-day tomorrow, if not sooner, if the CAP Haitien airport will be open."

Reacting to the Earthquake News

2010-01-14T11:16:00.000-05:00

The distributed team began to assimilate the reality of the earthquake, but by the 14th most of the team had resolved to continue on, recognizing that our help may be directed away from our anticipated tasks. Mike continues to be the focal point and coordinator. By 1030 on the 13th Mike made the following observation:

"I’ve been in touch with some people in Cap Haitian and they are telling me business is going on as usual. Banks aren’t open because of network issues, but our Hotel and other stores are open. Right now, things seem calm. I’m not sure about the airport yet or the flights from FLL to Haiti. We are still trying to close the loop there.
I want to also let people know that any decision we make will be based on safety first. I’m not going to make any decisions based on financial or other concerns. As of now, all options are still available to us and we aren’t going to make any decision rashly. Once I get a hold of the US Embassy Warden (the person whose job it is to keep Americans safe) and the airline, I’ll let you know. The fact that people are working in CAP is a good sign."

Background Notes

2010-01-14T10:15:00.000-05:00

We began thinking about a trip to Haiti in 2009. My church supports a missionary there who is managing an orphanage in a part of Haiti called Cap Haitien. (See Google Earth, http://earth.google.com/ )
A group from my church (Lynnehaven United Methodist in Virginia Beach, Virginia) and a group from Sudley UMC in Haymarket, VA (30 all total) planned to go to this area and work on various projects. The trip tempo began increasing on January 1st, when our leader, Mike Hertz from Sudley) announced the details of our itinerary and our project details:

Upgrades to a Church
Building a toilet at the Church
Installing Solar panels at the orphanage
Building two play grounds
Basic plumbing installation and repair
Building a small two room structure
Building a school/ repairing a school
Other smaller projects or projects that spring up while we are there.

Planning and coordination picked up and we began thinking about the specifics of what we were to bring and the details of our daily routine. Some prior planning was necessary because each of us had to get some inoculations and medications to protect us from Malaria and other "poor country" diseases. We also had to be concerned about keeping hydrated with fluids that were safe to drink.
January 11th Mike gave us details about our respective flights to Fort Lauderdale, where we were to meet before flying to Haiti on Saturday the 16th.
The January 12th earthquake shook Haiti and Port au Prince was the epicenter.

Mike's take then was:

"The destruction in Port Au Prince will be utter, and the suffering there will be staggering. The construction "standards" they use are so sub-par that you feel as if you could push a building over. I can not imagine what a major earthquake will do to the area. Port Au Prince is a slum in the best conditions, with poor sanitation, infrastructure and emergency care. The people there are in for a very rough next few weeks.While the standard of living is no better in Cap Haitian, it is 80 miles away and from what we can tell was mostly spared. We have not yet accounted for all of our Haitian workers and friends, but with the Cell phone coverage being spotty, this is not unexpected. We have received word from aide workers who support efforts in our neighborhood (literally across the street from the church) that things are "ok."So here's the forward plan:

1) Check that the medical team is still going. If they are not going, we will no go.

2) Check that the hotel is OK, food and water supplies are intact and that the infrastructure is still in place so we can have reasonable assurance that we can still get food and other necessities. If we can't confirm this, we will not go

3)Check that the airport is still open. The one in Port Au Prince is closed, but I expect Cap Haitian to be open. If the airport is closed, we obviously will not go

4) If items 1-3 are good, then we WILL go. The projects might change to reflect new priorities, but if the damage is as light in Cap as it has been described, we will continue on as planned.

5) The truck with the wood for the playgrounds was supposed to leave Port Au Prince this morning at 6:00AM. I have not heard one way or the other is this has happened."

2010 Haiti Trip

Post Trip

From our Good Dr Friend in Haiti

Friday - Reprise of Perspectives

Friday - Morning Thoughts and Devotional

Visit to Cheron Hardy

Tilt-A-World (Thursday)

The Tilt-A-World Playground Ministry Saga

Wednesday Evening Thoughts

More

Trying to Catch Up

Yesterday Was a Long Day

Monday Saga Continues

As Monday Comes to a Close

Monday: On the Search

Monday AM 7:30 the doctors deploy

Supplies Bearly Make A Dent

Sunday PM

Sunday AM

End of the day notes

Arrived safely at our hotel

Exuma (sp?)

Power

Staying Focused

The other owner gives instructions

Finally We Load

Weighing in

Checking baggage

One of the owners checks us in

And we are weighed

And we wait

At Bimini airlines

We get a break in Exuma

We arrive at Exuma

Fwd: Lets go to Cap Haitian

The Norfolk Team

A team of guys who help orphages

Some team members

Safe @ Ft Lauderdale

Arrived at Fort Lauderdale

Tampa, FL 33614, USA

At Tampa

We are a Go!

Update and a New Barrier

Reacting to the Earthquake News

Background Notes