At some point tomorrow six of us will be headed to Fort Lauderdale where we'll meet Sunday morning around 10am to begin the security check prior to boarding the 30 passenger Florida Coastal Airways plane for Cap-Haitien, Haiti.
Dorothy reported that "people" spent the day at her house packing 15large boxes with shoes, clothing and medical supplies to be shipped soon. She has secured a ticket for her trip on MFI for Feb. 23rd...can't go before that, "doctor's orders."
I tried no less than 15 times to reach Linda today just in case they need some last minute items and/or funds but no luck getting through. Several of you have called to wish us well and your calls are deeply appreciated.
Looking at my duffel bag through the eyes of a TSA employee one would not be able to guess what plans could evolve other than sinister ones. One 1500watt inverter weighing 16#s, a 12" tile, 3 bundles of 1/8" steel cable, cable clamps, turnbuckles, dry wall screws, washers, an extremely varied selection of medical supplies, CDs to give as gifts, 100 photos of children from our previous trip, balloons for making balloon animals, electrical fixtures, one pair of crocs, jar of peanut butter, granola bars, TP, towel, 2 each of shorts, Ts, shirts and underwear. There's more but you get the idea and it's 2#s under the 50# limit.
There's no way to predict IF or when we'll be able to continue this blog but the effort will be made. Until then, thanks again for making this team feel part of something far greater than the seven individual volunteers.
Staton
Friday, January 29, 2010
Thursday, January 28, 2010
Little news from Haiti team today...
Checked in with Dorothy today for news and we both have heard nothing. A late email yesterday from Linda to DF revealed that Linda spent 4 hours at the VERY congested airport waiting for the MFI flight to come in with funds and supplies for the MN team.
To give you some perspective...the entire airport building is about 60 feet x 80 feet with a low ceiling and no air-conditioning other than a few ceiling and floor fans. The air can get a little close without a crowd. There are vending machines but no restaurant and a gaggle of porters scrambling to tote your luggage to a waiting taxi...usually run by a relative.
I spoke with Allen Rainey from Son Light Power in Cinci today...he's the one who put together our solar package and trained Dave Barrett and myself on New Years weekend. He'll be in Haiti next Wednesday working on six solar projects near PAP...projects that didn't even exist when we saw him. One busy guy. IF we get in trouble he'll be available if we need him, a blessing.
As I write this Dr. Paul Farmer is testifying before a congressional committee on Haiti relief on C-Span. He's spent the last 25 years working in the poorest and most remote areas of Haiti and formed an organization called "Partners in Health". He wrote a book that many Centralites have read that details some of his work there and around the world as his expertise in fund-raising (out of necessity) is only matched by his compassion for those in need of medical aid and financial support.
The book is, "Mountains beyond Mountains" and worth your time.
With one day remaining before our departure from TC, the mental checklist meets up with the physical one so nothing is forgotten, let's hope. Personally it will be good to see how things have changed in 15 months and greet the friends we made then while working side-by-side. One third of our team will be visiting Haiti for the first time, this too will be exciting.
P.S. People have asked about the Soaring Unlimited Website to learn more. As Methodists we strongly support UMCOR (over $6000 two Sundays ago) and Methodist congregations have supported the work of DF for 18 years through Soaring. The website has been updated to include a DONATE button, for earthquake relief, that allows credit card and Pay Pal contributions. You decide.
Staton
To give you some perspective...the entire airport building is about 60 feet x 80 feet with a low ceiling and no air-conditioning other than a few ceiling and floor fans. The air can get a little close without a crowd. There are vending machines but no restaurant and a gaggle of porters scrambling to tote your luggage to a waiting taxi...usually run by a relative.
I spoke with Allen Rainey from Son Light Power in Cinci today...he's the one who put together our solar package and trained Dave Barrett and myself on New Years weekend. He'll be in Haiti next Wednesday working on six solar projects near PAP...projects that didn't even exist when we saw him. One busy guy. IF we get in trouble he'll be available if we need him, a blessing.
As I write this Dr. Paul Farmer is testifying before a congressional committee on Haiti relief on C-Span. He's spent the last 25 years working in the poorest and most remote areas of Haiti and formed an organization called "Partners in Health". He wrote a book that many Centralites have read that details some of his work there and around the world as his expertise in fund-raising (out of necessity) is only matched by his compassion for those in need of medical aid and financial support.
The book is, "Mountains beyond Mountains" and worth your time.
With one day remaining before our departure from TC, the mental checklist meets up with the physical one so nothing is forgotten, let's hope. Personally it will be good to see how things have changed in 15 months and greet the friends we made then while working side-by-side. One third of our team will be visiting Haiti for the first time, this too will be exciting.
P.S. People have asked about the Soaring Unlimited Website to learn more. As Methodists we strongly support UMCOR (over $6000 two Sundays ago) and Methodist congregations have supported the work of DF for 18 years through Soaring. The website has been updated to include a DONATE button, for earthquake relief, that allows credit card and Pay Pal contributions. You decide.
Staton
Wednesday, January 27, 2010
E-mail from Linda today...
Linda visited a cyber cafe downtown CAP as the earthquake disabled the internet service at Dorothy's home. She reported that the solar panels arrived yesterday...good news, they were early and that the airpot is really congested (it was before) with relief workers entering there and busing down to PAP.
They have been working on drilling wells and at the clinic. Weather is good, life is pretty much normal except for the extra people everywhere who are seeking out their relatives for shelter.
Tonight, after the Won. Wed. meal, The Tile Doctor...Hank Visser...gave our team a brief lesson on laying out a room for a quality tile job. He had a few tips for leveling a difficult floor, which we have in places, and how to get the moisture content of the "thinset cement" just right. We learned to work in 24" grids and how to work as a team if space allows several bodies in the same area.
Dorothy reported that her doctor has cleared her to return to Haiti on Feb. 23rd and she'll go there with her daughter. Dorothy feels strong but gets tired pretty fast...needs to work on that.
As the song says..."our bags are packed...we're ready to go" and we are grateful for your genuine support and prayers.
Staton
They have been working on drilling wells and at the clinic. Weather is good, life is pretty much normal except for the extra people everywhere who are seeking out their relatives for shelter.
Tonight, after the Won. Wed. meal, The Tile Doctor...Hank Visser...gave our team a brief lesson on laying out a room for a quality tile job. He had a few tips for leveling a difficult floor, which we have in places, and how to get the moisture content of the "thinset cement" just right. We learned to work in 24" grids and how to work as a team if space allows several bodies in the same area.
Dorothy reported that her doctor has cleared her to return to Haiti on Feb. 23rd and she'll go there with her daughter. Dorothy feels strong but gets tired pretty fast...needs to work on that.
As the song says..."our bags are packed...we're ready to go" and we are grateful for your genuine support and prayers.
Staton
Tuesday, January 26, 2010
Lots of news today...
When calling into Haiti...don't give up. After dozens of attempts to reach Linda from TC, it happened today! Very good to hear her cheerful voice and to share news both directions. She was at the airport waiting for whatever might come in, the ambient noise was fierce at first but she found an isolated spot. Since all calls are cutoff at some unknown length of time...we talked fast and we did get cut off after a generous 5 minutes.
The most interesting and heartening news, was that the tiny "Clinique Medicale Soaring de Pister", that CUMC and so many others have had a hand in, is serving the injured from Port au Prince. The mayor of Pister made arrangements to bus in overflow patients from Cap-Haitien to the remote clinic...CAP is FULL but managing the influx. Our first day at the clinic in '08 found us listening/observing the animated mayor giving a speech on the porch to the workers, Dorothy and the four of us. He promised to grade the road to the clinic..."next week", he was making a promise that even Dorothy thought would never be kept...two months after we left, the road was graded...3' deep trenches were filled in. "It looked like a four-lane highway," said Dorothy who had to admit she had misread the mayor's intentions. Good things happen when you trust in the Lord. The mayor is proud of the clinic and the staff!
I told Linda to expect the 500 feet of romex wire and the solar panels on the Thursday plane from MFI and our reservations were confirmed for Sunday for the six of us on the plane to Haiti. You may recall that Linda and several MN team members were delayed. Linda will obtain 3 batteries, even better quality than we expected, and the steel pole. To keep the pole secure, which will stand 16' tall, in strong winds we decided to attach guy wires/cables to it. Sounds like a small thing but it's not cheap. Jason, the manager (owner?) at Maxbauer Ace Hardware on Front St took a real interest in our project and made sure we had the best of everything. Best of all he ran the $117 tab through his account and Soaring Unlimited's Solar Project paid $17. Praise the Lord...people care and this is just one example, support is everywhere it seems.
There's plenty of food and fruit in CAP, the new well is working, there is more electricity in CAP than Linda has ever experienced but there is no Benadryl (I think we can handle that)and while banks aren't taking checks the normal money changers seem to have ample funds for conversion. Haitian dollars are ONLY used in Haiti.
Three of the MN men may stay over for a few days when we arrive, "It's going to be a little crowded but I think you'll find the men pretty interesting," according to Linda. OK! For some reason there doesn't seem to be very many tools lying around the house...hopefully they have been secured at Edrick's home as we'll need a variety of things that we're not taking...expecting them to be there.
Because there is so much cargo for even the passenger planes...when visitors check in with their luggage they are "sized-up", literally, to see how much they themselves weigh as well as their baggage. For this reason some luggage and cargo is "bumped" to the next flight or the next. We are counting heavily on our checked baggage to make it with us as we are each carrying important components for the jobs at hand...something else to pray about.
Speaking personally and for other team members who have shared with me...the sincere best wishes expressed by friends, families and strangers (see above), proves that the Holy Spirit is alive and working in and around us.
Staton
The most interesting and heartening news, was that the tiny "Clinique Medicale Soaring de Pister", that CUMC and so many others have had a hand in, is serving the injured from Port au Prince. The mayor of Pister made arrangements to bus in overflow patients from Cap-Haitien to the remote clinic...CAP is FULL but managing the influx. Our first day at the clinic in '08 found us listening/observing the animated mayor giving a speech on the porch to the workers, Dorothy and the four of us. He promised to grade the road to the clinic..."next week", he was making a promise that even Dorothy thought would never be kept...two months after we left, the road was graded...3' deep trenches were filled in. "It looked like a four-lane highway," said Dorothy who had to admit she had misread the mayor's intentions. Good things happen when you trust in the Lord. The mayor is proud of the clinic and the staff!
I told Linda to expect the 500 feet of romex wire and the solar panels on the Thursday plane from MFI and our reservations were confirmed for Sunday for the six of us on the plane to Haiti. You may recall that Linda and several MN team members were delayed. Linda will obtain 3 batteries, even better quality than we expected, and the steel pole. To keep the pole secure, which will stand 16' tall, in strong winds we decided to attach guy wires/cables to it. Sounds like a small thing but it's not cheap. Jason, the manager (owner?) at Maxbauer Ace Hardware on Front St took a real interest in our project and made sure we had the best of everything. Best of all he ran the $117 tab through his account and Soaring Unlimited's Solar Project paid $17. Praise the Lord...people care and this is just one example, support is everywhere it seems.
There's plenty of food and fruit in CAP, the new well is working, there is more electricity in CAP than Linda has ever experienced but there is no Benadryl (I think we can handle that)and while banks aren't taking checks the normal money changers seem to have ample funds for conversion. Haitian dollars are ONLY used in Haiti.
Three of the MN men may stay over for a few days when we arrive, "It's going to be a little crowded but I think you'll find the men pretty interesting," according to Linda. OK! For some reason there doesn't seem to be very many tools lying around the house...hopefully they have been secured at Edrick's home as we'll need a variety of things that we're not taking...expecting them to be there.
Because there is so much cargo for even the passenger planes...when visitors check in with their luggage they are "sized-up", literally, to see how much they themselves weigh as well as their baggage. For this reason some luggage and cargo is "bumped" to the next flight or the next. We are counting heavily on our checked baggage to make it with us as we are each carrying important components for the jobs at hand...something else to pray about.
Speaking personally and for other team members who have shared with me...the sincere best wishes expressed by friends, families and strangers (see above), proves that the Holy Spirit is alive and working in and around us.
Staton
Monday, January 25, 2010
Word from Linda and Hanania today...
Dorothy reached Linda this morning speaking for less than the 2 minutes alloted before being cut off. CAP is filling up with folks, clothing is in short supply for the transplants so Dorothy is making a local appeal to help meet that need.
The schools are closed until Feb. 17th so the funds for tuition that DF was so concerned about won't be needed until then. She will return around Feb. 21st and is off pain meds and walking without a cane...great news. The team is well & getting their work done, no problems so far.
Hanania reached me by phone, what a surprise since I'd had no luck getting through to them for 3 days. They found the batteries we need and the 3" x 20' pipe we need for mounting the solar array...a blessing. She confirmed all is well and will check the airport everyday for cargo that we've sent and the funds from MFI. They only fly into CAP on Tue and Thur and sometimes on Saturdays.
Dorothy told me more about Barbara Walker's work at the orphanage in Von Repo, Haiti, where she runs "Ruuska Village"...a village of 15 homes with nannies that care for the children she prepares for adoption. Go to www.reachouttohaiti.com/ or Google "ruuska village Haiti" and you'll see a couple blogs etc. that detail her work.
Dorothy works closely with Barbara and any donations made out to Soaring Unlimited should be marked "Earthquake Relief" and mailed to; Dorothy Frederickson, c/o Soaring Unlimited, Box 61, Holt, MI,48824. You'll receive a 501.3c charity tax receipt. Donations to UMCOR are detailed on a previous posting.
Ruuska Village was 80% damaged, no buildings are safe, 45 children sleep outdoors and it's located 10 miles NE of PAP. 14 of Barbara's children are ready for adoption and 6 have been released! At age 65 she has a fierce determination to take care of the ever-increasing orphan population...that's why Dorothy is aligned with her.
Hanania warned that our luggage might not arrive at the same time we do...Linda's was 4 days late..."so prepare to live in what you bring in the 10# carryon bag."
Staton
The schools are closed until Feb. 17th so the funds for tuition that DF was so concerned about won't be needed until then. She will return around Feb. 21st and is off pain meds and walking without a cane...great news. The team is well & getting their work done, no problems so far.
Hanania reached me by phone, what a surprise since I'd had no luck getting through to them for 3 days. They found the batteries we need and the 3" x 20' pipe we need for mounting the solar array...a blessing. She confirmed all is well and will check the airport everyday for cargo that we've sent and the funds from MFI. They only fly into CAP on Tue and Thur and sometimes on Saturdays.
Dorothy told me more about Barbara Walker's work at the orphanage in Von Repo, Haiti, where she runs "Ruuska Village"...a village of 15 homes with nannies that care for the children she prepares for adoption. Go to www.reachouttohaiti.com/ or Google "ruuska village Haiti" and you'll see a couple blogs etc. that detail her work.
Dorothy works closely with Barbara and any donations made out to Soaring Unlimited should be marked "Earthquake Relief" and mailed to; Dorothy Frederickson, c/o Soaring Unlimited, Box 61, Holt, MI,48824. You'll receive a 501.3c charity tax receipt. Donations to UMCOR are detailed on a previous posting.
Ruuska Village was 80% damaged, no buildings are safe, 45 children sleep outdoors and it's located 10 miles NE of PAP. 14 of Barbara's children are ready for adoption and 6 have been released! At age 65 she has a fierce determination to take care of the ever-increasing orphan population...that's why Dorothy is aligned with her.
Hanania warned that our luggage might not arrive at the same time we do...Linda's was 4 days late..."so prepare to live in what you bring in the 10# carryon bag."
Staton
Sunday, January 24, 2010
Waiting for news is hard...
This weekend has been filled with silence from Linda and the MN team but planning and support from many areas continues locally. The fact that banks are closed has impacted areas of Haiti that were not devasted by the earthquake...transplants from PAP are filtering throughout the nation and as far north as Cap-Hatien.
Considering that on a normal day electricity is sporadic at best, gasoline or diesel costs more than $5 and per capita income is anywhere from $3-800...a cash crunch seems minor...it's not.
Dorothy reminded me today that the tuition, books and other student expenses are due at this time for around 80 students...$150 each.
Email at her house is still not operational and numerous attempts on my part to get through to Linda by phone have been met with busy signals or endless ringing...a sign that the system is overloaded.
At this writing the Minnesota Vikings are struggling in the latter stages of the 2nd half...the MN team members are likely wondering if the NFC championship will be theirs.
Our team is eager to go, we make room daily for additional items that are donated and the solar project gets tweaked here and there as possible shortages are contemplated...such as 12 volt batteries.
Prayers are being offered and answered everyday, yours are deeply appreciated.
Staton
Considering that on a normal day electricity is sporadic at best, gasoline or diesel costs more than $5 and per capita income is anywhere from $3-800...a cash crunch seems minor...it's not.
Dorothy reminded me today that the tuition, books and other student expenses are due at this time for around 80 students...$150 each.
Email at her house is still not operational and numerous attempts on my part to get through to Linda by phone have been met with busy signals or endless ringing...a sign that the system is overloaded.
At this writing the Minnesota Vikings are struggling in the latter stages of the 2nd half...the MN team members are likely wondering if the NFC championship will be theirs.
Our team is eager to go, we make room daily for additional items that are donated and the solar project gets tweaked here and there as possible shortages are contemplated...such as 12 volt batteries.
Prayers are being offered and answered everyday, yours are deeply appreciated.
Staton
Friday, January 22, 2010
Light news day from our team...
Linda checked in today via email..."All is OK, bring cash". Sounds more like a request from a teenager. Dorothy has addressed the short-term needs.
Denise Edick helped with the photo updates on this blog, thanks Denise...it comes naturally to her, not me. We thought the map on the slide show would be informative. CAP is on the ocean to the north.
Missionary Flights International is flying persons and cargo into PAP at no cost...there are restrictions though...if you or someone you know wants to go. Hendrick Motorsports is providing the plane, crew and fuel. The contact number at MFI is 772-462-2395 for teams who wish to be placed on a waiting list for scheduling..both inbound and outbound. Flights leave from Ft. Pierce, FL. What a blessing!Go Nascar!
Staton
Denise Edick helped with the photo updates on this blog, thanks Denise...it comes naturally to her, not me. We thought the map on the slide show would be informative. CAP is on the ocean to the north.
Missionary Flights International is flying persons and cargo into PAP at no cost...there are restrictions though...if you or someone you know wants to go. Hendrick Motorsports is providing the plane, crew and fuel. The contact number at MFI is 772-462-2395 for teams who wish to be placed on a waiting list for scheduling..both inbound and outbound. Flights leave from Ft. Pierce, FL. What a blessing!Go Nascar!
Staton
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