Finishing Up

After a long day traveling back to Port-au-Prince and Matthew 25 House, we went for lunch at the famous Oloffson Hotel. The electricity failed which meant no fans. The service was very slow. But we enjoyed being together.

At our final evening's time together, Butch commented on what he had heard Delson say (Dr. Delson Merisier, FHM's ob/gyn and medical director in Leogane). Delson was so pleased that we had been able to help so many people. Butch pointed out that helping others is really at the core of who Delson is. Delson had sent family, employees, and patients to the clinic because it was a great opportunity for them to get healthcare at a great low cost, even if that meant he was giving up paying patients.

We leave at 7 am tomorrow for the airport and the trip home. Thanks to those of you who commented. We hope all our readers enjoyed our blogging.

Enjoying the Haitian Seacoast

We're having so much fun - it's cool and we have airconditioning (that we're NOT using) and hot water that everyone says is toooooo hot. Quite a switch. So, we're sending you this picture of what we can see from the balconies of our rooms.

Last Day at the Clinic

"Dr. Jackson" hard at work.





One of our most beautiful patients... a princess indeed!

David taking a break in the pharmacy.

Melissa and Nichole... smiling... almost done with the 570 patients who were seen at the Leogane clinic.

Wisdom, beauty and grace.

Three generations seen at the clinic.

We spent three and a half days treating nearly 600 patients at the Leogane clinic. Men, women, children, young and old all tolerated the lines and the heat. Patients and providers alike went home hot and tired but feeling better for the experience. Our last day was a bit slower in pace allowing laughter, photos, more time with each other and the joy that comes with getting to know each other. Some things are the same in every languag

Melissa and David

Cultural Exchange

Greetings from Haiti!

Since my arrival I have been asked several times if this is what I expected. Well I think it is unfortunately as I expected. It is very hot! There's no beating that. There are mosquitoes everywhere and despite the bug spray I still manage to get bit. Also, I did not think I could understand the languages used, but I have actually been able to communicate with patients pretty well. But all that aside the way of life here is not the picture I had before I set foot on solid ground at the airport. I fully expected to see sadness where there is a bright spirit and laughter. The people here are so alive and yearn to enjoy life just as we do. I tell myself in the morning and on the walk back home that I am lucky in life and that I should be truely grateful for what I have.

Now- as for my cultural experience I have found that there are many differences as far as priority is concerned. I help fit reading glasses at the clinic and see only a fraction of the patients seen each day. On the first day many came in only for glasses that were comfortable and improved their ability to see. However, a young man came in dressed in his Sunday-best looking for glasses that made him look smarter. He definitely needed them, but he wanted to make an impression with his accessory. This small encounter made me think about my priorities. Is my image to the world that important? And how do people perceive me?

Yesterday my interpreter and I had a few minutes between patients and he asked what I do for a living. I told him about being a student and working at a pet store. His head tilted to the side as I explained that in the United States many people have animals such as dogs, cats and hamsters in their homes. He didn't really understand why some one would keep a "tail-less rat" in box at home, let alone buy one.

Front the second story of the clinic (which is actually just an open floor with a roof and no walls) you can see for miles it seems. In the distance there are blue and gray mountains and just at the edge of the gate there is a dirt road where on occasion a motorcycle or taptap will rumble by.

Waiting in line with the heat and heat was difficult for the patients seen throughout the clinic. Here a line of men and women wait to see Nicole- our general physician.

A man waiting outside the clinic with an elderly woman. He say I had a camera and waved.

Working with an interpreter to focus each participant's concerns and find the right physician.
Bon soir! Julia Greer

Little things in Leogane

Sometimes it just takes a little to make a big difference! A little smile and friendliness can make sitting in along line waiting to see the doctor not seem half as bad. A sweet sucker after taking medicine doesn't hurt either. An attempt to speak even a little creole is appreciated and brings some smiles as well.
These are just a few of the things I have noticed in the first couple of days of our Haiti medical mission at Leogane. The energy is high, but not as high as the temperature and humidity! The smiles are all around as people are making their way into the clinic with high expectations of this
American medical team. Hopefully our presence in Leogane will speak a positive message of the importance of this clinic and the work of Family Health Ministries.
But truth be told, we are the ones who are being blessed by the gracious welcome and gentle spirit of the Haitian people. Just maybe, some of that spirit will return with us.

Butch Sherrill

Little things go a long way in Haiti

A little unsure of the camera.

A little medicine - yuck!

A little laughter!

Caring for a mom and child.

These kids have patience!

Older sister helping with her siblings.

Pictures from the First Day in Leogane

Butch working at the lab

Julia fitting a patient with reading glasses

David with Nixon, one of the translators

Melissa and Wally with one of the translators

Jamie in vitals

First Day at Leogane Family Health Ministries Clinic

The first day at the clinic was a success! As we greeted over 100 patients with an enthusiastic "Bon Jour," or as Wally would say, "Bon Jooooooooour," we were touched by the Haitians' gratitude for the services we provided.

To celebrate, remember, and recognize all of our "happy moments" Butch gave each of us a bell to ring while we are "in the moment." Needless to say, there are lots of ringing bells. Confusing at times, because local Haitians ring a bell to signify they want to shine your shoes. Not much shoe shining going on here, just joyous occasions! Yesterday evening as were setting up the for the new clinic, one of our team members accidentally locked herself in the bathroom. (It was not her fault, it was a damaged lock). Once we found out where the yelling was coming from we were able to save her! She made sure to ring her bell once she was free. When arrive to the Guest House in the evening, we all share the happy moments we had that day.

Looking forward to sharing more experiences,

Jamie Bryant

At Matthew 25

Saturday Night Images

Sunday Morning at the Blanchard Church

Fun to have time just to sit and relax

A Saturday afternoon with no obligations - time to read, nap, and chat.

Rooftop View

Relaxing at the soccer game

Matthew 25 is adjacent to a park filled with young men playing soccer. Our rooftop perch is the perfect place to watch

Team arrives safely in Haiti

We've arrived safely at Matthew 25, and sorted the 28 bags of medical supplies already. Except for a delay in Miami (the plane had a bad smell!), our travel was uneventful. We were lucky enough to meet up with Kris McCain, our Ob/Gyn from Nashville, so everyone had a chance to meet her, even though she's arriving on a later plane.

Yes, it's hot and sticky and we had a few drops of rain.

Leaving on Jet Plane

The team leaves bright and early Saturday morning from RDU. By noon (Central Time all year around), we'll be in Haiti.

Packing has begun

With 29 bags, each 50 pounds each, in need of packing, FHM has started in earnest this week to fill bags with medical supplies and other donations such as school supplies.

FHM needs help sorting medicines and filling bags Tuesday through Thursday, September 29-October, 9 am - 5 pm. Any amount of time is welcome! Please call FHM at 919-382-5500 and let us know when you will be coming.

October 3 - 11 Medical Mission Trip to Leogane, Haiti

Early Saturday morning, October 3rd, FHM's fall medical mission team will make its way to Haiti.

On Sunday they will visit FHM's Blanchard Clinic (the building with the stairs) after attending church at the Terre Noire Christian Community church, both in Port-au-Prince. See more pictures and read about FHM's work in Blanchard at http://familyhm.org/Blanchard%20public%20health.htm

Then the group will travel to Leogane, setting up the medical clinic in preparation for Monday morning and the arrival of patients. Read more about FHM's work in Leogane at http://familyhm.org/Health%20Women.htm including pictures of the clinic space.

When the clinic is complete, the team will travel to Fondwa to visit the school that FHM supports and the orphanage where construction is almost complete. See pictures and details of FHM's work there at http://familyhm.org/Health%20Children.htm

Part of the fun will be a picnic at the beach. The group will return to PAP on Saturday for lunch in town. Sunday is a travel day back to RDU.

To view pictures of FHM's last medical mission, in June at the Blanchard Clinic, go to http://familyhm.org/FamilyHealthMinistriesJune2009MedicalMission.html

You can read about the experiences of travelers on recent past mission trips at http://familyhm.org/personalexperiences.htm

If we're lucky, we'll blog while we're in Haiti, so watch this space. Internet access depends on electricity, which is sometimes iffy, so don't worry if you don't hear from us regularly.

Mission Team Returns

FHM's team returned from Haiti on Sunday.

Here they are, on the steps of the Fondwa Guest House, as they get ready to take the open truck back into Port-au-Prince.

Patient using her new reading glasses