HAITI 2003

2-03

The first orthopaedic team of 2003 consisted of Joe Thompson MD and Jerry Shealy MD both from Charleston, SC. Joe has been faithful in going  with me and providing supplies and equipment for the work.  He keeps the work moving and on a steady course which frees me to be tied up in the operating room. Jerry is a upper extremity specialist and was very productive in dealing with difficult hand and elbow cases that we have been unable to repair. Both Rudolph Richeme MD and Jonas Destine MD were instrumental in making the work possible.  Joe & Jerry stayed the week of February 7th through 15th and I remained for two weeks. Our bible study for this trip was "Knowing Gods Will" which provided interesting evening discussions. 

Dr. Shealy provided much needed upper extremity care and spent time teaching the students and staff about orthopaedic hand care.

4-03

The April 2003 team consisted of Ann & I along with Joe Thompson MD and Bobbie Lackey, MEd, EdD. Bobbie is an associate counselor for the Counseling Center of First Presbyterian Church. Bobbie Had lived in Haiti for 3 years working for Habitat for Humanity in the late 1980s. Joe and Bobbie stayed the week of April 1st to the 8th and Ann & I stayed until the 16th. Our current schedule is to go for 2 weeks each quarter. Our next trip will be August 1st to the 23rd. Our Bible study for the trip was Living In The Spirit by J.I. Packer. In Haiti to discuss spirits, even the Holy Spirit is every day conversation in a culture caught up in Voodoo and spiritism. We pray the Holy Spirit leads us in the work at Lumiere that God will be glorified.

Ann & Bobbie fit right in with fellowship and clinic. Lynne Hutchinson and Sandy Wilkins pitch in and keep the work rolling. If ever the saying behind every good man is a great woman it is certainly true for missionaries on the field.

8-03

The trip to Lumiere in August was hot and busy. The group consisted of Joe Thompson MD, Don Hoshaw, Ann & I. The team Bible study was the book of Philippians. We used the workbook from NavPress as a source for discussion. During the two week period we saw 175 patients in the clinic, preformed 31 surgeries, applied 23 cast and cared for 37 hospital inpatients. 

Don Hoshaw has encouraged us in the Haiti work for several years and had expressed interest in going if there was anything he could help with. Don has a long time hobby of sharpening knives and kitchen utensils. The hospital has an ongoing need to have surgical instruments sharpened and repaired. Don went to a course on applying his skills to surgical tools, purchased the equipment to do the work, and taught one of the Haitian hospital employees to do the work. Now Lenos can help the hospital and has new skills to improve his income. 

Steve and Joline Moore are a new addition to the missionary staff at Bonne Fin. They have been in Haiti seven years as missionaries. Steve is an engineer that will help with much needed repairs to the hospital as well as other construction projects. Joline will manage the guest house and help develop a system to inventory and distribute supplies for the hospital. Both Steve and Joline are experienced in this work and energetic about seeing the gospel advanced in Haiti. They also have experience in hosting work teams and will be a great asset to the ministry.

Dr. Steve Stocks from South Dakota is an internist with an interest in Tropical Medicine. He has worked at Bonne Fin many years bringing medical students to experience patients with these diseases first hand. Chris and Tara Haas are senior medical students traveling with Dr. Stocks. They spent three weeks working with patients, studying and lecturing.

An Added treat on this trip was dinner with Madam Paush. This lady invited us to her home for a taste of real Haitian cooking and hospitality. Many of the people around the hospital as well as staff and patients express their appreciation to us. Those that have so little are wiling to give so much.

10-03

There were two teams in October. The first week included Jerry Shealy, Joe Thompson, and myself who were returning this year, and Dr Gearin Broderick an anesthesiologist from Charleston. Miss Becky Brazzel, a fourth year medical student was with us also. Becky had been to the hospital once the year before and had spent 3 weeks at the hospital before we arrived. The second team consisted of Dr. Chuck Hughes and orthopedist from Charleston, S.C. and Mr. Paul Biggers, a member of the Lumiere Board of Directors. Paul had accompanied us once in the past. Our Bible study centered around the Purpose Driven Life by Rick Warren.

Ann was visiting our new grandson in Germany and had my good camera so the pictures are poor and few in number.

This year has been on in which many changes have taken place at the hospital. In spite of the difficulties the hospital goes through we have seen daily examples of God at work. The letter on the Body of Christ will give you a taste of the work that God is doing. May he receive all the glory.