Haiti Arrival

It took about 2 1/2 days, but I'm finally in Haiti. We arrived late this evening, just in time to get tents. Last night, we stayed at a Children of the Nations compound in the Dominican Republic. We were supposed to be at the temporary clinic COTN is working with mid-morning, but our van broke down. We were stranded for about 4 1/2 hours, waiting for parts to repair. Fortunately, we were stranded in an area with lots of shade, and it also was a bathing and cooling natural pool, so it could have been a lot worst...like some experiences I've had in Mexico (if you were there, you remember).

We are now at the Love a Child orphanage where the Harvard Humanitarian Initiative has been operating a temporary clinic since shortly after the earthquake. I've found out that our primary role is to help discharge patients, many of which are being moved to a tent city near by where we will also spend some time. I have not seen many patients yet, many of them have lost arms and legs.

I have a tent. I was able to set up my new REI air mattress and my buddy Brian's sleeping bag to create a nice set-up. I had an MRE for dinner (a military Meal Ready to Eat). Because of the van breakdown, I'd only had some beef jerky and water until then. Our team is 5 medical professionals, a social worker, and me. I'm the only guy, so I hear there's a lot of lifting in my jobs this week! It's extremely hot and humid here, which I have not missed in San Diego. And, the bugs are already loving me!

Thanks for those of you who are praying for me. Please continue to pray for health of all types -- physical, emotional, and spiritual. A few close friends have been texting me encouraging words since my incoming texts are free here, and that has been awesome. Don't know how often I'll have internet, so the blog posts may be sporadic. God Bless, Mark