Trip July-Aug 2012

Hi All,

Well, the conclusion of another enjoyable and successful trip to Haiti has occurred.  I read Erin's excellent blogs, but after having a week to contemplate our trip wanted to add a bit from my experiences in Jacmel.  While the rest of the group was in Carrefour working at the orphanage, LaConcorde, I was in Jacmel working at St Michel Hospital and trying  to get some details on the preparation of the new land site completed.  Our group in this trip consisted of Doug Hart, the Treasurer of LTR, my oldest daughter, Erin Lewis, family friend from DC, Cackie Howe and her 17 year old daughter Maggie and a Spencer high school junior, Jordan Cornwell.  This group did great work while working with the kids and also had a great time in Jacmel visiting the new land site, etc.  The kids immediately fell in love with all of them!

I hoped in this trip to achieve the planning for the well and to get an estimate for the cost of the security fence that was to be placed around the property so we could start building soon.  I also had arranged to work with Dr Oda and Dr Rozan at St Michel Hospital in Jacmel.  I had previously met both of these young orthopedic surgeons and initiated plans to help them out with equipment and instruction in orthopedic surgery.  They both are very dedicated orthopedic surgeons doing very difficult work with little equipment.

Shortly before arriving in Haiti, I had received a call from our neighbor at  the new land site, informing me that there had been some interesting developments resulting from the government's plan to expand the airport.  It seems that as part of an overall plan to improve the tourist capabilities in Jacmel, a 30 million dollar airport expansion was being done and that it could effect our property.  The assistance of our neighbor, Charley Elgin, Director of Pathfinder Missions, was VERY helpful and led to us getting things worked out with the gentleman we bought the land from.  It appears that the only effect of this project is that we will be delayed about 1 month or so in starting the building, but very acceptable alternative plans were arrived at.  Now we only have to wait for the government to tell us EXACTLY where the new border of the airport expansion will be.  An example of the proverbial, 2 steps forward one step back.

Once the land details were worked out, I was able to concentrate on doing some orthopedic work and in trying to help arrange final plans for the group of nursing students from the Denver School of Nursing who were to be traveling  with Barb in September on the next LTR adventure.  Due to the generosity of my patients, partners and Dr Don Berg from Ottumwa, I was able to take a large number of external fixators to the hospital for their use.  While there, these came in very handy in the treatment of several patients.  Jenny Thompson from Zimmer and Spencer Hospital were both very kind in providing other orthopedic equipment which I was able to use while there.  Sara Schmidt, one of the nurses I work with in Spencer, was also a life saver in making cloth sleeves that could be sterilized and used as a mitt to cover the 2 Dewalt drills I purchased to take to St Michel.  It is hard to believe, but the hospital which cares for many orthopedic patients each day not only does not have a C-arm for fluoroscopy, but also has no power drills, no plates/screws, no k-wires, etc.  Now at least they  have the power drills and k-wires.  Next, I will need to round up some more ortho equipment before the next trip.  All in all, the orthopedic work was very rewarding and I look forward to getting back to Jacmel to work with my orthopedic friends.

Plans for the DSN trip in September were finalized with the St Michel Hospital and the Jacmel nursing school very excited about the prospect of an affiliation with DSN.  The nursing program in PAP was also extremely appreciative of this opportunity and I think these 15 nursing students, to include daughter Cara, will have a very rewarding and life changing trip.  All in all, this trip, as usual, was extremely successful and rewarding for all.  Having the opportunity to spend this special time with daughter Erin, was even more meaningful for me.  To see the effect Haiti has on my fellow travelers is always a bonus I look forward to.  I can not imagine how anyone that is lucky enough to meet these amazing people can not be changed by the experience.

Thanks to all that made the trip for your amazing work and for those who are helping us better the life of the children of LaConcorde.  God bless--Rick

July 2012 Haiti Trip: Part 2

Traveled to Jacmel yesterday afternoon. A beautiful drive over 

the mountains and through the country side. Arrived at our hotel 

to meet Dad. He was very happy to see us. Francesse, her 

daughter Francessca, and Frantz's brother, Elize, joined us for 

the 2 hour trip. It is very safe here. We were able to walk around 

and there were many children playing outside. We feasted 

last night on goat and fish. The best fish I have ever had! Seeing 

Doug order and enjoy goat was quite an experience. 

After dinner we were tired from the half day with the children 

and the trip to Jacmel so we hit the sack. After the A/C kicked 

on around 10 the power in the hotel promptly went out. They 

tried hard to start the generator to no avail. Then came the animals: 

mosquitos, cats, dogs, chickens & of course the men working 

on the generator. Not sure anyone got a lot of sleep last night. 

Jordan and I were up laughing for hours because of the situation. 

What an awesome story to take home!

As I wait for the others in our group to wake I am watching 

everyone getting ready for the market. Goods for the market are 

being carried on backs, heads and in wheeled barrels. We are 

going to the open market for breakfast this morning 

then switch to a different hotel closer to the land this evening. 

Everyone I have met has been patient with our language barriers. 

I am having one of the most incredible times I have ever had.

Many many blessings & much love,

Erin Lewis