Last Hoorah from Haiti!

From the BLOG, Stew & Darryl Go to Haiti
http://www.stewanddarrylgotohaiti.blogspot.com
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3/22 From STEW - good morning baby! We will be off to the airport tomorrow bright and early we had Jony with us tonight and he told us his story and of the loss of his wife. He bore his testimony and sang for us and we were all torn apart. Then we had a band and danced (I needed you to make me look good) and drank coke while the canadians stood there and drank beer. See you in 24 hrs I hope!!!!!!!! I will call you from miami. I love you. oh ya we worked in the pharmacy all day. xoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxxoxoxoxox

3/23 From Katie - Last night was a great end to the week. Jony St Louis came to say goodbye to the team. His new job with World Vision has to do with helping educate and develop income producing jobs for those with disabilities. At the end of our team meeting he told his story of his faith, his family, his wife and the feelings that he has of her continued presence in his life. He sang us a couple songs at our request like he has done on past trips. We then shifted gears and had a going away party with the employees, the Canadian team and danced to a Haitian troubador band. Let's just say that the Canadian team leader said to me with a beer in her hand having watched our team's conga line, swing dancing and a variety of other exuberant musical activities, "it is a good thing you Mormons don't drink!" Although the team is not 100 percent LDS being from Utah County it is the majority and although religious definitely not staid!

7 of us are here at the airport with a couple hours to spare having stood in various lines, gone through three security machines and been patted down twice. The rest of the team has a later departing flight and should be arriving at the airport sometime in the next hour. We are in a nice air conditioned waiting room in the rebuilt/new area of the airport but there are no shops or concessions here like in the old building. The thought of returning to the US has never seemed so good.

I know this trip has been more stressful for everyone as we coped with each others emotions, team sickness, the heat, the odd hours, the injuries and illnesses of the Haitians, and the sad, sad stories that were shared as we tried to lift a little of the burden carried by the people of this nation. This has been a remarkable team in many ways and it has been a privilege to serve with Kathi as the team leaders of such a caring and productive group.

Team coming home tomorrow! Last updates!

From the BLOG, Stew & Darryl Go to Haiti
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3/21 FROM KATHI: I was at the Medi Share Hospital during the rain. It rained all night. There is a little room with a tarp on top and tarps on the sides. This is the ER. The bottom was completely covered with water. It was a few inches deep and they brought in raised pallets to walk on. A minute in the rain meant you looked like you had taken a shower in the rain. We were running from one tent to the next or should I say med/surg to peds. They brought out raised peds and made pathways for us so we weren't wading in the mud and water.

The first night I worked there I gave someone a blanket. It was such a simple act. The next time I was there he came to me and said he didn't know I was coming and wished he had bought me a gift. Instead, he gave me two mangoes, his food that he had brought for him and his sister he was taking care of. Humbling doesn't even tough how it makes me feel.

3/22 FROM KATIE: I can tell we go home tomorrow because several of us have colds, sore throats, tummy rumblings and we are starting to "drag" a bit although everyone seems gung ho about their assignments for today. There are teams going to CDTI, Wings of Hope orphanage, and working in the tent clinic. It was a little sad to sa goodbye to the Miami yesterday as it was a great shift working as a pharmacist and helping out. I took phone photos of some young volunteers and emailed them to their families including one Air Force PVT who comes to rock babies in the NICU.

I went with Amanda this morning to the airport to see her off. It was hard to say good bye to her as the next time I see her she will be happily married and embarked on her next great adventure. It was wonderful to have her with this team. This is the 4th team I have led and there are only a few that have been on all of them and she has been one of the stalwarts. I am so thankful that Garlan "gets it" and was supportive of her serving this close to the wedding.

The airport was a madhouse -- true Haitian chaos and we waited 40 minutes to get close to security and then I left her on her own to get into the building and check in. We got there about 7:05 for her 9:20 flight and I will bet it took the full time to process out.

We have the tent clinic seeing patients and doing therapy, there are 4 team members at CDTI and another group at Wings of Hope orphanage. Two of the SWers are doing therapy with patients referred by the treating RNs and MD. Rachel and Kathleen (RNs) are doing an awesome job of seeing and treating patients along with Rick.
Every member of this years team has worked hard and been faced with the frustration of physical limitations due to the heat and associated illnesses. We have all learned many lessons about what humanitarian service is, what it can do and what it cannot do. We will have many insights to share when we get to that point in our own emotional abilities. Our social work team has done an amazing job teaching us, debriefing with us and being there for us throughout this experience and I am so grateful that they have been willing to share their talents and skills.

3/21 FROM JOYCE: Today we were able to go to church. I didn't understand a word but it was still wonderful to be there and I think that hymns are beautiful in french...We got the pharmacy in order and made a list of things needed here, we made an exchange with CDTI hospital of meds we had a surplus of for meds they needed. It is important to help each other, we are all here for the same reason. I think today might be the hottest since I got here, I am grateful that I am not in a tent and sad that so many people here are......

Stew's Weekend Update

From the BLOG, Stew & Darryl Go to Haiti
http://www.stewanddarrylgotohaiti.blogspot.com
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3/19 I slept around the puddles in the tent this morning but after the night in the hospital you just don't care if you pillow is wet. It was cloudy and cool. We all enjoyed the break.

3/20 Friday was a lost day after the all night-er at Miami hospital. We went shopping and i found you some authentic Haitian kitchen stuff. The jewelry has been very basic and cheap looking, but I am still looking. I think it could to a good tool for fund raising. I hear threw the grape vine that HHH has reached their goal of fund-raising to build the new hospital but who knows what the money will be used for.

Saturday was so awesome we left at 7 to go to Club Indigo. We traveled 30 miles through a shanty town called City of Sole ( like circ de sole) which they have gone around in years past because of the danger. There was an accident but I am getting ahead of my self. We got there at 9 and had cold cokes with ice. They have a large pool with a view of the ocean with blue Caribbean water. There are about 400 rooms and 200 have roofs. We swam and relaxed and look at local art and large conch shells form the ocean. I borrowed snorkeling gear and found my happy place. Darryl had to come get me after I got too far down the beach because he would not be able to save me from there. He is such a mother hen lol. I found some great shells beautiful conch , star fish and sand dollars and others but later returned them to the ocean because someone was living in them. We left at 4. (Much needed emotional and physical break after the week).

We left at 4 of us had to stop on the side of the road because of a case of Montezuma's revenge. While traveling through Sole we hit a pig with our 30 passenger bus and sent him spinning off the side of the road. The whole bus gasped as we watched it slide on his side. We really did not need this (have i told you about the driving there is not enough time or space to describe the madness). Thank God as we all looked out the back window the pig got up and walked away. The pig collision slowed us down enough to stop for the cattle just ahead.

Tomorrow we are going to church and taking inventory of the pharmacy. Darryl is already talking about home but I cannot go there yet in my mind or I will go crazy missing home.

From Darryl

From the BLOG, Stew & Darryl Go to Haiti
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It is now 10:15pm here, we went to Indigo beach. Stew and I have been talking for hours, waiting to get on the computer. We are the last ones to go to bed. We are going to church in the morning. The beach was fabulous today. The road we traveled on, to the beach, was much better this year, it only took two hours. Stew got to see some of the countryside. It was awesome. Stew and I swam, played in the pool, ate good food, etc., etc. Great excape and relaxing.

Friday- After our 12 hour shift at the Miami Hospital, we came home and slept for a few hours, then to the pharmacy here at the clinic. The night at miami hospital was the most amazing, I was the only pharmacist, mixing IV's, (I have not done this for 30 years), taking orders from Haitian nurses, doctors helped me figure out how much morphine to give in an IV over a 12 hour period, etc. I cut my finger on an ampule (I had to break 17 glass ampules to mix in the IV), it bled good, but we kept going. Stew was a good help in the pharmacy. At about 3am, a doctor needed a certain medication for a ruptured ear drum, and by the spirit and looking in the right box I was able to find what he needed. It has been an amazing trip and a bit scarry at times. I have many things to tell you, but for now, I cannot say how much I love America and my family.

Healing Rain is falling down!

From the BLOG, Stew & Darryl Go to Haiti
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Here comes the Rain!

From the BLOG, Stew & Darryl Go to Haiti
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Got a couple of messages from Stew yesterday and several from the team. This team is amazing as they are facing some really tragic things and are working nearly round the clock and now the rain has come. Many of them are so exhausted but their spirits are so good and they always try to find the positive in the emails they have sent. Although they are trying to have some fun while there, the reality of it all is still very real for the team. I admire them all so much.

Here's a couple from Stew:

3/18 7pm - Working at the miami university hospital pharmacy and it's raining hard. Darryl is filling scripts by flash light. We are well stocked. There is a man who will pass away tonight and his wife and family are with him. It brought me to tears tonight when the the people of the hospital sang to him.

3/19 12am - Most are asleep now and and Darryl can finaly sit down for a minute. He was really moving. The blisters bug bites and exhaustion are starting to become serious concerns for many of the group. Emotions are on edge and we have all been through a lot. The dying man is still gasping in the background and others are moaning in pain once in a while yet the Hatian staff are chatting and giggling. What a place and my hats go off to these doctors and nurses. 12hr shifts in mud and cots and doing things they would never be allowed to do in the US.

Message from Kathi:

3/17 - I think this trip has been one of my best. Even though the devastation is everywhere you look I see people working and helping each other. I see kindness and hurt. I talked to a girl who was afraid to touch her healing leg that looked like an artificial knee. I showed her mine and soon I had a crowd looking to see the scars on my leg. They wanted to know if I could bend it and if I could kneel. I told her she needed to do the therapy so she could walk again too. It's hard to complain when you see children with stumps. The good thing is I see families supporting each other with the tragedies.

The work is different this time. We are working around the clock and everyone steps up to take their turn. They will huddle around in a tent and share one meal. Everyone will take a few bites. This is a lesson we could all learn.

The pool is the hit of the day. Don't every complain again when buying a kiddie pool. They're a lot more expensive here! We were able to get 10 people it to play volleyball. Well sort of. Thank you Stew. There's nothing like a little water to get you cooled down.

Message from Joyce:

3/17 - Sad day today. Orphanages always make me a little sad. To much work there and not enough workers. The caregivers are constantly on the move, doing laundry, making meals, picking up, changing diaper after diaper. Usually these workers don't stop and I know they do there best but it is still sad to me when they must tie a child to a chair because they can't watch all of the children at once. Not all the kids are tied to a chair just a handful that were hard to watch. I went around and did the best I could to untie the little ones I could and let them out to walk or play, then I would try to let those out of their wheelchair etc...even if for a few minutes. There was another group of volunteers there with us from another NGO and they had 2 men that were on the group playing like a horse with these little ones. Each man took a turn with 5 or more kids climbing on their back at once. The children were laughing and giggling so hard. One of these men was making everyone laugh because he had 5 children around the age of 6 on his back and his friends were coaching him into trying to continue to do push-ups with the kids on his back. It is sad to see these kids, but for one day we made them laugh, gave them hugs, held them in our arms....I guess it wasn't all sad was it?

Those of you who know Stewart will appreciate this!

From the BLOG, Stew & Darryl Go to Haiti
http://www.stewanddarrylgotohaiti.blogspot.com
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Check out what Stewart rallied everyone to go find! Yup, you guessed it...they found a blow up swimming pool. Leave it to my hubby to always try to have the "fun factor" in everything he does! Looks like he's found his "happy spot!"









I did get to chat with him early this morning and he was at an orphanage with 38 kids. He said 2/3 of them have disabilities. He just loved them. One was sitting on his lap while we were talking. It was really loud in the background and sounded so great to hear kids running around and playing.

He got pretty emotional about being there today. He said he almost felt a little self indulgent about it since he was getting so much from just playing with the babies and there is so much more not so fun work to do.

I told him to enjoy the moment because I'm jealous and that's right where I would want to be.

He wanted to let everyone know who has gave any type of donation or prayers, it IS making a difference for these people!

There are some funny stories about luggage that I need to write about but I will let Stew share that one!

From Joyce

From the BLOG, Stew & Darryl Go to Haiti
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What a long day. I worked at Miami Hospital for 12 hours and ran and ran. I can't believe that I was there 12 hours. I took care of mostly earthquake victims. Several with crushed limbs, one or 2 with amputations and 2 that were paralized. Life for many will never be the same in Haiti. One of my patients has been diagnosed with depression (surprise) and the Dr. ordered Zoloft (a antidepressant) for him. Obviously this Dr. has never been to Haiti before, this young man would never be able to stay on this medication at discharge. He wouldn't be able to find Zoloft here and he wouldn't be able to afford it is he could. Most people here never see a Dr. and if they do it is rare. I worry for the people here that come to depend on the hospital. This hospital is wonderful but it will not be able to maintain the level of volunteers for the length of time that Haiti needs help. Sad.

From Katie

From the BLOG, Stew & Darryl Go to Haiti
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Getting ready for my wonderfully ice cold shower tonight I discovered that two spray downs a day with insect repellent only serves as a basting for the bugs' feast. I am covered with red itchy bug bites from my ankles to mid calves. Thank you Lord for benedryl cream.

From Darryl 3/16

From the BLOG, Stew & Darryl Go to Haiti
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I'm up again and working hard as a pharmacist. Stew helped me alot in the pharmacy today. He is awesome and having a great time. I cannot believe my night at the Miami Hospital. In 3 days, I got about 8 hours of sleep. I worked a 12 hour shift at the hospital, slept 1 hour, then went to the pharmacy in the clinic. I think stew is in his element. He is soooo great with the children, and willing to help whatever he can. All of the nurses and Katie really like him and his help.

The country has tents all over. No bodies, just alot of sorrow of the people. Everyone has been affected somehow by the earthquake. Not too much play, stew is trying to make a portable pool. I don't sleep much,the heat and I have a hard time without you.

I cannot believe how much I miss you. I get soo tired that I sleep any chance I get. There is no diet coke even. Very different. alot of work to be done here. I could work 24 7. They need a pharmacist at the hospital every night and day.

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Stew just called me! YEAH!

From the BLOG, Stew & Darryl Go to Haiti
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So all of a sudden, I walk in the room and my cell phone is vibrating with a strange phone number. I catch it too late and think...shoot...I bet that was Stew. So yup! I get a message (so great to hear his voice) saying to call him back at this number. So I dial the number and it says "the number can't be completed as dialed."

Dang! I start praying, please call me back but in the meantime I remember about the international calling code so dial 011 and then the number and such a huge relief to hear his AMAZING Voice on the other end!

He sounded so good and alive! He was just full of laughter and joy! He said that right now he is helping in the pharmacy in sorting out vitamins. He's had a ton of kids (ages 9-12) helping him out too. He gave them some balls and candy but at one point he had to get a little stern with them and break up a fight. One of the staff members' sons (that is from a different neighborhood) was getting a little picked on by the rest so... papa Stew had to break it up! (Boys will be boys here or in Haiti)!


He said that he has his safari hat on and everyone has been calling him Captain. LOL

He had the most miserable night sleeping last night (for those that you know him and heat--its not his friend). And he's on the bottom of a bunk on a 2nd floor and the power is out now so no a/c so he finally went down stairs to a couch but someone else got smart too.

He says Darryl SNORES LOUD and needs to see a doctor about it! LOL Gotta love brother in laws!

Darryl piped in for a minute and said Stew has taken over his job...they think Stew is the pharmacist! I can't wait to see a picture of him in scrubs!

He is a little lost without me taking care of him though he says as he's lost his Ipod and the head-light I got for him... (I think this is good for him to learn to be responsible FINALLY! NOT)

He's going to try to call back tonight when the kids are home so hopefully he'll have more to tell us!

His spirit is good! He loves Haiti and their people!

Haven't heard from Stew or Darryl today but heard from Katie!

From the BLOG, Stew & Darryl Go to Haiti
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"Katie from Haiti" reports:


I'm sitting on my bed in the heat of the night in the dark with no fan as the electricity has gone out. I got a ton of mosquito btes last night at the field hospital and they are the itchy type! I did get a good d hour sleep after we got home today. Cory is our expert at night shift work and I did pretty well with his coaching and got up feeling pretty good. Went with the night shift back to the field hospital and made sure they got their assignments and were good to go. We noticed some of the kids didn't have blankets so took some of the ones people sent with us over to the peds unit. We are doing a ton of networking for HHH as we get the hospital to refer the patients on discharge to our services. The peds units had amputees, hydocephalic kids, club feet repairs, birth defects and adults had SCI (some of the patients from the USNS Comfort) and earthquake and MVI limb injuries, wounds and amputations. Sandy did a lot of SW with staff today and says we have some fragile ones and others that are stronger than others. We are distributing tents to employees that still don't have them and they are very grateful. We have 3 bags that still have not arrived so gail goes to the airport everyday and getting one or two more each time.we sang happy birthday to Rick Call tonight and had a special dessert the kitchen staff made. The tent clinic was up and fully staffed today, one group went to Notre Maison orphanage, and Linda (PT) went to CTSI to work. Jim (PT) went to Handicap International but was told he wasn't needed there tomorrow. We are needed so many places but it is not always easy to get matched up. Although it is too hot to sleep and the dogs are barking and howling I will close for now and try to get some rest. We are where we are needed and that is a great feeling. Hugs, Katie

Kathi also sent a couple photos yesterday:










I wanted Stew to smuggle me back some babies but after the missionaries were put in jail I thought that wasn't a very good idea ;) but I wish I could just save them all!

~Kimber

First message from Stew!

from the BLOG, Stew & Darryl Go to Haiti
www://stewanddarrylgotohaiti.blogspot.com

I made it to Haiti. we had a good tour of Port au prince this morning in an old van looking for lost luggage and getting volunteers out. Hot humid and dusty and I love it. what a beautiful country the people are all dressed in sunday best , clean and happy and want to talk about it. The people at the compound are awesome... 6 women cooking and 15 or so interpeters drivers and guards with shotguns. little boys playing down the hill by the river. we have been up 24hrs and 2hrs sleep sat. these people are animals we are working 7 to 7am at the miami hospital. I am sorting donations in the pharmacy and helping mix iv shots for about 40 people in the tent. It feels so good to serve these people. I went out to the well to get water for the tent and it turned in to an hour of filling the water bottles of the patients and families. I feel so blessed and so greatful for this opportunity. I wish you were here thank you so much.

First update today from the team!

from the BLOG, Stew & Darryl Go to Haiti
www://stewanddarrylgotohaiti.blogspot.com

FROM KATIE: All 22 members of the team have arrived safely after numerous rebookings, reroutings and even cancelled planes en route. One team member hit 5 different airports yesterday, many of us became familiar with the carpet pattern in airport waiting rooms ( I actually slept nearly 4 hours on one) and the last 4 arrived this morning. We are still missing 6 bags which we suspect are somewhere between San Juan Puerto Rico, JFK and Miami. ONe of the vans just left for the airport to see if they have arrived yet. 5 team members went to Holy Angels today and did assessments, some wound care and first aid. Range of motion on all the kids with disbilities and medical records on all there. Another group attended the LDS ward in Petionville and were surprised that the church has successfully resettled all the campers that were there a month ago, helping them decide where they wanted to go and what they needed to "move" and get situated. It was awesome. I went to the airport and picked up the last team members to arrive and we went to the University of Miami field hospital to find out their needs and at their request will be sending 5 nurses, pharmacist and assistant, and social worker for the night shift (7PM to 7AM). Their "CNO" today is an EMT 1 from Oakland and told me he got the job because he doesn't mind making people mad to get the job done. I'll bet he isn't over 24 years old but doing a good job! Usually we have our schedule set for the week, this year it will be a day to day, if not hour to hour flexible schedule. We know we will have the HHH tent clinic open everyday and the rest is flexible. We can tell we will all be busy and working hard. Found a source for soda pop, cold water showers are availble and so far the electricity is working! Such luxury and you better believe we all appreciate it and know how good we have it. Thank you all for your interest in our team and work here, for your thoughts and prayers and especially for your love and support. bold

FROM SANDY: Darryl, Stewart, Joyce and I arrived today. Was pretty simple to get through customs. katie and Gail picked us up and we went to the Miami hospital to see if they needed some of our staff. Katie, Cory, Joyce, Stewart and Darryl will be working the all night shift tonight, our crew has not had much sleep, they are resting now. We met with the interpretors and we will begin work tomorrow. It is very hot here and no airconditioning. We got our rooms set up and hopefully will get into a good routine. Hated it that we missed church today, those who went really enjoyed it. Lots of rubble but they are cleaning it up.

Thoughts from Julie!

Hi I'm Julie (Darryl's wife). I talked to Darryl a little while ago. They had quite the stressful day just getting to Florida. The simple part of the trip took 16 hours. With delays and a lot of hours in airports. Tomorrow they will be in Haiti.

This is the 4th year for Darryl to go to Haiti with this group. Every year it has been a different adventure. But this year there is a lot of unknown. With the earthquake things have changed so much they are not sure what to expect. It will be so different. I feel so much better having Stewart with them. He will be a great help and knowing there is another man with the group. But at the same time, Now I have two men to worry about. I just pray they are safe.

They are on their way!

from the BLOG, Stew & Darryl Go to Haiti
www://stewanddarrylgotohaiti.blogspot.com

3am came early this morning! I dropped Stew off to meet his traveling buds, Darryl, Sandy and Joyce at 5am. I miss him already... 10 days seemed awfully long as I watched him walk away. But I know this time will go by fast and it will all be worth it!

Stew, myself and the boys had a great time hanging out last night. Stew and I had a hard time getting to sleep last night (lots of excitement and anticipation) so I am sure he is just snoozing away on the plane right now (and they are in First Class their first leg of the trip)...so hopefully, Darryl, Sandy and Joyce can handle his snoring!

This crew travels to Ft. Lauderdale today and will catch the direct flight into Haiti in the morning. Many team members are flying in today. Brooke just sent message that they are on their way. They should all meet up by tomorrow. Thanks to DELTA who CANCELED their flight this week...they are all on separate flights and Stew and Darryl lose a day but it's all good...just feeling grateful that they are still going. (Can you tell I'm still annoyed at DELTA)... LOVE YOU AMERICAN AIRLINES!

Stew and I laughed this morning as he left in his khaki clothes as he said he was going to be introducing himself down there as, John Locke. Personally I think John is a "hottie" but my Stewy is way hotter and he knows I've always had a thing for bald men! So it's all good!













I'm going to try to bribe Julie (Darryl's wife and my sis in law) and her family to post on here too! So hopefully you'll hear from them too!

And if the boys get any type of cell service, you might even see them pop in sometime too...so check back.

And don't forget to become a FAN on FaceBook, www.facebook.com/ucthealinghands

Here are the "early risers!"

24 hours and counting! Heading to Haiti!

from the BLOG, Stew & Darryl Go to Haiti
www://stewanddarrylgotohaiti.blogspot.com

Well, they are off!

It's me, Kimber (Stew's wife). It's 4 am and I'm up...can't sleep. In just 24 hours, I will drop Stew off at the airport.

I'm so excited for Stew and the team. They have worked so hard to prepare for this very day!

Although they were a little panicked this Sunday when Delta canceled their flights (without notifying any of them), we were able to get everyone rescheduled on American and all is well! WE LOVE AMERICAN and Delta not so much right now!

Darryl's cute family has had some challenges this past week and so I just ask prayers to bless and protect his family while he is gone. He had 2 twin grandsons born last week 6 weeks early, Colton and Sawyer and they are in ICU but are rapidly improving now! And his other 5 month old grandbaby, London also went to the hospital with RSV but has now returned home!

I can't wait to see what happens on this trip and I just really ask all the "praying" people to keep them and all their team members in your prayers for the next 10 days and send some good "vibes" their way! And also keep our family too! THANKS! xoxoxo

Hopefully we will get updates and photos from them regularly, so check back here often!

Thanks to all our friends and family following their journey...you have been a huge part of this trip! AND THANKS TO FRIENDS AND FAMILY WHO WILL BE STAYING WITH ME WHILE HE IS GONE! YOU ARE SO AWESOME!!!!

(photos are of 2 of Stew & Darryl's cute team members, Katie and Kathi)

Psalm 121 (New International Version)

¹ I lift up my eyes to the hills—
where does my help come from?

² My help comes from the LORD,
the Maker of heaven and earth.

³ He will not let your foot slip—
he who watches over you will not slumber;

⁴ indeed, he who watches over Israel
will neither slumber nor sleep.

⁵ The LORD watches over you—
the LORD is your shade at your right hand;

⁶ the sun will not harm you by day,
nor the moon by night.

⁷ The LORD will keep you from all harm—
he will watch over your life;

⁸ the LORD will watch over your coming and going
both now and forevermore.

Countdown to Haiti!

In one week from today, Stew and Darryl will step foot on the country of Haiti.

A little background on how this all happened.

Darryl works for IHC and has spent the last few years dedicating his time in support of "Healing
Hands for Haiti."

Darryl and Stew are brother in laws. Darryl is married to Stew's sister Julie. They have 4 beautiful daughters, 1 grand daughter and just this week, 2 brand new baby twin boys!


Stew is married to me (Kimber) and we are blessed with 3 boys.

Early in November, Stew and I had been praying and searching for an charitable organization that we could donate some funds towards. Stew remembered that Darryl had traveled to Haiti for the past few years and so he called him to chat about it. Darryl was so passionate about this organization and how not only did it make a difference for the people of Haiti but also how much it impacted Darryl's life.

As I listened in to their phone conversation, Darryl said to Stew, "you should come, Stew!" And he teased saying, he needed a body guard. I saw Stew's eyes light up and right then and there, I was prompted about Stew going with Darryl. I knew that on his own, Stew would not make that decision because of the time away from the family and all the costs associated, so I just prayed about it and it was so strong that he was suppose to go.

Later that week, I called Darryl (without Stew knowing) and said, "do you think you could get Stew to go with you?" Well, long story short, Darryl and I worked behind the scenes for weeks with late night phone calls, emails, texts to get Stew all registered to go! It was so exciting. We couldn't wait to tell him but wanted to keep it a secret for a while. My boys and myself were able to give Stew his ticket to Haiti at Thanksgiving dinner, accompanied by a Haitian Soup and a Haitian Flag (my mom gave him)...... complete surprise. His facial expression and tears welled up in his eyes was priceless.

This was at Thanksgiving 2009, and little did we know what would come.

The Thursday prior to the Earthquake in Haiti, Stew and I were able to go with Darryl and Julie to dinner and a team meeting with the group they would be traveling with. I instantly fell in love with their group and was so flippin' jealous! They talked of all they would do while there. They spoke of their one good meal at "The Montana" (that as you saw on the news was completely destroyed).


So the day my mom called to say "have you seen the news" and that Haiti was hit with an earthquake, was quite shocking. The pictures and devastation and reality began to roll in and it was just overwhelming.

I couldn't believe I signed Stew up for this! But I know that God must have had a plan because it was laid on Stew and my heart so strong for the people of Haiti and to help this organization long before the earthquake.

That's just a little background from my perspective.

Hopefully I can get Stew and Darryl (and Julie) on here to update as we go!

But check back often (especially as they get ready to go this week) and also check out their teams Fan Page on Facebook! The Healing Hands for Haiti compound was struck hard and if you want to read more about the last few months become a FAN here: www.facebook.com/ucthealinghands

Please keep them in your prayers that they may serve the people of Haiti in the way God would have them and also for their safety for their entire team while they are there!

I know God kicked the door wide open for this opportunity and I can't wait to see what happens because of Stew and Darryl's desire to serve!