Haiti Trip Recap: November 2016

We got back last week from our most recent trip to Haiti.  It was a whirlwind of a time (still settling back in) because we left 48 hours after our Evening For Cause Event.  The timing was incredible to be in Haiti as we were only an hour north of the hardest hit part of the island.  

Haiti has many challenges ahead with the recent hurricane effects.  Numerous self-sustaining agrarian villages have lost all of their animals and their crops.  A Cholera outbreak is underway.  Violence has deterred many aid workers from coming to help.  Planes, canoes, and even aid supply boats have been robbed and/or mobbed. The military operations that were down there helping have left.  It's extremely challenging to get aid to those who need it the most.  

Our trip was focused around dental (two locations, five treatment days total), but we also brought the largest supply of antibiotics we’ve ever taken internationally.  We’re hoping it is helping for those who are getting them.  Of the 300 patients we cared for this visit, as well as the hundreds from the last trip, 99 percent needed some form of care (urgent and/or important).  In truth, we examined only three patients that did not need treatment.  They simply accept life without dental care and suffer.

It was a great time being back with Respire Haiti and Megan & Josh in Gressier. We helped serve their 509 students who are mostly all rescued Restaveks (child slaves). They also have many special needs children in their school as well. Many of these children desperately needed treatment and it was rewarding to be able to help. It was also a special trip because we were able to see a few kids we helped last time!

The other half of our trip was with Believe In Haiti.  A few exciting things developed while we were with Believe In Haiti.  One big thing is that a local board for Believe in Haiti has been developed.  We now have seven amazing and effective Haitian leaders who share the vision!  We also met a man named Wayne, a Canadian leader for MeraFoods, who employs 3600 Haitian small farmers.  I believe there are opportunities to work together and he was very interested in what our dental team was doing.  Further, we were able to treat many, many more patients, many who had never been to a dentist.  There are healthier smiles in Haiti!  

The momentum from Evening For Cause is immense.  We were able to raise over $10,000 that night, but have had numerous people step up and express interest in supporting these organizations in not just financial ways, but physical ways as well.  There are groups stepping up to serve with our local partners and bringing others along as well.  Others have become regular financial partners too.  The event gave us momentum as we went into our trip in Haiti as well.  

We have scheduled our next trip for April 2017.  We have great ideas of how to make the trips better and more effective.  If you would like to learn more about how you can help us prepare for this trip, I would love to talk with you!

Thank you for your support for Evening For Cause, and for our recent trip to Haiti!

Heading To Haiti AGAIN!

Friends,

We’ve had quite the flurry of a week!  Last Friday was such a special night at the PACE Center!  Evening For Cause was a success and we raised awareness for four main causes doing good here in Denver Metro, as well as around the world.  We not only raised awareness, but we also were able to raise over $10,000 for these causes.  

Not even 48 hours later, a handful of us were heading to DIA to fly to Haiti.  We flew through Miami to Port au Prince with all of our dental gear to go serve and help in Haiti after the hurricane.  

We are visiting our dear friends with Believe in Haiti as well as Respire Haiti to provide dental care.  However, this trip is very different in the wake of Hurricane Matthew.  There are front line disaster responders from all over the world to assist in southwestern Haiti.  Dame Marie and other villages are simply decimated from the storm.  Oddly, many of the other governments helping have pulled out four days ago.

The Haitian government simply cannot handle all of the help that is needed here now.  Many people are dying simply due to lack of aid.  In fact, most of the aid currently is being provided by non-governmental organizations and non profits.  Cholera is the big concern right now as so many are infected with no end in sight.  The disease was not known until it was brought by Nepalese Earthquake relief helpers in 2010, so this is a new disease to deal with.  

We’ve met some neat people including a guy named James from Sydney, Australia.  He gave up six week s of his life to server here after previously offering his help six months ago fighting ISIS in the Middle East.  We’ve also met a guy named Brad from AirTrans who is helping by offering plans to fly people and supplies where needed.  

More coming soon as we head over to serve at Respire Haiti.  Thank you for your prayers and support for Haiti as they recover from this hurricane. 

Follow our bags!  These bags are filled with dental supplies and other medical supplies for our week!

Haiti Trip Wrap Up!

We had such a special time in Haiti last week.  Thank you, thank you for following along with our journey.  Thank you for the prayers, and the support you can give to the Haitians.  There are some cool things happening down there and it was an honor to be part of it for a week.

Day 4 & 5 - Respire Haiti
We wrapped up the last part of our trip in Gressier, where we served alongside Respire Haiti.  If you haven't had a chance to read it yet, go check out Miracle on Voodoo Mountain, written by Megan Bourdreaux.  We worked alongside Megan and their ministry that takes care of 500 students.  Read her story and you'll understand just how important it is to give these children education.  It's not just for the learning, but school helps keep them out of harm's way every day.  The dental need was huge in Gressier, just as it had been in Port au Prince with many of our friends at St. Roch (where we served with Believe in Haiti).

At the end of day 5, we headed back up to St. Roch to see Whitney Henwood with Believe in Haiti again.  We got to see their feeding program.  It's neat to see the food that is packed by groups like "Feed My Starving Children" here in the States actually making it to their final destination.

This trip was such an eye opening experience for everyone on our trip.  I know we'll take these memories with us for the rest of our lives.  Even though we're back, we are constantly reminded of the need and know that there are many here in Parker and Franktown who can help make a difference.  If you want to help, please, please, please check out these links below to see what you can do.  Suggestion, support one child for one year through Believe In Haiti or Respire Haiti!

Thank you again for your support as we made this dental trip to Haiti!

Haiti is only a ONE hour and 36 MINUTE flight from Miami.  That means that you are in a country with over 300,000 CHILD SLAVES but in an hour and a half you are back in a country where we don’t even realize what’s going on with our next door neighbor.

How can YOU help?

• READ Megan's book, Miracle on Voodoo Mountain with an open heart.  Be open to how you can get involved based on what you read.
• School can change a child's life!  You can sponsor a child for school for a year, which helps ensure that they don't get drawn into childhood slavery.  Check out Believe In Haiti (founded by Whitney and Justin Henwood of Parker, Colorado) for a practical way to help.  
• Support Plan International - Haiti financially with their efforts in Haiti.
• Support Megan's ministry:  Respire Haiti

Day Three - Blessings & Joys

Wrapping up clinic day #3 is bittersweet because this was our last day in St. Roch.  Yet, we were able to see and help so many people!  We were able to see all of those who had received tickets, and then also dozens of drop-ins (including 17 orphans at the end of the day).

Today was much calmer as we established three main areas.  The need for dental care here is very high.  Most have never seen a dentist EVER.  As you can guess, there are many dental health issues related to this fact.


We are on the move now.  We packed up our clinic into two SUV's and moved on to the clinic in Gracier, Haiti where we will be serving with Respire Haiti.  This was a 1.5 hour drive and we're really excited to start serving the students in the school here.

Smiles Along The Way!

Here's me with Wayne, an orphan graduate.  This was his first dental visit at age 24 and had deeply infected gums.  He'll be able to keep his teeth for a lot longer now!

Tanya, a three year old from a Haitian mountain village.  She and her younger brother were dropped off at the orphanage two weeks ago.  She was so sweet!

Someone had to help entertain the kiddos while they waited!

It's a team effort!

Normal sightings along the road.

Day 2: Hurdles & Heros

Our second day was extremely busy with people busting at the seams waiting to get dental care.  We feel like we are making a difference and the people are absolutely fantastic.  

Hurdles we're facing:

Long Days:  We've had 11 hour clinic days (LONG!).  Our hands were trembling from overuse.  Dr. Gartz, handling the bulk of the oral surgery cases, had lots of hand cramping.  

Power:  We miraculously found a new gas powered generator to purchase, which has allowed us to have power for our equipment.  It is noisy - as we have it INSIDE the clinic.  However, the noise bothers no one.  Another side effect is the fumes, which are somewhat strong, but with an open-air building with fans, we are surviving.

Presidential Elections:  There is a tension in the air because of the presidential elections this coming Sunday.  There is a great tension in the air.  Our clinic here in St. Roch is 1.5 blocks from demonstrations where military and equipment moved in to keep it calm. 

Need:  The need here is great for dental care.  95% of our patients have never seen a dentist.  There are  so many people wanting to get care that the crowds have even got hostile at one point.  At one point, we had a fist fight that broke out, even bumping Roger during a surgery.  Jeff (my translator) and Hunter helped break it up and on we went.  

Language:  While my French is fluent and I can use it with most people, my Creole is poor.  Jeff has been a huge blessing, translating when necessary.  

Haiti is only a ONE hour and 36 MINUTE flight from Miami.  That means that you are in a country with over 300,000 CHILD SLAVES but in an hour and a half you are back in a country where we don’t even realize what’s going on with our next door neighbor.

How can YOU help?

• READ Megan's book, Miracle on Voodoo Mountain with an open heart.  Be open to how you can get involved based on what you read.
• School can change a child's life!  You can sponsor a child for school for a year, which helps ensure that they don't get drawn into childhood slavery.  Check out Believe In Haiti (founded by Whitney and Justin Henwood of Parker, Colorado) for a practical way to help.  
• Support Plan International - Haiti financially with their efforts in Haiti.
• Support Megan's ministry:  Respire Haiti

Haiti - Day 1 In The Books

Our first full day of dental care was a long one.  We started out by hauling a mobile dental clinic, including a van packed full of equipment.  We even encountered military road blocks full with machine guns due to a presidential election.  We were nice and allowed to pass, but you sure don't see that in Franktown, Colorado everyday.

Every hour presents a situation we didn't anticipate, and yet with a deep breath and quick prayer they seem to be resolved.  It's taken being here physically to be able to comprehend the need here, for health and dental care and beyond.  There is so much need here.

The Haitians are worth the effort.

Bags of coal used in fire pits throughout the city.  Most families use it to cook each night.

Food pick-up for Believe in Haiti's feeding program for the children of St. Roch.  Food comes from organizations like Feed My Starving Children, LDS Foundation, and Nu Skin Corporation.

Haiti is only a ONE hour and 36 MINUTE flight from Miami.  That means that you are in a country with over 300,000 CHILD SLAVES but in an hour and a half you are back in a country where we don’t even realize what’s going on with our next door neighbor.

How can YOU help?

• READ Megan's book, Miracle on Voodoo Mountain with an open heart.  Be open to how you can get involved based on what you read.
• School can change a child's life!  You can sponsor a child for school for a year, which helps ensure that they don't get drawn into childhood slavery.  Check out Believe In Haiti (founded by Whitney and Justin Henwood of Parker, Colorado) for a practical way to help.  
• Support Plan International - Haiti financially with their efforts in Haiti.
• Support Megan's ministry:  Respire Haiti

We made it to Port au Prince!

We made it to Port au Prince!  Snow Storm Vexo couldn't keep us down!  It did delay our flight a little bit and we left Colorado soil around 1:30am Sunday morning.  From plane cancellations and missed connection flights, somehow it al worked out!

Downtown Port au Prince traffic

En route to St. Roch Village

Walking the village.

We are with "Believe in Haiti" and are set up with our dental clinic in downtown Port au Prince, Haiti.  We landed Sunday and then drove up in the nearby mountains to see their feeding program.  They feed 210 children meals several times a week.  This allows them to attend school and avoid child slavery.  We also visited the property that the organization wants to purchase for future services to the children.  Some of these kids will be ones we see this week at our dental clinic!

In St. Roch Village

Hunter, our new dental helper, with new friends!

Haiti is only a ONE hour and 36 MINUTE flight from Miami.  That means that you are in a country with over 300,000 CHILD SLAVES but in an hour and a half you are back in a country where we don’t even realize what’s going on with our next door neighbor.

How can YOU help?

• READ Megan's book, Miracle on Voodoo Mountain with an open heart.  Be open to how you can get involved based on what you read.
• School can change a child's life!  You can sponsor a child for school for a year, which helps ensure that they don't get drawn into childhood slavery.  Check out Believe In Haiti (founded by Whitney and Justin Henwood of Parker, Colorado) for a practical way to help.  
• Support Plan International - Haiti financially with their efforts in Haiti.
• Support Megan's ministry:  Respire Haiti.

Bringing Healthier Smiles To Haiti

Hello Friends!

“I want you to be concerned about your next door neighbor. Do you know your next door neighbor?” - Mother Theresa

We're off on another adventure in a few short days...  This time we're headed to Haiti to make some smiles healthier!  It's a little closer than Cambodia, but has it's own challenges, for sure!

We'll be heading to two main places to provide dental care to the locals.  We'll be going to one location in Port of Prince and another clinic setup with Respire Haiti.  We'll be working alongside Megan Boudreaux, who has a deep passion for Haiti.  Check out a little of what has sparked her passion for Haiti:

When I first visited Haiti I was so naive about many things…one of them being slaves in Haiti.  A Haitian friend and I were having a discussion about child slaves, and I asked, “How do you know which child is a slave?”  And he answered, “You just know.”  It wasn’t even 3 minutes later as we were driving along in the car that I saw her…she was so tiny she looked like she would break in half…the little girl had a women’s skirt on as a “dress” type of outfit…she was barefoot, dirty and carrying two heavy water jugs in each hand…she paused on the side of the rocky road as her eyes followed the car…My Haitian friend took one glance at her and said, “See her there?  She’s one.”

I felt like I couldn’t breathe.  As we drove by her I felt like her eyes were SCREAMING out for help!  She couldn’t have been more than 7…Can you imagine that?  Working ALL day long, then getting the leftover scraps for dinner, getting beaten and sometimes raped…And only being a CHILD…

There are hundreds of thousands of these child slaves or Restaveks in Haiti…an estimated 300,000-500,000 of them, but sadly after living here in Gressier, Haiti for more than 6 months I believe that number is much higher as the line is SO blurred between slavery and “paying your way” in a household.

I’m not sure people realize how incredibly disgusting this is.

Haiti is only a ONE hour and 36 MINUTE flight from Miami.  That means that you are in a country with over 300,000 CHILD SLAVES but in an hour and a half you are back in a country where we don’t even realize what’s going on with our next door neighbor.

How can YOU help?

• READ Megan's book, Miracle on Voodoo Mountain with an open heart.  Be open to how you can get involved based on what you read.
• School can change a child's life!  You can sponsor a child for school for a year, which helps ensure that they don't get drawn into childhood slavery.  Check out Believe In Haiti (founded by Whitney and Justin Henwood of Parker, Colorado) for a practical way to help.  
• Support Plan International - Haiti financially with their efforts in Haiti.
• Support Megan's ministry:  Respire Haiti.

We leave on April 16, so stay tuned for some fun pics and stories!