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