Haiti (misc. pictures)

Rick and Ryan have been home for several days now. We are slowly trying to slip back into our routine. They both came back exhasted. A combination of sleep deprivation, jet lag, and being exposed to heat for so long. I was also exhasted. Proably more mentally than anything. I woke up thinking about them and they were my last thought before going to sleep. I'm glad they are home safely.

I've tried to sift through over 500 photos. Without Rick or Ryan, it really isn't possible. I don't know the names or places of the people. But these photos shouldn't be hidden for our family alone. I'm anxious to share them with you. So, I will tell you what I can. Hopefully soon, Rick and Ryan will help me fill in the spaces.

This is Rick with the orphans. While he was gone, he sent me several pictures of the little girl in yellow. Both Rick and Ryan thought she was cute. Rick said that these children HUNG all over you. I'm not sure if it was because they were so grateful of the help or that they just wanted affection. I know that all I would want to do it sit in a rocking chair with these babies.

Ryan gave all the orphans glow sticks. He said they went back several days later and they still had them on. Even though they no longer glowed.

Ryan said this little girl was probably 4 years old. It was her responsiblity to keep their cooking fire going. Ryan was amazed that she knew how to fan the flame and cook.

The team rode an hour and a half back to Port-a-Prince in the back of a pick-up.

The day before they left, Rick found Herby in the village. He gave him a package of Nutter Butter. Ryan said that he was really bashful the first day they met. But on this day, Herby jumped into his arms. (Herby is the child that our family sponsors)

The market

People herding their cattle down the road.

A Haitian grocery store.

Refugees from the earthquake. Rick said that to get a tent is a HUGE luxury. Most people didn't get one.

Herby eating dinner with Rick.

Herby and his momma

Rick said that the children of the orphanage all had jobs. These children were making a palm branch fence.

This is where the team would do their twice a day bible study, eat their meals and wind down for the evening.

Ryan cleaned wounds one whole day. Rick said almost every patient had a wound. Most were from rat bites.

Ryan made several friends while he was there.

Haiti (day 3 and 4)

Rick and Ryan have been working in the local clinic today and yesterday. The orphanage came to them first thing yesterday morning. All of them in a single truck. They saw nearly 80 yesterday and plan on seeing over 150 today. In his Carrollton clinic, he is only able to get between 25 and 30 in. He has volumes more paperwork in the States. Nothing in Haiti is documented.

Keith and a little guy from the orphanage.

I'm "busting at the seams" proud of this picture. Rick and I are sponsoring this little boy so he can go to school. Our sponsorship pays for his book, uniform, one meal a day, and teacher salary. I already love Herby.

Our church helped provide hats and fabric paint for a craft project. One little girl wrote this on hers. Ugh! I'm all emotional over this!!!!

I couldn't be more proud of my man!!! I'm positive that God gave his medical talents so he could do this. I love you Hunny!!!

They orphanage cleaned up all the little kiddos before coming to the clinic. I ADORE this little girl. Doesn't she look like a little doll!!

Haiti (day 2)

Day 2:

All is well. Rick has sent me lots of pictures via his blackberry. I cannot wait to see the pictures that he is taking with the camera. I'm sure the quality will be much better. He said that Ryan is in "shock and awe". I guess there is no way to describe what they are seeing.

This was yesterday afternoon in the airport. Rick said it was an old metal building that was a complete zoo. People were everywhere, pushing and shoving for their luggage. Good thing I have tall men. They are usually easy to find in a crowd. Of course, Rick and Ryan's bags were last to be unloaded.

Hunting for crabs

These pictures were ones I woke up to this morning. I'm not surprised that he was already near the water. The boy should have been a fish.

As I mentioned yesterday, the village has had some major flooding this week. Rick typed "houses destroyed by flood" with this picture.

This WAS their soccer field until the flood waters came.

The families that have lost homes were relocated to a tent village.

They went to a school that the team has sponsored for the last two years.

They also visited an orphange. My eyes welled up everytime he sent me a picture from here. He said that they hadn't eaten anything for two days. The days that they do eat, they only get one meal. God bless them. Can you image? It breaks my heart.

Ryan bought a bag of candy before he left. He was able to pass it out to the children. I'm sure that this was a MAJOR treat for them.

This is the hardest picture of all. This little girl was singing, "Here I am to Worship". For heavens sake. Can you imagine a child worshipping in her condition. I need a humble pill right now.

They gave this little one an Oreo.

This guy is in several photos. I'm not sure of his name. It might be Alex (I will correct this if it isn't right)

When the team realized that the children hadn't ate in two days, they went to market. This is a picture of sugar cane.

Rick used the word "awful" several times. As you can see in the below pictures, it isn't like our local grocery stores.

Tonights dinner looks a little better than the Barracuda from yesterday. I'm afraid to ask what the meat is. However, I'm glad to see french fries on the plate. I know that Ryan will eat at least one thing tonight.

I thought I would close with a silly picture of Ryan laying on the patient bed in the clinic. Rick labeled this photo, "Our first patient".

Bon Voyage and Blessings

My day started a little earlier than usual. Rick and Ryan had a 6:00 a.m. flight out of K.C.I. this morning. I got up to see them off. I told them that I love them at least a dozen times each. Hugged and squeezed them extra tight.

Then, just like that, they were pulling out of the driveway. I'm not sure if it was the last hug or watching their headlights as they drove off, but I was choked up.

I'm so proud that Rick has always wanted to do this. I'm proud that he is such a good Daddy and took his son with him. I just have a really good feeling about this. A feeling that so many lives will be touched somehow. I'm certain the most touched will be my boys!!!

Several months ago a lady gave Rick a $100.00 check to purchase supplies and medicines. She passed away three weeks ago. Rick contacted her daughter and asked her what he should do with the check as he hadn't cashed it. I think that he fully intended to return it to her. She begged him to cash it and added another $20.00 from herself saying, "that is what mother would want." The same day we heard from the village in Haiti that they were having an outbreak of Typhoid and Malaria. No one had expected this and they didn't get any donated medications for them. With that money the lady gave, along with her daughter, he was able to purchase those meds.. I'm sure that God had that all planned out. I'm also sure that this will be one of many amazing stories I will hear in the coming week.

I thought it would be easier for you to visualize if I introduced Rick and Ryan's fellow team members.

This is Sue Bachman. I met Sue several years ago in a Beth Moore bible study. It was called "A Heart Like His" and she was the facilitator. We have been friends since.

From left to Right:

Lynn Lyon: Father-in-law to Lori Lyon

Keith Bachman: Son of Sue Bachman

Lori Lyon: my A+ Mary Kay consultant and friend

This is Mama and her family. Mama does all the cooking for my boys while in Haiti. Wow, that's a tall order. My boys can put it away!!! Especially my red-head. I have no idea what her given name is. Sue, Lori, and Lynn have always called her "Mama".

This was their supper tonight............ barracuda. I'm not even joking guys!! I think I just threw up in my mouth. Uggh!

I may have prefered this one. At least it's pink!!!!

The village is nestled in the bottom of a mountain. They have had lots of rainfall this week. Here is a picture taken on the 19th. Two families lost their homes (Not that they were much to begin with. Can you imagine?) If you think of it, please pray about this. They are expecting more rain this week. Since most natives do not have transportation, they will be visiting Rick's clinic on foot. Flooding will hinder that. Rick's goal is to see as many people as possible. He wants NOTHING to stand in the way of that.

This is a sunset picture that Sue posted a few nights ago. Isn't is amazing that a place so pretty could have so much sickness and despair. It tears my heart strings.

I've pulled all of these pictures off of Sue's facebook photo album. I hope to post some of my boy's pictures tomorrow. They have promised me! Rick sent me an e-mail. I'm going to type it word for word...........

"Holy crap unbelievable. Ryan not even talking. Just dumbfounded. T.V. does not come close to how bad it is."

That says it all, I guess.