In the fall of 1995 I boarded a plane to Haiti for what would be one of the greatest experiences of my life. For the next four years I lived and worked in the northern town of Limbe, Haiti at a rural Missionary hospital called L'hopital Bon Samaritan (HBS). In 1999, I left Haiti to go back to school and became a Physician Assistant (PA). When the earthquake hit Haiti, the news was pouring in about how increasingly desperate the situation was becoming. To me it made good sense to start looking into possibilities to return and lend a hand in the medical effort there.
Last week, I expected to arrive in Haiti and work for the UN for a month. I purchased supplies, packed my bags, said goodbye, and waited for my travel arrangements. By the weekend, I received an e-mail that they had changed their mind and would not be bringing in extra medical personnel.
I have spent the last several days networking, making phone calls, and trying to arrange travel to get to Haiti. Today I got the news that I was accepted by Baptist International Ministries (BIM) as a volunteer. The new plan is to fly to the Dominican Republic on Saturday and join a team of about 25 medical personnel. After the team is assembled, we will leave the Dominican Republic Sunday night to cross over into Haiti Monday morning. Upon arriving in Port au Prince, we plan to provide medical aid to some of the many tent communities that are popping up all over the city. At the end of the week the team and I will return to the DR. Then a new team will be assembled, more supplies purchased, and Sunday we will do the whole thing over again. I intend to stay the month of February.
Many of you have asked if you can help financially. I am taking this next month off unpaid so we'll be short of funds for rent and utilities. We could use help with the airfare and money to cover expenses the month I am in Haiti. There is a PayPal link below for the US dollars (please note: gifts aren't tax deductible - sorry!) and a Gift Aid fund for the UK. Excess money donated will be passed on to the BIM missionary I will be working with. The money will be used to treat the victims of the earthquake by purchasing necessary medical supplies, antibiotics, food, water, or to pay for these supplies to be brought into the country. For those of you that are interested in donating money, I'll send specific details about those accounts soon.
I am very grateful to everyone who has encouraged us while Jessica and I have been trying to figure out a way for me to help in Haiti. We would very much appreciate your continued prayer while I am away. Pray that the team would work well together, be competent, and effective. Pray also for the people of Haiti, that they can perceiver and find away to recover as well as their basic daily needs of food, water, shelter, and medicine.
Thank you for all your love and support. As possible, I will send updates through Jessica.
2 comments:
Jessica...I have friends in the Dominican Republic that are helping with Haiti relief! Andi and Cody Baker are their names. Cody is a helicopter pilot and is assisting with delivering supplies and bringing people out. Andi is his wife and I really am not sure what she is doing. Maybe they will cross paths! Tell Jeremy we will definitely pray for him as he serves the people of Haiti. Miss you!
Hi Jeremy! This is Karen Moldovan. I am Ezra's friend and we met in Haiti in 2001. Thanks so much for passing on your blog. I am so glad you were able to return and share your medical skills in this critical time. I'll be following your blog... Kenbe Fem and thanks for everything you are doing in Solidarity with Haiti!!
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