My trip to Haiti

My friend Stephanie told me that I should start a blog to get the word out and share information about my unexpected, upcoming trip to Haiti to participate in relief work.
Ok, So I will be completely honest, the idea of blogging is not something that has ever crossed my mind....ever. It's only for women with children, right. By the way, if you were not sure, I am single and am not planning on having any children any time in the very near future. I was so gracefully informed by Stephanie that anyone can blog. So you must excuse the noviceness(is that a word) in my "blogging" abilities...I am a first timer!

A little update about how this trip came about....

For about the past year, I have wanted to participate in some sort of medical mission work. I looked around on the Internet, prayed about it, but I was never sure what I should commit to.Then of course life would happen, and everything else would come up. Needless to say, I never committed and signed up for a mission trip.
In January when the earthquake hit in Haiti, I felt like this would be a prime opportunity. If you are not already aware, I work as in the orthopedics department at Children's as a pediatric nurse practitioner, We do a lot of procedures independently, as well as assist the surgeons in the operating room. Prior to becoming a PNP, I was a nurse in the trauma unit. I felt like I would be perfect to go over there and assist with relief efforts. I received an email from Lifechurch.tv about donating and participating in relief effort, I thought this is it, this is my chance, I mean how could they not need me, right...... I put in my application with Samaritan's purse, one of the organizations that Lifechurch.tv chose to work with for relief effort. And PRAYED! I prayed with my lifegroup about timing, ability, monetary help, and just a general if this is supposed to work out, let it work out the way it should.

Well, I did not hear anything for months, and of course, I had given up on it. I was a bit disappointed, but I just figured it was not meant to be.

Wed. (03.10.2010), I was having a day. Trying to focus on the half marathon I was running on Sunday, dealing with the plumber and his costly estimate, and realizing that the meter pole is falling off the roof of my house...My mind could not have been farther from Haiti, or serving. As I was putting on my shoes to go for a run, I got a phone call from Scott, he works for Samaritan's Purse. He asked if I still wanted to go to Haiti, and if I would be able to go in about a week and a half. He said they were in serious need for a pediatric provider to go with a group from New Orleans, which only had an Internist and nurses. I was seriously taken back. I did the normal fumbling around, and then I realized this was it, this was what I had been waiting and praying for.
Of course, in true God fashion, the Lord is never late... He just has his own timing. And like always, his is timing is impeccable. I am only scheduled to work two days the week they needed me, and after talking with my coworkers, it was not going to be problem to move things around.

OMG, this is it! This what I have been thinking about for the past year, and I am doing it!!!!!

But I am SOOO nervous, excited, and trying to imagine the unknown (more so I won't fear it!). I don't really think I have all of the words to explain. This will be a HUGE opportunity for spiritual and personal growth. Not only am I going by myself to a third world country that has recently experienced complete devastation...I am practicing general pediatric medicine (remember before when I said I do orthopedics). I mean I diagnose broken bones, etc. and I for sure have NEVER seen anything that resembles Malaria...

I know that I can only do this with the guidance, strength, and confidence of the LORD!

So here are the details:
I leave Sunday March 21, 2010 and Return March 28, 2010. I am working at a general clinic, which I will be the pediatric provider (yikes...). I will be staying at a mission "compound" like 15 miles north of Port Au Prince, where they have like dorm style living, cold showers, food, etc.
If you would like to look at the place: http://www.freewebs.com/gohaitimission/

Everything is taken care of when I get there I am only responsible for my travel....
(well, and of course the cost of immunizations and malaria prophylaxis)

Which is one of the reasons I am writing this silly blog- I need help raising funds to pay for my plane ticket

The total cost of my flight is $1072.40.
Nothing like a last minute international flight....

If you are interested in donating money, the donation WILL be tax deductable and 100% of the donation will go to my account to assist in paying for airfare, etc.

Please send a check (any monetary amount is helpful- I PROMISE!) to the following address and be sure to include the following code on it so it will be put towards my account

Your project code is 010411 (this is very Important)

Attn: Scott Reichenbach, B.S.N., R.N.
Post-Residency Program Coordinator
World Medical Mission
P.O. Box 3000
Boone, NC 28607

I would greatly appreciate any donation amount to offset the cost of my trip. Thanks guys