FoH,
We understand most of our travelers to be at or near their return destinations. I hope you find each other better than when you separated!
Mark Lancaster
Saturday, February 23, 2013
Friday, February 22, 2013
iTeam Haiti - Coming Away
FoH,
After closing the clinic and withdrawing from the OR, various chats, cards, strolls took place. The first group leaving the mission consisted of 25, with 14 of those going on to Fort Lauderdale this afternoon. The 25 arrived at the PdP airport and 18 took the first flight out. That flight has arrived and 7 more will be to PaP soon.
Unless other communications are needed, this may be the final posting to this distribution group.
The ending numbers were 891 patients seen, 150 surgical procedures and dozens of laser treatments performed.
As is too often true, we left some untreated for apparent optical cancer and infection that likely will end earthly life. Two toddlers fit this category. The medical team consulted extensively to arrive at the conclusion of what limited care could be given. Always a harsh disappointment.
To God be the glory for any good the iTeam has done.
Mark L
After closing the clinic and withdrawing from the OR, various chats, cards, strolls took place. The first group leaving the mission consisted of 25, with 14 of those going on to Fort Lauderdale this afternoon. The 25 arrived at the PdP airport and 18 took the first flight out. That flight has arrived and 7 more will be to PaP soon.
Unless other communications are needed, this may be the final posting to this distribution group.
The ending numbers were 891 patients seen, 150 surgical procedures and dozens of laser treatments performed.
As is too often true, we left some untreated for apparent optical cancer and infection that likely will end earthly life. Two toddlers fit this category. The medical team consulted extensively to arrive at the conclusion of what limited care could be given. Always a harsh disappointment.
To God be the glory for any good the iTeam has done.
Mark L
Thursday, February 21, 2013
iTeam Haiti - Long Days, Short Week
FoH,
Stealing the subject line from someone on staff at NWHCM, we finished new patients and operating room services this afternoon. All that is left is several post-op patient checks, then put all the equipment away.
On the two acre campus, the iTeam operates in an eye clinic which is 50 yards away from the operating rooms. When we close down, some materials and equipment are moved between the two. For those in the OR, many have not spent time at the clinic, nor clinic at the OR. strange that we fly down together and eat and bunk together and yet may not stop by the others work location.
The last day is a chance for some of this discovery and also to go into town or take a hike. After 9am, there will be nothing but leisure time and travel time.
The first group goes out at 11am, with some going on to Florida and others staying the night in PaP. Saturday at 4:30am, the last group will leave SLdN.
I will send some closing notes tomorrow. Good night!
Mark L
Stealing the subject line from someone on staff at NWHCM, we finished new patients and operating room services this afternoon. All that is left is several post-op patient checks, then put all the equipment away.
On the two acre campus, the iTeam operates in an eye clinic which is 50 yards away from the operating rooms. When we close down, some materials and equipment are moved between the two. For those in the OR, many have not spent time at the clinic, nor clinic at the OR. strange that we fly down together and eat and bunk together and yet may not stop by the others work location.
The last day is a chance for some of this discovery and also to go into town or take a hike. After 9am, there will be nothing but leisure time and travel time.
The first group goes out at 11am, with some going on to Florida and others staying the night in PaP. Saturday at 4:30am, the last group will leave SLdN.
I will send some closing notes tomorrow. Good night!
Mark L
iTeam Haiti - Team Photo
Here is an unofficial team photo. It is missing a few members. This was taken today at 7am after devotions.
Mark Lancaster
Wednesday, February 20, 2013
iTeam Haiti - The Peak?
FoH,
What is the highest point on a trip like this? Of course, that varies from one person to another.
It is satisfying watching for reactions along the way. Some were thrilled just landing in their first foreign country, or maybe their first third-world environment. There is a mixture of adventure and compassion and fellowship when seeing Port au Prince and its teaming masses and landscape.
The visual and aromatic escapade of riding thru the streets of PaP or from Port de Paix to SLdN is another engaging experience. Describing it to many is easier starting with contrasts than trying to paint a realistic picture, like: No traffic signs, no center strip, dump trucks and donkeys two feet apart at 20 mph, trash totally ignored and covering the earth in places, rusting corrugated roofs on many structures, rusted rebar ascending the top floor of most cinderblock structures, no 7-11 or chain stores anywhere and no ATMs. Welcome to Haiti!
Another lofty moment is speaking creole for the first time getting an appropriate response, not like my first attempt to speak French. I was in SW Switzerland in Geneva with wife, Mary, in 1991 and in a shoestore when a clerk asked me a question and my response (later explained to me) was "You don't speak French!" No wonder the woman walked away with a quizzical expression. A hearty BONSWA in the morning or a graceful MESI in gratitude or a high five with your translator when you call your friend ZANMI is a break over moment.
Today was a big one for our occularists giving a beautiful matching eye to a 12 year old, savoring his reaction when he first saw his completed face in a mirror.
Some of the peaks can be professional in maybe completing a surgery of a certain type for the first time. I have heard repeatedly how an eye malady of the textbook kind regularly presents itself. We have seen oddities, some engulfingly sad, others barriers that are overcome for good.
It does not fail to be a thrill reuniting with former travel mates and staff and translators who have a place all their own in our hearts.
Twice this week, during the bench time Haitians spend moving from station to station at the eye clinic we have had a breathe taking event. Two new souls can call themselves children of God, as they confessed Christ as their Lord and Savior. There is no higher peak. Those of us who have given ourselves over to the compelling call of the Holy Spirit still marvel that failed, flawed sinners such as Mark Lancaster even give pause to our well-being. Better than that, Jesus draws us by the hand to stand with Him in the presence of our Heavenly Father. The air is thin, our knees are buckling, but we are at the peak with Him.
When we return with our stories, we share them as a byproduct of God's love. Stunning view from here!
Mark Lancaster
Notes:
Dennis says everything is well here. Last messenger given out. Great experience. The highlight of the trip. Looking forward to Saturday. Much love, DKH
What is the highest point on a trip like this? Of course, that varies from one person to another.
It is satisfying watching for reactions along the way. Some were thrilled just landing in their first foreign country, or maybe their first third-world environment. There is a mixture of adventure and compassion and fellowship when seeing Port au Prince and its teaming masses and landscape.
The visual and aromatic escapade of riding thru the streets of PaP or from Port de Paix to SLdN is another engaging experience. Describing it to many is easier starting with contrasts than trying to paint a realistic picture, like: No traffic signs, no center strip, dump trucks and donkeys two feet apart at 20 mph, trash totally ignored and covering the earth in places, rusting corrugated roofs on many structures, rusted rebar ascending the top floor of most cinderblock structures, no 7-11 or chain stores anywhere and no ATMs. Welcome to Haiti!
Another lofty moment is speaking creole for the first time getting an appropriate response, not like my first attempt to speak French. I was in SW Switzerland in Geneva with wife, Mary, in 1991 and in a shoestore when a clerk asked me a question and my response (later explained to me) was "You don't speak French!" No wonder the woman walked away with a quizzical expression. A hearty BONSWA in the morning or a graceful MESI in gratitude or a high five with your translator when you call your friend ZANMI is a break over moment.
Today was a big one for our occularists giving a beautiful matching eye to a 12 year old, savoring his reaction when he first saw his completed face in a mirror.
Some of the peaks can be professional in maybe completing a surgery of a certain type for the first time. I have heard repeatedly how an eye malady of the textbook kind regularly presents itself. We have seen oddities, some engulfingly sad, others barriers that are overcome for good.
It does not fail to be a thrill reuniting with former travel mates and staff and translators who have a place all their own in our hearts.
Twice this week, during the bench time Haitians spend moving from station to station at the eye clinic we have had a breathe taking event. Two new souls can call themselves children of God, as they confessed Christ as their Lord and Savior. There is no higher peak. Those of us who have given ourselves over to the compelling call of the Holy Spirit still marvel that failed, flawed sinners such as Mark Lancaster even give pause to our well-being. Better than that, Jesus draws us by the hand to stand with Him in the presence of our Heavenly Father. The air is thin, our knees are buckling, but we are at the peak with Him.
When we return with our stories, we share them as a byproduct of God's love. Stunning view from here!
Mark Lancaster
Notes:
Dennis says everything is well here. Last messenger given out. Great experience. The highlight of the trip. Looking forward to Saturday. Much love, DKH
Tuesday, February 19, 2013
iTeam Haiti -
FoH,
It is hard to top a day like we had in SLdN this Tuesday. Here are a few highlights:
- No rain, much sun, a lovely tropical breeze from sunrise to this very moment. The stars were silver-dollar sized and enough to overfill the Grand Canyon. They are back!
- Our travelers with an early departure have checked with praise reports equally wonderful under the circumstances. Special kudos to Sheila A who set Elaine's arm so well, said the Phoenix orthopedic specialist!
- The mission compound is a couple acres with a concrete block surrounding at about 10' high. To enter the grounds, the gate is now a very tight fit. Even though we competed with general medicine, maternity, dentistry and school children and employees, this was a very smooth day getting our patients into the campus. We had 193 patients go thru the clinic, 41 had surgery, 2 more eye prostheses were delivered and dozens of laser treatment and teeth cleanings occurred.
- Devotions and praise music lifted us and prepared us to serve our creator.
- No one has reported any significant sickness. Bug bites are more of a pixy rouge face decoration rather than itchified mounds.
- Roommates are getting along and even enjoying it (although some of the Tortuga 24 wanted another sleepover!).
- Last night, when I waled away from the dining area at about 9pm, I believe at least 50 of our +60 team were still at the tables rousing and roaring a Haitian hollerfest. To be part of a team that brings sight during the day and sincerely revels with new found friends, that is irreplaceable.
We appreciate your love and support. We will be home too soon and not soon enough!
Mark Lancaster
Notes:
-Dennis says Diane You will love the pictures I got. Only have one messenger left. Love and miss you and the puppies. Prayers, DKH
It is hard to top a day like we had in SLdN this Tuesday. Here are a few highlights:
- No rain, much sun, a lovely tropical breeze from sunrise to this very moment. The stars were silver-dollar sized and enough to overfill the Grand Canyon. They are back!
- Our travelers with an early departure have checked with praise reports equally wonderful under the circumstances. Special kudos to Sheila A who set Elaine's arm so well, said the Phoenix orthopedic specialist!
- The mission compound is a couple acres with a concrete block surrounding at about 10' high. To enter the grounds, the gate is now a very tight fit. Even though we competed with general medicine, maternity, dentistry and school children and employees, this was a very smooth day getting our patients into the campus. We had 193 patients go thru the clinic, 41 had surgery, 2 more eye prostheses were delivered and dozens of laser treatment and teeth cleanings occurred.
- Devotions and praise music lifted us and prepared us to serve our creator.
- No one has reported any significant sickness. Bug bites are more of a pixy rouge face decoration rather than itchified mounds.
- Roommates are getting along and even enjoying it (although some of the Tortuga 24 wanted another sleepover!).
- Last night, when I waled away from the dining area at about 9pm, I believe at least 50 of our +60 team were still at the tables rousing and roaring a Haitian hollerfest. To be part of a team that brings sight during the day and sincerely revels with new found friends, that is irreplaceable.
We appreciate your love and support. We will be home too soon and not soon enough!
Mark Lancaster
Notes:
-Dennis says Diane You will love the pictures I got. Only have one messenger left. Love and miss you and the puppies. Prayers, DKH
Monday, February 18, 2013
iTeam Haiti - Intersection
FoH,
The NWHCM main campus was a junction for comings and goings. By 6:45am, Elaine B, Kathy C and Mike O were on the mission bus heading west to Port de Paix and an MAF chartered flight to PaP. They expected to be on a 1pm to Miami, then on to Phoenix or Kansas City.
In the mission front gate began to arrive Haitian eye patients. They had come from various towns nearby SLdN, but also several from PaP. One couple came from the Capitol city with their 3 year old who just Nov 29 had her left eye taken out due to cancer. They came here for our occularist, Carolyn and Joe, to create a prosthesis for her. She left with a wonderful craft of art that makes her look like her playmates.
After we had been working a couple hours, our Tortuga team returned. They had been forced by storm to remain on the island overnight. The wind made the eight mile passage too treacherous to chance on Sunday. After the idea sank in, they were surrounded by the love of a church there who fed them, gave them blankets and a place to stay inside. Uniformly, the group praised their impromptu hosts. Thankfully, "Jonah and the Ninevites" came back eager to join the labours here.
Dental patients came, with Emily in the dental hygienist chair greeting them with pointy tools, floss and a bright smile.
We also had two non-iTeam groups, some of whom we saw on prior trips here.
All told, about 160 patients were seen in the eye clinic with 30 surgical procedures and two optical prosthetics created. Glasses were dispensed and lasers reformed eyes with glaucoma damage.
It was a pleasure to see the undersized team due to departure and Tortuga tolls bring eye health to so many new friends. Tomorrow, we expect even more patients, as the morning rains dampened some eye health spirits. We are on the path to another successful trip.
Mark Lancaster
Notes:
-Lindsey O says ...hi mom! Miss you dearly & the dogs. Hello to my students, miss you so much, and all of my friends! All is amazing in Haiti, I'm running the front of the operating room.....oh my goodness is it a great time! God is working miracles here each minute! Love each of you tons. God bless & chat soon. Xoxoxo
-Dennis sends love and prayers to Diane.
The NWHCM main campus was a junction for comings and goings. By 6:45am, Elaine B, Kathy C and Mike O were on the mission bus heading west to Port de Paix and an MAF chartered flight to PaP. They expected to be on a 1pm to Miami, then on to Phoenix or Kansas City.
In the mission front gate began to arrive Haitian eye patients. They had come from various towns nearby SLdN, but also several from PaP. One couple came from the Capitol city with their 3 year old who just Nov 29 had her left eye taken out due to cancer. They came here for our occularist, Carolyn and Joe, to create a prosthesis for her. She left with a wonderful craft of art that makes her look like her playmates.
After we had been working a couple hours, our Tortuga team returned. They had been forced by storm to remain on the island overnight. The wind made the eight mile passage too treacherous to chance on Sunday. After the idea sank in, they were surrounded by the love of a church there who fed them, gave them blankets and a place to stay inside. Uniformly, the group praised their impromptu hosts. Thankfully, "Jonah and the Ninevites" came back eager to join the labours here.
Dental patients came, with Emily in the dental hygienist chair greeting them with pointy tools, floss and a bright smile.
We also had two non-iTeam groups, some of whom we saw on prior trips here.
All told, about 160 patients were seen in the eye clinic with 30 surgical procedures and two optical prosthetics created. Glasses were dispensed and lasers reformed eyes with glaucoma damage.
It was a pleasure to see the undersized team due to departure and Tortuga tolls bring eye health to so many new friends. Tomorrow, we expect even more patients, as the morning rains dampened some eye health spirits. We are on the path to another successful trip.
Mark Lancaster
Notes:
-Lindsey O says ...hi mom! Miss you dearly & the dogs. Hello to my students, miss you so much, and all of my friends! All is amazing in Haiti, I'm running the front of the operating room.....oh my goodness is it a great time! God is working miracles here each minute! Love each of you tons. God bless & chat soon. Xoxoxo
-Dennis sends love and prayers to Diane.
Sunday, February 17, 2013
iTeam Haiti - Not the Same Old Sunday
FoH,
I suppose most folks have Sunday routines, whatever they are. Church, coffee shop, golf, sleep-in, maybe visiting someone who can't get out of their home. No matter what the norm, little things come along changing the pace.
We have had two nights here, so the bed springs, tent flaps and crooning chickens are becoming familiar. The food is novel, but at least the dining line and plastic folding tables and chairs are starting to feel right.
Then, along comes church. The one across the street is an upright block shaped structure with a crows nest top and cross. French and Creole songs, Creole prayer time with a hundred voices out loud speaking a mouthful we cannot digest. Communion with Ritz crackers. A Down's syndrome chid roaming the seated congregation hugging and slapping hands and circling the communion table. It got a little closer to home singing a couple Creole camp songs. All this with 40 people outside, listening to Brian O preach the sermon through open windows on folding chairs.
Then, a rush is on to ride a sailboat to Tortuga Island, 8 miles offshore of SLdN. The group changed clothes from church garb to beach attire, vit vit (very fast). A quick lunch and down the hill to a shoreline littered with trash mostly disposed food packaging. Ride the shoulders of a skinny Haitian man to the waiting boat, board with 29 others and head for the island. Have the love of Tortuga church members showed upon the "blancs" (whites), and have a campfire on the beach. (More on this adventure next time.)
Then, carry 35 church pews (benches) across the street to the mission for iTeam patients the rest of the week after a hike to a "waterfall" holding the hands of your new best friend, a 4 year old with no mother in sight.
Then, plan another emergency trip home for Kathy C whose aged father is near death (please add Kathy and her father to your prayer list).
Then, take a walk to visit city jail inmates who only are fed when family or friends bring it to them. Hand them food thru the bars, with soap and lotion to make more friendly their stay in that place.
Sunday is different in Haiti. It is also the day of The Lord, a day to raise our hands in his praise. That part is wonderfully the same. Our Haitian hosts have crowned us with blessings we do not earn, from our Lord who did the same.
Mark Lancaster
I suppose most folks have Sunday routines, whatever they are. Church, coffee shop, golf, sleep-in, maybe visiting someone who can't get out of their home. No matter what the norm, little things come along changing the pace.
We have had two nights here, so the bed springs, tent flaps and crooning chickens are becoming familiar. The food is novel, but at least the dining line and plastic folding tables and chairs are starting to feel right.
Then, along comes church. The one across the street is an upright block shaped structure with a crows nest top and cross. French and Creole songs, Creole prayer time with a hundred voices out loud speaking a mouthful we cannot digest. Communion with Ritz crackers. A Down's syndrome chid roaming the seated congregation hugging and slapping hands and circling the communion table. It got a little closer to home singing a couple Creole camp songs. All this with 40 people outside, listening to Brian O preach the sermon through open windows on folding chairs.
Then, a rush is on to ride a sailboat to Tortuga Island, 8 miles offshore of SLdN. The group changed clothes from church garb to beach attire, vit vit (very fast). A quick lunch and down the hill to a shoreline littered with trash mostly disposed food packaging. Ride the shoulders of a skinny Haitian man to the waiting boat, board with 29 others and head for the island. Have the love of Tortuga church members showed upon the "blancs" (whites), and have a campfire on the beach. (More on this adventure next time.)
Then, carry 35 church pews (benches) across the street to the mission for iTeam patients the rest of the week after a hike to a "waterfall" holding the hands of your new best friend, a 4 year old with no mother in sight.
Then, plan another emergency trip home for Kathy C whose aged father is near death (please add Kathy and her father to your prayer list).
Then, take a walk to visit city jail inmates who only are fed when family or friends bring it to them. Hand them food thru the bars, with soap and lotion to make more friendly their stay in that place.
Sunday is different in Haiti. It is also the day of The Lord, a day to raise our hands in his praise. That part is wonderfully the same. Our Haitian hosts have crowned us with blessings we do not earn, from our Lord who did the same.
Mark Lancaster
Saturday, February 16, 2013
iTeam Haiti - All About the Number
Friends of Haiti,
Well, maybe it isn't completely about the number or numbers, they just come up in conversation regularly. How many hours of sleep we had, the length of the layover and how many changes of clothes we brought are topics mentioned lately. Or, what time the crazy rooster starts to crow, how many orphans were hugged and how much soup was eaten before realizing it had goat in it.
From a working-level we count people in large groups. For today, we saw 70 people in the clinic, which is the front door of our operation. We had three kids from the special needs operation here go thru the clinic seen by Mike Floyd who specializes in children's eye care. There were about 19 surgical procedures in the Operating Room (OR).
This was a good start for day 1, when we get to know our jobs and each other.
Counting leads to measuring, which is not bad by itself. We must try to measure what is most important. That isn't always an easy decision. More eyes healed is one of our goals.
Our first surgery patient was Maxo, a four year old double cataract patient from PaP. His caregiver told me his patient number was his real number; he is number one to her.
That is how we try to minister to our Haitian friends. They are all number one when we are treating them.
We pray we are faithful to our savior Jesus who made us more important than Him. That is better than we deserve, better than the iTeam can give.
NOTE: please pray for teammate Elaine Brunjes who fell at 6:45pm and broke her left wrist in multiple places. She will fly out Monday with Mike O'Brien accompanying, to Phoenix. She will likely require surgery to properly heal.
Mark Lancaster
Well, maybe it isn't completely about the number or numbers, they just come up in conversation regularly. How many hours of sleep we had, the length of the layover and how many changes of clothes we brought are topics mentioned lately. Or, what time the crazy rooster starts to crow, how many orphans were hugged and how much soup was eaten before realizing it had goat in it.
From a working-level we count people in large groups. For today, we saw 70 people in the clinic, which is the front door of our operation. We had three kids from the special needs operation here go thru the clinic seen by Mike Floyd who specializes in children's eye care. There were about 19 surgical procedures in the Operating Room (OR).
This was a good start for day 1, when we get to know our jobs and each other.
Counting leads to measuring, which is not bad by itself. We must try to measure what is most important. That isn't always an easy decision. More eyes healed is one of our goals.
Our first surgery patient was Maxo, a four year old double cataract patient from PaP. His caregiver told me his patient number was his real number; he is number one to her.
That is how we try to minister to our Haitian friends. They are all number one when we are treating them.
We pray we are faithful to our savior Jesus who made us more important than Him. That is better than we deserve, better than the iTeam can give.
NOTE: please pray for teammate Elaine Brunjes who fell at 6:45pm and broke her left wrist in multiple places. She will fly out Monday with Mike O'Brien accompanying, to Phoenix. She will likely require surgery to properly heal.
Mark Lancaster
Friday, February 15, 2013
iTeam Haiti - Turned in Happy
FoH,
At devotions tonight, I counted 62 iTeam members. All had arrived as expected, all had eaten and all had a place to sleep. Overall, good travel reports.
As I type, I heard the diesel-engine of a truck likely delivering our checked bags. The little planes do not cart these bags, so this time a box truck was making the approximately 7 hour drive from PaP.
We began setting up the eye clinic ( I think of it as "the doctors office") and the two operating rooms. We have a light patient load so we can begin acclimating to our routine.
No noted sicknesses, not obviously homesick travelers, nor serious glitches. The team is large and adapting. We will be learning and serving together, so that is sweet!
More details tomorrow. Hopefully access to wifi rather than typing from my iPhone.
Blessings to you all!
Mark L
At devotions tonight, I counted 62 iTeam members. All had arrived as expected, all had eaten and all had a place to sleep. Overall, good travel reports.
As I type, I heard the diesel-engine of a truck likely delivering our checked bags. The little planes do not cart these bags, so this time a box truck was making the approximately 7 hour drive from PaP.
We began setting up the eye clinic ( I think of it as "the doctors office") and the two operating rooms. We have a light patient load so we can begin acclimating to our routine.
No noted sicknesses, not obviously homesick travelers, nor serious glitches. The team is large and adapting. We will be learning and serving together, so that is sweet!
More details tomorrow. Hopefully access to wifi rather than typing from my iPhone.
Blessings to you all!
Mark L
iTeam Haiti - Staging in Port au Prince
Friends of Haiti,
The iTeam arrives on three flights today. We arrive, claim checked bags, then shuttle a mile to the domestic terminal via tap-tap, otherwise recognized as an overworked small pickup truck. Think 1987 Toyota.
Tortug'air will fly us on 19 seat turbo props to Port de Paix. This 45 minute flight gets us within 8 miles, a one hour tap-tap ride to the mission.
We won't be all in until sometime in the afternoon, with checked bags following within a day.
The second flight, from Miami is on the ground in PaP.
Mark L
The iTeam arrives on three flights today. We arrive, claim checked bags, then shuttle a mile to the domestic terminal via tap-tap, otherwise recognized as an overworked small pickup truck. Think 1987 Toyota.
Tortug'air will fly us on 19 seat turbo props to Port de Paix. This 45 minute flight gets us within 8 miles, a one hour tap-tap ride to the mission.
We won't be all in until sometime in the afternoon, with checked bags following within a day.
The second flight, from Miami is on the ground in PaP.
Mark L
Thursday, February 14, 2013
iTeam Haiti - Team on the Move
Friends of Haiti,
You have been included in this list at the request of a traveler to Haiti. If you do not wish to receive email at this address, please reply to be removed or change to a different email.
In most cases, your traveler is closing things down at home and heading for an airport today. We should mostly be in Fort Lauderdale or Miami overnight, then on to Port au Prince tomorrow early.
We will send out a status later today and tomorrow just to keep you apprised of the travel.
Thank you for your support of this mission. The blind shall see, ...
Mark Lancaster
Sunday, January 27, 2013
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