Feb 10 - 17, 2011
Florida Medical Team: Faith Lutheran, St. Thomas Episcopal, Holy Spirt Lutheran
The "Happy Hearts"

Work Assignment:   Mobile Medical Clinics
Three days of clinic were held at the school, two of which were designated for school students and their parents .  The middle day, Saturday reserved for community members.  A fourth clinic was held in a small community at the outskirts of Croix des Bouquets. There were not many folks waiting when we arrived but word soon got around.  In no time there was a line filled with women and children galore with a few fellows interspersed here and there.   The last clinic day was split between Little Children of Jesus and Marie’s as we checked up on the staff and children at each location. 

Dentist, Dr Chris Ricker, added a new dimension to the Sarasota team’s visit.  Thanks to a generous donation, Dr Chris and his “assistants” gave a fluoride treatment to all of the kids from grade 1 to 6 and also to the girls at Marie’s.   Over 70 people are missing a tooth or two but are feeling so much better for those extractions.  Even Marie had her time in the chair and she said afterward that she never had such a “sweet” dental experience.  This was re-iterated by the Health Agent who had worked with us.  Her statement said with a bit of amazement was “it didn’t hurt at all”!  

The team especially enjoyed being able to work with the various Haitian folk who joined us for the week…from Populaire, our security person, to the interpreters, to Dr Jouberth Helias (our school director’s niece). Jouberth is a young, vibrant and very enthusiastic Haitian physician.  She appreciated the experience and was like a sponge soaking up any medical tidbits that Dr Steve shared with her. 

One of the other highlights was listening to the team members singing Jesus Loves Me to a wee babe who was being comforted after Dr Steve performed a small surgical procedure for her. 

Other Activities:    Pastor Steve pleased the children with the message he gave at the Sunday service at the chapel and the kids loved the Valentine’s treats that the team handed out at the end of the service.  Valentine cards were exchanged between the kindergarten classes at the school and the preschoolers  from Holy Spirit. The team enjoyed seeing the kids all decked out for the holiday and hearing them sing a song or two as they handed out the cards.  The Valentine activities, the heart with which they provided their medical skills and the Veggie tales song they sung at Chapel earned this team the nickname of “The Happy Hearts team”. 

Another special moment came as a part of the group visited Saint Christophe, the earthquake memorial site a few miles north of Port au Prince.  It is where a mass burial took place for so many victims of the earthquake.  It was a moving and spiritual experience for all who visited.

Special Notes:  
Mary, Pastor Steve’s daughter celebrated her 14th birthday with us and she said she got her birthday wish which was to be “helping others”.  She and Lexie made fine pharmacy assistants as they packaged and labeled the various drugs prescribed by the doctors.