Beans, Bandaids, and Bullets

Anyone familiar with the military  knows what the above title means. Before they mobilize commanders must make sure that these items never run out and that the supply of the above said never gets cut. 

Today, we quickly mobilized our unit into working order. Patients gathered at the front gate. We promptly organized them in a straight line behind the red crosses taped on the door by using a mixture of French, Spanish , English. The crowd agreed and the work day began. We processed over a hundred patients in all. Two of the victims had been trapped in the rubble for two days before being rescued, of which one of them was a young boy.   It's hard to imagine the strength necessary to survive in those conditions but yet they held firm to life and waited for help. Angela did a great job caring for them. A true professional.  

A different team went out and purchased rice and beans for tomorrow.  The prices were rediculously high but capitalism had it's purpose. Supply and demand even works in Haiti. The food will be handed out tomorrow to the starving masses. It's not a lot but every bit helps. Because of the donations back home we get the priveledge to serve God and this community. We, as a team could never thank everyone enough. 

After lunch, two of us went out to try and find medical supplies. This turned out to be greatly informative. Along the route we spotted a US Army post that was behind a green iron fence. Upon asking the private at the gate if we could get a few medical items we were invited in. Staff Sergent Acuff, who is the senior medical officer, explained to us that the University of Miami had set up a hospital at the airport and they could help us. He gave us directions and to our surprise he gave us a little of what they had. Cough syrup, an IV bag, and Mucinex were given to us with a handshake and a thank you. Again, I find myself proud of my home.  Why would he thank us?

    After dropping off the supplies we headed to the airport. Upon arrival we noticed the vastness of the international responce. Greek, US, Italian, French, Venezualan, Mexican, etc...etc. All of them working under the UN. Cars,buses,trucks,and planes danced among each other trying to aid Haitians. 

Upon finding the hospital we were immediately thrown into a chaotic, but yet amazing, circumstance. Aaron and I quietly searched for a resupply of goods among the critically injured. They patiently answered our questions and pointed us to the pharmacy who helped us with asonr qntacid. Then on to the headquarters tent where the chief medical officer explained to us that we could bring critical patients to their hospital for a higher level of care. He then gave us directions to the World Health Organization. He said they would supply us there. 

After a cold drink in the market we returned home. It was obvious that God had been in the van with us today. He knew what we needed for our small clinic and He opened the doors for us. We learned that it's not the size of the hospital that matters. What matters is that God has a plan for all of the people we have treated. We asked and he provided.