Thursday, February 11, 2010

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Helping Haiti 2010

February 11, 2010

Dear Family and Friends,

So, here I sit fighting with those darn space saver bags (I don’t think they are working for me) to attempt to take as much as possible in one backpack for 21 days…I have had an emotional week to say the least. I can’t tell you how much your emails, Facebook messages, phone calls, text messages, visits have meant to me as I prepare for this journey. I am not the first person, nor will I be the last person to listen to God about a huge decision in one’s life. But, your support has meant the world to me and made this decision (and trust me, it is one I have doubted on many occasions the past 3 weeks) manageable. The devil has stepped in to derail this trip on every occasion he can. From dog sitting, to child sitting, and beyond he has attempted to block this trip. But, as my friend Evie told me this morning, “when you are in the middle of God’s will, nothing will stop you you”! I am counting on that….because for the first time in my life (other than when I accepted Christ), I followed the conviction on my heart and doors opened…even the ones the devil attempted to kick shut. So, unless something traumatic happens I will be on the 5:59 am flight from Barkley Regional to Chicago and beyond Saturday February 13, 2010!! My oldest and dearest friends Trish, Margo and Kim are taking me to the airport Saturday. Then my sweet cousin Vickie in VA is letting me spend 2 nights with her and taking me to the airport at 3 am on February 15!

Events of the Week:

1. I taught a donation only Haiti Relief Yoga class at True North Yoga on Monday night! We had 21 students show up in the snow and donated $405.00 towards my trip!! I was humbled, and overwhelmed! I had not taught a class in several years and simply winged it! It was one jumbled mess, but we laughed our way through it!

2. I had an unexpected interview with WPSD News Channel 6 as I was loading up the medications/supplies that Western Baptist Hospital so generously donated to this trip. I have yet to see it, but heard it was short and sweet and got the point across!!

3. Ella and I shipped almost 300lbs (11 boxes) of what WBH donated plus Dr. Pete Ward’s donations from the Fed-Ex office on Monday. Shipping was $234.00, my Sunday school class had taken up an offering on Sunday….$226.00 was given! How good is God?

4. As of today we have had a total of $4,233.00 in the US Bank Haiti Relief fund!! Can you believe how people have stepped up, one donation at a time from $5.00 to $1,000.00!! God has blessed with being able to get this trip financed and buy supplies, pay for shipping costs and whatever is needed to get the job done! I can’t thank each and everyone of you enough for making this possible! My goal was $5,000.00 in donations! Who knows, when I come home, I may have reached my goal! Donations are still being accepted.

5. Please pray that a job will open up for me when I am away. I have sent out many resume’s and praying that this trip will not hinder my job search in any way! My prayer is that when I return, I have emails that want me to come interview!

I may not be able to send news letters from Haiti, but if you sign up to follow the blog (it takes all of 5 minutes) then you can see the pictures and read the stories I have to tell the next 3 weeks. I am hoping to be able to blog from my phone!

Follow my blog: http://ernursepractitioner.blogspot.com/
You can click the "FOLLOW" button in the upper left corner to follow the journey!!













Packed and ready to head
to Haiti!!


Donation List:

Donations can be made to ANY US Bank branch, or mailed to:
US Bank
C/O Susan Ybarzabal
333 Broadway
Paducah, KY 42001

Donations can also be mailed to:
Dani Williamson
134 Mohawk Drive
Paducah, KY 42001

Donations to:
Dani Williamson C/O Haiti Relief




Dr. Ward and I at the
Haiti Relief Yoga Class!

Thursday, February 4, 2010

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Helping Haiti 2010

Welcome to the first newsletter of Helping Haiti 2010! 
In order to better keep in touch with my friends, family and all that are supporting me daily with prayers and donations I decided to create a simple newsletter to keep everyone updated on the events of my upcoming journey.

Events of today:

1. Confirmation email from Dr. Irwin of http://www.medmissionaries.org/ of my acceptance to be on the third/fourth team to head down to Haiti to offer healthcare to the Haitians. I will be traveling with an ER MD, Pedes NP, CRNA, General surgeon, and a PhD who is on the board of directors and is our team leader. It is a small team. I hope it isn't an indication of decreasing support. Please pray that our hearts and hands are blessed to do the work needed!

2. Western Baptist Hospital donated over $ 3,000.00 worth of medications on Dr. Irwin’s “wish list” as well as gloves, speculums, light sources for speculums, lubrication etc!! (I am a nurse midwife you know, so I am pushing for gynecological supplies)!

3. My tickets were bought and I am flying out of Paducah. Given the amount of supplies and the fact that I will be exhausted, I thought is best to use Barkley Regional instead of Nashville. I am attaching the flight itinerary for those of you who have this trip on your prayer lists. There is a day in between each flight, due to the fact that I couldn't get the flights lined up with Paducah.

Sat. Feb 13 
Depart 05:59 am Paducah
Arrive: 2:04 pm Dulles

Mon. Feb 15
Depart 06:00 am Dulles
Arrive 1:10 pm Santo Domingo

Mon. March 8
Depart 4:50 pm Santo Domingo
Arrive 11:15 pm Dulles

Tues. March 9
Depart 09:27 am Dulles
Arrive 02;37 pm Paducah

4. As of today we have over $2,100.00 in monetary donations to be used for supplies for this medical mission trip!! I will use some of that money to buy the batteries needed for the light sources, Deet, water purification systems, flashlights , food, and anything else I am told is needed! Thank you so much for your help! Any amount of donation can help make a HUGE difference in the mission of slowly beginning to rebuild the lives and communities of the Haitian men, women and children. Donations can also be mailed to the address at the end of this newsletter.

Follow my blog: http://ernursepractitioner.blogspot.com/

You can click the "FOLLOW" button in the upper left corner to follow the journey!!

Donation List:

Donations can be made to ANY US Bank branch, or mailed to:

US Bank

C/O Susan Ybarzabal

333 Broadway

Paducah, KY 42001

Donations to:

Dani Williamson C/O Haiti Relief

Two locations to drop off supplies for the "wish list":

HOOPER'S Outdoor Center

219 Broadway

Paducah, KY

10a-8p M-Sat

1p-5p Sunday

Gold Gallery

1769 Mayfield Hwy.

Benton, KY 42025

Supplies needed: By 2/12/2010

PERSONAL HYGIENE PRODUCTS

• Soap

• Shampoo & conditioner

• Plastic combs

• Toothpaste

• Toothbrushes

• Deodorant

• Hand and body lotion

• Washcloths

MEDICAL SUPPLIES

• Bandages (including soft-stretch bandages, ace bandages, and band-aids)

• Rubbing alcohol or alcohol wipes

• Antibiotic ointment

• Gauze pads

• Hand sanitizer

• Saline solution/eye wash

GENERAL:DEET, Flashlights, Batteries,

Leather gloves

Integrative Family Medicine