Dead Sea Scrolls and the Bible Lecture Series at Milwaukee Public Museum

MILWAUKEE – The Milwaukee Public Museum has announced a series of educational lectures on the Dead Sea Scrolls which will run from now through June 3, 2010.

 Feb 18 5:30 & 7:30 PM Shalom Paul, PhD

Chair of the Dead Sea Scrolls Foundation and Professor Emeritus/Bible Dept at Hebrew University – Birth of Christianity

Mar 4 7:30 PM Lawrence H Schiffman, PhD

Edelman Professor of Hebrew 7 Judaic Studies at New York University – Israel at the Time of the Dead Sea Scrolls

Mar 18 7:30 PM Jodi Magness, PhD

Kenan Distinguished Professor in the Dept of Religious Studies at University of North Carolina – Chapel Hill – Archaeology of Qumran and the Dead Sea Scrolls

Mar 25 7:30 PM Martin G Abegg, PhD

Co director of the Dead Sea Scrolls Institute and Ben Zion Professor of Dead Sea Scrolls Studies at Trinity Western University – The Stories of the Milwaukee Public Museum Dead Sea Scrolls

Apr 15 7:30 PM Wesley Williams, PhD of the Michigan State University – God among the gods: Divine Plurality in the Quran and in the Light of Biblical and Ancient Near Eastern Mythic Tradition

Apr 29 7:30 PM Brent Sandy, PhD

Chair & Professor of Biblical Studies at Grace College – In Search of the Holy Grail: How much difference would it make if we found the original handwritten copies of the New Testament?

May 6 7:30 PM Andrew Teeter, PhD

Asst Professor of Hebrew/Old Testament at Harvard Divinity School – The Scriptures and their interpretation in the Dead Sea Scrolls

May 27 5:30 & 7:30 PM Emanual Tov, PhD

Mahnes Professor of Bible at Hebrew University – The Scribes of the Dead Sea Scrolls

Jun 3 7:30 PM Deirdre A Dempsey, PhD

Assoc Professor in the Theology Dept at Marquette University

For tickets or more information contact the Milwaukee Public Museum at 414.278.2728.

DEAD SEA SCROLLS AND THE BIBLE EXHIBITION TEACHER GUIDE

Teachers of archeology, history, language, religion, art, anthropology and other various subjects will find Dead Sea Scrolls and the Bible an excellent supplement to their curriculum. The link is http://www.mpm.edu

POETRY COMPETITION

The Museum is hosting the American Institute for Archaeology(AIA)-Milwaukee Public Museum (MPM) Archaeology Fair on March 5 and 6, 2010 MPM and is sponsoring a poetry competition for Wisconsin elementary and high school students from grades 3 through 12. This program will encourage creative expression and the development of written language skills while providing teachers with a context within which to meet the WMAS for English Language Arts. (B4.1, 4.2, B8.1, 8.2; B12.1, 12.2.)

Theme: Archaeology: the study of past human life and culture through the things—pottery, tools, mummies, buildings and tombs, among others—that people leave behind.

 Deadline: February 16, 2010 (see http://www.mpm.edu/education/special/poetry-competition for more submission details)

 Who is eligible: The competition is open to all Wisconsin students in the following three grade categories: Grades 3-5, Grades 6-8, and Grades 9-12.

 Criteria: Entries will be judged on creativity, originality, imagery, artistic quality, and sense of poetic expression.

 Poetry reading at the Museum: The winners will be invited to read their poems at the Museum during the AIA fair on Saturday, March 6, 2010.

‘To Save a Life’ – A faith-based film to reach today’s youth

"The real message of this film is to try and offer help to people that are in trouble," says Josh Weigel, who plays a youth pastor. (New Song Productions / January 20, 2010)

Jake (Randy Wayne) and Jonny (Sean Michael Afabel) share an easy laugh in the quad.

LA – On the surface, “To Save a Life” doesn’t sound that different from a host of indie films — a drama involving a teen coping with the aftermath of a student’s suicide who finds solace in a group of outsiders.

The film, which opened last Friday (Jan 22, 2010), deals with myriad real-life issues facing teens such as drugs, sex and social acceptance. The plot focuses on star athlete Jake Taylor, who seemingly has it all; he has a basketball scholarship, good looks, a cheerleader girlfriend and hangs with the in-crowd. But when a loner, an old friend from his past, shoots himself at school, his world is turned upside down and he seeks answers on how he could have made a difference.

“To Save a Life” is meant to be uplifting and appeal to a wide audience. Which is part of the reason that the filmmakers don’t want to make too much of the fact that this is a faith-based film.

“The real message of this film is to try and offer help to people that are in trouble,” said Josh Weigel, who plays the role of a youth pastor in the film. “I don’t know what that kind of movie is called, movie with a purpose, a positive film, inspirational or redemptive film. It doesn’t really matter.”

The film is being distributed by Samuel Goldwyn Films, which had a breakout hit in 2008 with the Christian film “Fireproof.” With a budget well under $1 million, the film, which starred Kirk Cameron, grossed $33 million thanks in large part to grass-roots marketing to church audiences.

Like “Fireproof,” “To Save a Life” is produced by a church-based production company, in this case New Song Pictures, a division of New Song Ministries in Oceanside California. But that’s where the similarities with the more overtly Christian “Fireproof” end. In fact, the new film may have more in common with Fox’s “Glee” than it does with previous Christian films, including a rainbow-colored cast of misfits and a good-looking mentor who guides them through the chaos of high school life.

According to LA Times reporter, Liesl Bradner, screenwriter and producer, Jim Britts, wrote the screenplay after learning that the top influence on teen behavior is not parents, school or even church, but movies.

“I work with troubled teens every day and see the severity of the poor choices they make,” said Britts of his 10 years as a youth pastor at New Hope Church. “Movies are a powerful way to illustrate the consequences of making the wrong choice while reinforcing positive actions. “Not a day goes by without talking to a kid going through some kind of pain.”

Many of those associated with “To Save a Life” are understandably nervous about being typecast as “Christian” filmmakers. It’s not that they are embarrassed by their beliefs, but the track record of faith-based films has been spotty. “To Save a Life” used Hollywood professionals to upgrade the quality of the film, but that was not always an easy task.

“It’s hard to commit to being in a film with any kind of Christian undertones, as most actors don’t want to be pigeonholed,” said casting director Liz Lang. “Christian films can be risky. You can believe in all sorts of things, but when you start talking about God and Jesus, people turn away.”

Initially, Randy Wayne, who plays Jake, passed on auditioning for the role because it was a faith-based movie with a low budget.

“I was afraid it would look really cheesy and I would too,” said Wayne, who changed his mind after reading the script. Jake’s struggles are the heart of the film but the guiding light is Youth Pastor Chris Vaughn, played by actor Weigel. Casting the role of a spiritual leader is crucial especially in faith-based films. “Pastors are depicted as being really preachy,” said Britts. “I knew Chris had been a youth pastor and he came in and nailed it.”

“To Save a Life” is co-produced by Outreach Films, which handled the marketing campaigns for “Fireproof.”

“The grass-roots marketing, especially on the Internet, is a significant part of reaching our teen audience,” said Meyer Gottlieb, president and chief operating officer of Samuel Goldwyn Films, which plans to distribute two faith-based films a year. “We want entertaining films that resonant with people, make them feel good and change their life for the better.” Among the marketing strategies is a Facebook page that also offers tools for at-risk kids, such as suicide hotlines, art contests and other creative outlets.

“We want to empower teens to be a messenger of hope by reaching out and befriending someone in trouble,” said Britts.

Synopsis…

(Source: LA Times, New Song Productions, Internet)

MILWAUKEE TO HAITI (Update Jan 25, 2010) – FINAL BLOG

Nearly 50 children are housed daily in the hospital tent with 135 adults receiving pre- and port-operative care for wounds and fractures.

PORT-AU-PRINCE/FORT LAUDERDALE – The team arrived at the Ramada Inn near the Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood Airport shortly after midnight last night. It had been a long day beginning with breakfast at 6AM, patient rounds at 7AM, and new woun ded and rescued arriving on a non-stop basis. Not a single member of the team was without opportunities to serve intensely throughout the morning, and as we gathered to mark the mid-afternoon departure for the State, all gave thanks to God for His many blessings and innumerable miracles each had seen.

The medical staff worked among two large tents, one containing the operating room and about 60 beds, the other supporting about 125 beds with a makeshift x-ray area and open-air surgical bed for conscious procedures. The latter unit contained room for about 50 children; adults filled the rest.

Coloring books provide ample distraction and a sense of normality for this child who had been rescued from rubble just days before.

Everyone lent both hands to every task – doctors carrying bed pans, nurses changing sheets…there was no heirarchy of privilege or status found among those who were working side-by-side from all over the world. The cumulative effect of thousands, even millions of ordinary acts, is an extraordinary effort only an all-knowing God could orchestrate.

Final Rounds

Our prayer the day before was that our relief team would come early enough to overlap, and thus permit some on-the-job “training” of procedures and protocols as they had evolved up to today. Fortunately, this did happen…yet another divine appointment among the litany which Basil and I could number from the start.

New Beginnings for some

As word of  Basil’s work with the traumatized children spread throughout camp, media interest was piqued. A team was on-hand from NBC Nightly News to interview him and follow his rounds in the morning. According to later reports from our friends, the piece made it on air. We both have prayed that the Lord’s hand be recognized in the actions of so many in Haiti, and that hearts be stirred to help – in this television coverage, we believe that these prays have been answered. The mental trauma so apparent among the Haitians and Basil’s presence as the only psychiatrist at camp is yet another reflection of the need for psychiatric care in disaster response, as important as surgery and wound care for healing.

A news team from NBC followed Basil and Hill on final rounds...

As I made rounds with more than 80 of the patients to perform debreeding, disinfecting, dressing changes, burn injury treatment, and confirming post-surgery cleanliness (non-infections) of amputees, I realized that our short stay was not untypical. According to the medical team coordinators from University of Miami Hospital, the medical staff only work for 5-7 days at a time and rotate out. What is not definitive is the timeframe for the rotations to continue. Most have assumed that the field hospital will be needed at the airport for at least 2 years, as rehabilitation, post-operative infections, and spread of disease from the decaying corpses which remain under the rubble, not to mention the growing problems due to the lack of sanitation in the streets and temporary shelters.

A cross necklace and a prayer for stength become this little girl's only material possession in the world thanks to a friend of Hill's in Milwaukee who asked that it be given to someone.

Before I left Milwaukee, a friend gave me a small cross on a simple necklace with a short prayer for strength in difficult times. She requested me to give this to a little girl, and one in particular had come to mind as I prayed last night. As we prepared to depart the camp for our flight, I returned to see the little girl who had lost both her legs in amputation. Her brother was always by her side, and he had sustained far fewer injuries. He spoke and read English and was able to read the prayer to his little sister. I handed it to her, asking him to explain the gift, and she looked at it with surprise. She was happy to be given her first new possession after losing so much.

NASCAR owner/driver Joe Gibbs donated his team plane like this one for teams to shuttle to and from Haiti for this week.

Our flight was ready, graciously donated by Joe Gibb’s Racing Team (another surprise blessing from God allowing us to work a bit longer and avoid the cross-country return trip via Santo Domingo in the Dominican Republic). Working with Missionary Flights International and Missionary Aviation Fellowship, private and commercial planes aer shuttling medical, pastoral, logistical and rescue personnel to and from Haiti’s principle airport. The SAAB 2000 sat our entire team, a family of refugees and 4 Singaporian workers from City Harvest Church.

Most of our team openly expressed mixed feelings about leaving, knowing that so much needs to be done. But we were all comforted by our first-hand witness that God had done extraordinary things with our team of ordinary people and simple skills, and that He will continue to do so…for no one more than He loves Haiti’s children, and Jackson, me and 19 others from across the country who answered the call are humbly and joyfully glad to report the same affection for the people here. 

Thank you for your prayers over the past 10 days and for our safe return.

DH/EBJ

This couple is returning with 2 adopted orphans to Indiana..They worked for 2 years to adopt from among 380,000 orphans (2007). This figure has mushroomed over the past 2 weeks since the earthquake.

MILWAUKEE TO HAITI (Update Jan 24, 2010)

Repairing the air conditioner for the operating room tent...critical at temps reaching 100 degrees.

PORT-AU-PRINCE -  Like every other day, Haiti on Day 7 of our team trip was nothing but full of surprises.  Helicopters and behciles continues to bring waves of survivors from the earthquake of Jan 17, and now infections were high as wounded and mamed were unable top receive treatment for so long.

Dr Jackson confers with the military who delivered a victim.

Dr. Jackson encountered his first victim suffering post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).  The 16 year old boy would not drink water, eat any food, and was completely on-communicative with the military who found and delivered him.  Showing unusual compassion and extraordinary care, Jackson spoke with him in French and succeeded n getting his name and helping him to acclimate to the camp.  Within hours of adjusting and follow=up, the teen, who apparentluy had lost his entire family, was eating, drinking and resting.  Hopefully, a local orphanage will accept him.

Another man who had a sever spinal cord injury resulting in paralysis was brought to the hospital….after spending several days in a morgue.  He is being well cared for now, receiving high quality care and cmprehnsive attention from the staff at the airport camp hospital.

Actor Sean Penn and Dr Dennis Hill visit briefly in the mid-day sun at Port-au-Prince Airport - Penn told Hill he intends to lend his voice to the cries for help in Haiti.

We were visited by news media and dignitaries, like Sean Penn, Geraldo Rivera, John Edwards, among others.

Blessings and mercies abound.

As rotations of rescue and recovery teams now begin to occur, there is a need for careful cordination so as not to leave the facilities too thinly staffed, but the lack of coordination across this multinational force is all too apparent.

Nearly every flag is flying at the airport, but one…that of the USA. Even as University of Miami Hospitals staff provide the medical coordination, the elementary aspects of camp management are slow in coming…sanitation (showers, bathrooms, etc) is a huge problem.  Reports from rescue workers indicate that Tent City, located  downtown on a hill, has filth streaming from it. 

One can only trust as he departs frm this country that more, not minimal resources will be brought to bear this crisis in Haiti.

Here are a few more photos,  These are from Day 7:

Dr. Hill (center) with Logicians/Ministers Ken (left) and Tim (right)

The Wound Care team focused on urgent care and post-operative infections.,

Jean-Luis, age 16, lost his right forearm - pictured here with Hill after dressing change...

MILWAUKEE TO HAITI (Update 23 Jan 2010)

Doctor evaluates 2 tiny babies brought in on a helicopter

PORT-AU-PRINCE – Haitians have lived difficult lives under poverty fueled by civil war and political corruption for decades, perhaps centuries.  The land here is hard to work, with limestone and rock just below a layer of dry, dusty dirt. 

Dr Jackson (center) celebrates with Polish priest treated for bite by Black Widow spider - The two were able to communicate...in Latin!

Nevertheless, these people are tough, and it is no surprise that some are being pulled out from underneath buildings 11 days after the first earthquake.

Mother with her new born, just days old...both are doing well.

Today, our team integrated with the Wound Care and Triage activities at the temporary hospital located here at the Port-Au-Prince International Airport.  We witnessed a flow of air and ground traffic that was remarkable.  By truck, car, helicopter, and foot, patients arrived continuusly throughout the day.

With the sudden state of homelessness for most, a few Haitians with chronic problems are beginning to come, some sent by outlying doctors, clinics and hospitals.  One little girl with bruised ribs and a sprained ankle required x-rays, but later could be seen walking away on crutches – nothing broken. 

Wound care kits were setup by our team with some improvisations for future teams to use.

Witha resilient people demonstrating a tenacity to live under the most extreme circumstances with each daily and miraculous rescue, this new wave of long term needs will challenge the resources already present here. 

No infrastructure is in place to support these diverse missions short of an overwhelming and counter-balancing wave aid.

Photos from the Hospital/airport Today:

Pastoral members of the team serve logistical roles as well...

Dr Hill is seen here administering treatment for the severe burns this man endured on his hands, shoulders, and head.

With curfew at night, most patients arrive during the day...as many as 24 in just 1 hour may be seen here at the triage station.

MILWAUKEE TO HAITI (Updated Jan 22, 2010)

Widespread destruction like this building hampers rescue efforts - a young boy was discovered today after spending a week under one such structure...

Hope International Ministries leader, Kurt Holthsun, discusses the apparent abandonment of the hospital from the previous day and the decision to press onto Port-au-Prince airport…

PORT-AU-PRINCE – Today began with the disappointing failure of returning to the hospital frmthe day before. as agreed at 7AM, only to discover the hospital locked and the Jamaican  contiungent absent…doctors, nurses and soldiers.

A few patients remained wth their families, but our team’s ability to function was hampered without guards and acilities.  So, the team decided to press forward to the airport, as our team leader for Hope International Ministries, Jurt Holthsun, had received news via email from the US military operations based there.

HIM Team arrives at Port-au-Prince's airport after 3 days in country...

Kurt reached his contact, who offered escort onto the airfield where we were instructed to imbed with a team of special operations soldiers.  And so, some stayed while the rest, including Jackson and Hill, returned to the orphanage to collect our supplies and personal belongings.  Those who remained at the airfield continued to network with the administration from University of Miami Hospitals and Medical School, and with the logistics groups

Throngs of refugees await departure frm Haiti to points elsewhere at the airport...

from the US, as well.  This was vitally important since dispatch and centralized coordination still seemed to be evolving. 

Meanwhile, back at Delmas, the collection team quickly packed the medical supplies, water purifier and personal items, and loaded both trucks.  We woud be led by Canadien missionary (“Bob”) onhis motorcycle out of the village and back to Haiti’s international airport.  We needed to pack quickly and move out immediately as some in the village seemed angry that we did not establishing a clinic there for treatment, byut without armed guards to keeop the peace and control any attempts at rioting and looting, we had little choice but to go and pray that the sick would make it to a hospital or to the airport for care. All of the food and much of the water which we purified were left behind wih the missionary, Micha. to use for the refugees.

The translatiors and a giuft to the ministry were left as well with him.

Military liasion officer escorts the team through the airfield to the new hospital...

Both the team who was left at the airport and the collection team sent to Delmas regrouped on the airfield about 3PM.  By then the airport team had arranged everyone’s services to be rendered, and our pharmacist, nurses and several logicians were already engaged at work. 

The surgical staff was assigned wound care, the cleaning and treatment of wounds, under the direcion of thoracic surgeon, John MacDonald from UM.  Dr. MacDonald is looking to the team to provide pracical recommendations for wound care protocols and jioy conmtents to be followed over the next few months in Haiti.  We were told to start at 8AM on the next morning.

Military and commercial aircraft shuttle supplies and refugees

After visiting the supply tent for food, hot meal was prepped and served in camp, showers taken, and a good night sleep awaited everyone at the end of the day. Oh, and we’re sleeping in the same tents described yesterday, provided by Rotary International in the Shelter Box…we have a place to stay and work that is safe until our departure in a couple of days.

Within feet of the hospital and special ops units, HIM team basecamp sets up at the airport to work....

Our need now is for comfort and peace for spirit and body of all we serve here in Haiti.  That God show his mercy by providing relief for those who clearly had little before the quakes and who suffer now so tragically, and for thanksgiving for taking us through the countryside and bringing us to the airport where the need is so great where our team is able to integrate and serve in the coming hours and days.

More photos

Doctors from HIM get briefed by Dr. Jiohn MacDonald on Wound Care protocols for the next morning - HIM will help to establish the procedjres to be followed by future teams

Destruction will eventually give way to reconstruction in Haiti, but this is the scene today.

The missionary and orphanage are given thousands of dollars in food and supplies after the HIM team relocates to the airport where their expetise is in greatest demand. The lack of security and a permit to establish a clinic prevent HIm from doing more in Delmas at this time.

Hill with the team from the US and Europe providing Shelter Boxes throughout Haiti and wherever tragedy may strike - a project of Rotary International...

(Pictures of sick and injured have been omitted out of respect for their dignity)

MILWAUKEE TO HAITI (Update: Jan 21, 2010)

PORT-AU-PRINCE – Today the team from HOPE INTERNATIONAL MINISTRIES went to a private hospital in PAP where  a team of Jamaican doctors and guardsmen had established a mecial beachhead minutes from tent city, the palace and the airport.

In the morning, our local missionary contact, Misha Chumbrau accompanied the team leaders to the  hospital, but before doing so, they oved the food to another location in the compund.  Unfortunately, the dozens, perhaps hundreds of refugees in this tiny orphanage saw the transport, and by 10AM expressed their hunger and thirst to those remaining in camp.  Even our guards did not prevent one local magistrate and her husband nor a village representative who had been educated in the US from entering, though they had orders emphasizing our need for isolation in the school building. 

Pastor Bob Ona spoke at length with the visitors, calming them down and delaying until our leaders returned from the hospital.  In the interim, Ken and Tim assembled a water purifier in the camp to produce clean water and bleach.  Nevertheless, the poverty which formed the pre-quake foundation of this community and nation leaves little internl strength and resources to overcome the ever-present threats from lacking food, water and medical attention. 

By the afternoon, the leaders had returned, and decisions made to equip 5 or 6 parties with a medic, nurse, radio and supplies for wound care.  The logistics people would make themselves available for anything that might arise, and as one might expect,  the road to the hospital had been blocked by consruction large equipment needed to remove the fallen structyures and debris. 

When we arrived, each group of specialists – logicians, nurses and doctors – were addressed by Jamaican surgeon McDowell who was in charge.  An orientation for each was given of the 2 operating room theatres – primitive by any standards, but suitable for the meatball style surgery which the team observed being practiced.  Amputations, wound care, and setting broken limbs were the prominent, as we saw gangrenous wounds – legs, feet, arms, hands – loaded with maggots.  Reports have been confirmed that this catastrophe has witnessed more amputations than any other time since World War I. 

One young girl of 15 years named Aniston Jennifer insisted that I take a picturew of her newly amputated limb.  I would not, but simply asked her how she felt and whether she believed in Jesus  she smiled and nodded, saying, “Yes.”  She was glad to be alive, as were most with whom I spoke in the hospital compound. 

During my early meandering, I met Sarah, with an international relief group.  She showed me the tent city kits provided by Rotary International as these were apparent throughout the hospital compound.  One kit, suitable for airdrop, contains a 10 person tent, pots/pans, tools (saw, hammer, pliers, etc), and many other things needed to establish a shelter for survival.   But these are not and cannot be considered anything but temporary as only a few feet away in the rear, piles of garbage, including medical waste, was piling up, blocked by a fallen building next door. 

The nurses went to work immediately, helping to organize the stockroom of supplies, while  the logiicians walked through with McDowell to see how things worked – a rudiomentary system was in place and people were being helped. 

The doctors also went to work – some in the surgical suite and others in the inbound triage areana near the front gate rendering whatever services the moment required. 

Even our translators – several young men from the village – were engaged for services throughout the hospital, linking French- and creole-speaking with those from Spanish and English countries.  

X-rays were being done a few minutes away in the Israeli camp. 

The hospital is not taking new patients in the evening due to curfew and caregiver safety issues; however, there is no doubt  that the international effort is working bit by bit despite cultural and linguistic obstacles. 

At this point, the team plans to return n Friday and continue to serve at this hoispital unless and until we are called elsewhere. 

Photos 

Hope International Ministries team meets at a breakfast consisting of fresh bread and oeanut butter.

Medical kits are assembled for wound care treatment by the team

Haitians are living on the street, afraid to go indoors with aftershocks

Debris is everywhere blocking roads and making delivery of staff and supplies difficult.

Bridges are damaged

Tent City downtown Port au Prince

Recovery operations like this are underway throughout the region - this one blocked us from getting to the hospital by a planned route

Hospital Entrance

"Recovery" Room - is there such a place anywhere in Haiti which can be called such?

otary International provides a 10-person tents, cooking and other tools, as well as coloring books and crayons for children to build tent cities on demand in times of crisis.

MILWAUKEE TO HAITI (Jan 20, 2010)

Morning meeting of Daty 3 as sunrise broke, the team got back on the road

JIMANI/CROIX DIEU – It is about 3:15 AM, and we were awakened by the sound of gunmfire in the streets nearby a short time agio.   After a long day of frusrtations with our drivers, border agents, and deplorable road conditions, we made it to Cois Dieu where a missionary (Michelle Chumbard) has been encamped in a school with a hundred or so orphans and a about 2 dozen adults.  His service here  of 13 years allowed him to receive the use of a school for temporary shelter, and as it has stood through 2 quakes, it serves as our place of rest this evening as well.

At the Dominican Haitian Border

MILWAUKEE TO HAITI (Jan 19-20, 2010)

Jason Lottermann of Calvary Chapel Fort Lauderdale lent a hand to transort the team and supplies to the airport.

FORT LAUDERDALE – The team assembled by Hope International Ministries rolled into Terminal 4 where Spirit airlines personnel warmly greeted and facilitated every need. 

With the attention of airport operations manager, Herb Sklar, consideration was given to accomodate every bag, box and nudle containing medicinal, surgical and live support suuplies.  Fees for extra bags and theircustomary weight lmits were waived for the team.

Medical Mission Members discuss planning details

Hope’s pastor Kurt Holthus, marshalled the team to prepare the baggage for check-in including the nearly 500 pounds of equipment and medicines donated by the New Berlin Fire Deprtament.  21 medical and paramedical professionals, including surgeons, nurses and technicians have been assembled by Hope International Ministries to respond to  the immediate and critical need of affected Haitians.

1/20/2010

We arrived this evening about 11:30 local time to find that 2 bags belonging to our team members did not make it.  One contained  clothing (of no import here), but the  other was full of IV suypplies and drugs from the pharmacist on the team.  Fortunately, the donation from New Berlin FD is sufficient for our needs, but we stopped by El Trinidad, a clinic associated with a church in Santo Domingo, and picked up IV fluids and such. 
 
Everything has been anything but on time; however, we have the mnister of international resources (foreign aid) with us, Dr. Estepa and her husband, in addition to several translators and local workers to assist us in this journey.

We have two convoy vehicles whch have handled all of the gear and supplies and the team of 20 (our anesthesiologist could not make it), and we are driving through the night to reach the Haitian border at Jimeni.  There we will be joined by the Dominican Republic’s army escort into the Haitian back-country to meet up with the US Army’s 82nd Airborne Division out of Fort Bragg,

….4:30AM Update (1/20/2010)
 
We have stopped driving in the mountains until sunrise, and everyone is getting a couple hours of much needed rest.  It is too dangerous according to Minister Estepa for the team to proceed until morning.

MILWAUKEE TO HAITI (Jan 18, 2010)

WI/GA/FL – Medical mission team members Basil Jackson and Dennis Hill landed at Ft Lauderdale’s airport just after midnight with the supplies for Haiti in tow.

Delays in Milwaukee for a crew on the first leg to Atlanta meant late arrival in Ft Lauderdale.  “Midwest airlines bent over backwards,” Hill reports.  “From the curb in Milwaukee toi the curb in Florida, everyone did everything possible to ensure the quickest transport.”

Operations personnel at Midwest in Milwaukee coordinated with counterparts at Delta in Atlanta and Florida to secure a change in flights when it became clear that the connecting flight would be missed.  Jennifer Stone, operations supervisor worked with Midwest operations manager, Jim Reichart, throughout the process.  Stone spoke with Hill about 6PM as he and Jackson sat waiting in the gate.  “You’ll arrive in Ft Lauderdale about 10 (PM), and I have you ticketed on a new flight in Atlanta which leaves at 10:45,” Stone said.

Meanwhile, the team received word that Pastor Jerome Spenser and the saints at New Beginnings Church in Waukesha will be preparing 500,000 meals to ship to Haiti.  It is hoped that these meals be used to feed the sick and injured in the hospitals which are overrun and equally desparate.  Karl Ralian is assisting Pastor Jerome and has considerable experience in provding emergency food and services, and he is painfully aware of the needs facing Haitians today.

“The sick and njured in the hospitals need food, too… critical nutrients to aid in proper healing process,” Ralian told the Christian Courier on Monday (1/18/2010) in a telephone interview. “In some parts of the world, hospitals don’t feed the patients, and some are simply too overwhelmed by the demands on their meager resources during disasters like this.

Once in Atlanta, the doctors were met by Delta operations supervisor, Rufus Bryant, who directed them to the tarmack to verify the bags and boxes for connection transfer.  Then, he whisked them across the airport in a van to the waiting 757 to Fort Lauderdale.

After landing in Florida at Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood Airport, a baggage handler, David Jean Louis, assisted in getting the supplies ready to take to the muster point at the Ramada.  Jean-Louis’ parents are Haitian, and his grandparents had been evacuated to Boston earlier in the week.

“Our prayers are with you,” Jean-Louis exclaimed a he loaded the van up.  A student at a local community college, he attends the Calvary Chapel in Fort Lauderdale and is majoring in hospitality industry.

The driver to the hotel was also Haitian, and named David, too.  The wirey man declined any help in unloading the supplies, as well as a customary gratiuity, saying only “I do this for me.  Thank you both. Thank you.”  He then hugged us as we went off to sleep and prepared for the day ahead.

Contributions and medical supplies: www.HopeInternationalMinistries.org

Food and Meal Preparations:  New Beginnings Church (Waukesha – Pastor Jerome Spenser 414-614-1093}

Filed 1/19/2010 7:30AM CST