My dads info from Haiti

My dad says he is having a lot of fun! He has been assigned to be the quartermaster, he checks tools and medical supplies in and out. He also has to keep track of where people go and are at all times. He has a lot of work keeping track of whats getting done, but likes the responsability.

These pics came from the Meridian magazie. It is online at meridianmagazine.com. It is a church magazine,and is covering the story.

Got to Haiti!

After my dad went and bought a new phone at Verizon wireless so that it would work in Haiti, it wouldn't work over in Haiti! Verizon forgot to activate the card so that it would work internationally! Finally after a few messages from his friend to his wife to my mom they got it all sorted out.
When they got to Haiti they decided to stay at an old abandoned sports stadium with running water!!! I will post more tonight when my dad calls.

My dads comments from his first day gone...

Day 1---Thursday Jan. 28th
On the plane. After four hours of waiting, visiting, and hugging we are almost on our way. This is no ordinary flight. At least if the last 5 minutes have been any indication. Pres. Studdert thanks us for being here. Then Senator Orin Hatch’s Secretary read us a letter that the senator addressed to the task force thanking us for the sacrifice we are making. Then a sister sang “Because I have been given much”. Really? I am returning to Haiti after 18 years and we get to hear my favorite hymn ever written. The one hymn that I actually wrote a verse in Haitian. I cannot hear that hymn and not think of the Haitian people. Then we all sang “Love One Another” and President Gary Worthington said the opening prayer. Only then did we get the safety announcement. We are in the air now 3 hours and 25 minutes to Orlando where we will refuel and confirm our spot at the Port au Prince airport. I am sitting next to Scott Hilton and Kathy Brown. Everyone who knows me knows that I do not talk on airplanes…I sleep…plain and simple…but not today. Stories of families, missions, wards and love are the call of the day. I know that at some point this will turn into a training session but not yet. We are just taking a moment to get to know our new “family”.
I Spent the last hour and a half teaching creole lessons. How cool is that? A bishop from Millcreek Utah and a retired nurse chatting in creole.

Finally able to leave...

They had planned on leaving on Wednesday, but they got delayed until Thursday. They had a meeting Wednesday night after finding out that they had to much weight to go on the plane. They asked for volunteers to stay back. Nobody stepped up to stay back, so they separated into groups, the construction workers, the doctors, and the French Creole speakers. They talked and tried to figure out who was needed most. they cut about 20 people last night and then cut different tools down as well. Then they find out they can not stay in the secured camp they planned on. They found another camp, that had no fresh water or security, that they decided to stay at. IN doing this they would have to take all of their own water. This cut down the amount of people that could go also. Plus this new camp that they are staying at is right by the airport, which is 6 miles from the hospital they are working on... they are going to get quite a bit of exercise! They finally flew out at 1:30pm this afternoon and plan to arrive in florida at 5:30. WE will be waiting for a call and will post more later.

Destroyed country

In the earthquake most of the city was destroyed, but there are 5 LDS buildings in the city and all of them have very little damage if any... they are making homes to volunteers and some haitians whos houses are destroyed. If you look at google earth it has been updated since the quake. It is pretty sad, everything is destroyed.

Getting started...

The earthquake in Haiti is the worst natural disaster in human history. They have a lot of groups from the U.S. going over to help out as much as possible to rebuild and help medically. My dad along with 150 other men from the group USAID are going to be on their way to Haiti. They are scheduled to leave Wednesday morning early with a layover in Florida. There are doctors, contractors and just people to help translate that have the chance to go. Most of the men going are priesthood holders from the LDS church. They will be sleeping in a field in tents incase of an aftershock, the fields are guarded with security. They are allowed one backpack to take for personal items. They are provided with a sleeping pad, blanket, tent and hygenic items. I will post information as i get updates from my dad.

Thanks for your support!