Unwinding and gearing up at the same time

How do we unwind and gear up at the same time? Well, it has been an interesting couple of days at our home. David has been relaxing and resting, talking, speaking to reporters, catching up on emails, beginning to look through the thousands of photographs he came home with. I have been tying up a few loose ends before heading out tomorrow for Haiti. Thankfully, my bags have been packed for a while because I thought I might be joining David. 
We have talked, taken a couple of walks, slept in, talked, done errands, visited with friends, talked, called family, prayed, laughed and did I say talked? Pretty much done everything we can to savor these couple of days we are both in Sisters at the same time.
We enjoy the life God has given us and press into Him.

On a different note, here is an interview recorded yesterday:
Interview for Ephesians Vision Ministries

Heading out

As I write this, David is in the middle of his third interview of the day. It is good hearing him talk about his experiences in Haiti. It is good seeing him face to face. To see for myself that he is well. To be with him.
This morning as were preparing for the television crews, I received a formal invitation from Samaritan's Purse to go to Haiti. Soon. The day after tomorrow, on Friday the 19th. They needed an answer as soon as possible as they needed to fill the vacancy today.  
What to say? The timing is crazy. I long to go, but David just got home! My bags are packed, my passport and shots are current. I have already printed off a cheat sheet of medical Creole to review on the plane. The freezer and pantry are even well stocked. 
David's response? "There is no reason you should not go. I think you should go." My mom is in shock, but agrees; of course I should go. Our son Nate, a senior in high school, is excited for me. Our son Josh wants to come home from college to see me before I leave.
So, I now have my itinerary and leave at 6 am Friday morning. And what will I do? I will join two Family Practice physicians and two other nurses at the Samaritan's Purse clinic set up in Cite Soleil, Port-au-Prince's largest slum. They have been seeing on average, 100 people a day. 
I will stay at the mission compound that was David's home while he was there. I will greet the ladies in the dining room who doted on him. I will revisit the capitol city where David romanced me. I will sweat, put in long hours, probably shed some tears for the Haitian people, pray a lot and expect to see God work.
An opportunity I am excited and at peace about accepting. I value your prayers!
God is good. God is able.

Going forward

David is back in Sisters. So good to be reunited, see his smile, hear his stories. In the days ahead he will have many opportunities to talk about Haiti and what it means to him that he could be there when he was. We will talk and pray about some options for us to return to the land where we met. We will consider how soon, how long, in what capacity. 
We want to be wise as we proceed. Here is the closing paragraph from an article in Christianity Today. It really speaks to this desire to be wise as we go forward.

Thus, in this moment—stirred as we are by Haiti's pain, and freshly reminded of the hazards of poorly-directed zeal—the most significant reminder is that knowledge-guided love is always needful. The emotion we're feeling is one that can be acted upon for the rest of our lives. Amidst the current crisis, we must help as best we can: giving generously, praying seriously, and even working on the ground alongside trustworthy organizations and local churches. Meanwhile, it's never too early to begin readying ourselves for a longer journey, joining passion with preparedness, and compassion with commitment, to serve wisely and well for the distance. Strong on Zeal, Thin on Knowledge

Adjusting

I have been reading about the reality of nursing and midwifery in Haiti over the past month. It takes me back to some of the emergencies, trauma and complicated deliveries I attended while living there, more than 20 years ago. Working in these conditions means laying aside our American standard and sense of entitlement.When a delay in reaching medical care is coupled with limited resources, a challenging condition can quickly deteriorate. Add to that the overwhelming poverty and malnutrition of the population being served, and you can quickly become depleted, disillusioned and down-hearted. 
I read with compassion Desiree's blog as she tenderly expresses her broken heart for the countless women she served with what little supplies she had at hand. Some Time for Haiti
When I look back on my time in Haiti all those years ago, I wouldn't trade it for anything. I think I am better prepared now if I should return. Deeper is my faith in Jesus Christ to redeem any situation, to transform an apparently hopeless situation by the power of His loving Spirit, and the need to lay aside any of my own expectations and agenda and take up His.

"An Incredible Day in the History of Haiti"

An engineer for Radio Lumiere and is still active as a volunteer engineer, is in Haiti; he wrote the following report, dated yesterday, February 12, 2010.

Subject: An Incredible Day in the History of Haiti

I think that I will remember this day as one of the most significant in my life, not because of what I did,  but for it's meaning. In fact, what I did today was insignificant, and may have even distracted from me fully engaging in the day.

"Not sure I would go to Haiti"

Over the last few weeks, many people have said they totally understand why David left for Haiti as soon as he had the chance. Several others have not been surprised that if given the chance, I would also go in  a heartbeat. A few people have said that while they appreciate our desire to go to Haiti, they are not so sure they could themselves go. Understandable. We are all wired differently and have different gifts and talents.
This blog entry from CNN Chief Medical Correspondent, Dr. Sanjay Gupta expresses something of our desire to go to Haiti at this time in her history.
Returning to Haiti. Tipping the scales of faith.

Heading home

David in his element in Ethiopia, November, 2009

David is heading home. Well, at least he is heading back to Sisters. He flies out of Haiti on next Monday and arrives in Sisters some time on Tuesday.

As we regroup and evaluate how the Uttley family will continue to be involved in the story of Haiti, we have to thank  anyone who has been following our story within a story. 

If I have one request, it is this: don't forget Haiti. I will continue posting to this blog in an attempt to keep the interest in Haiti's recovery alive.

There is much yet to be done. But we serve an awesome God. A God who is able.

Another David

Out of the Rubble: In Memory of David Hames

We never met. I don't know his wife or kids. But as I followed the story of this man and the ones he loved, I've been reminded how precious our relationships are and how easy it is to take our loved ones for granted.