Sunnybrook Team Feb 2011

Submitted by Dean Van Roekel

Promise for Haiti Survey

1. Please give a narrative description of your trip include in it how many members accompanied you on this trip; what was the purpose/ goals of your trip? What was accomplished, what may need to be done.

This years Sunnybrook Haiti Mission team consisted of 15 people. Eight were first timers which is always exciting. This was our 11th year of our partnership with PFH. Sunnybrook is dedicated to offering Sunnybrook members a short term mission experience in a third world country. Not only to experience another culture but for most it is a life changing experience. It also helps expand our support base for Haiti Missions. Our trip is part work and part experiential. We laid tile in the Drs. and nurse's dorms, distributed rice/beans to the "poorest of the poor" in the Pignon area. We support the elementary school at Guimby and spent a day with the kids and family members we have come to know over the years. We worship at a Haitian church on Sunday and have a meal with them after the service. We hadn't been for two years because of the earth quake so we spent time catching up with our Haitian families and friends. Our trip was very successful with few bumps along the way. Spent time with Jared and Stacey Nikkel and got to know them a little better. We had a member of our team that can compete with Jared with his famous peacock call! Pignon is changing rapidly with the paving project. It will be exciting to see how much development will follow. Spent some time with Dr. Guy and the hospital administration and enjoyed the meal Dr. Guy serves up at his house. We have scheduled our next trip for January next year and hope to expand our teams to two weeks.

2.How did you travel to Pignon? Were there any problems with your flight and or arrangement? Do you have any suggestions to make this an easier process?

We used Continental to get to Florida and MFI to Pignon and back. Didn't have any problems with travel. We always try to take a southern route to FL. to eliminate weather problems. Restricts our options but very little trouble with weather over the years. MFI is always a treat and we appreciate their committment to Haiti as well.

3. What were your lodging arrangements while in Pignon? MN dorm? Iowa dorm? Other?? Any suggestions? Recommendations? Did you have any problems? Do you have any hints or notes you want to pass on to other teams?

We stayed in the MN dorm. We prefer that to the other accomodations we've tried in Pignon. A little more peace and quiet available inside the compound. We did not have any hot water so showers were cold and short. Asked Jared if he could fix the problem but didn't get the job done. We would really like that to be addressed before next year's trip. Typical gastro problems but only part of the team.

4.Is there information you would like passed on to the next team that is scheduled.
Continue on with the dorm projects so we can get that completed before we start any other new projects. I think that is top priority to retain staff. Hopefully after things settle down at the hospital we will get back to some of our other projects.

5.Did you have any problems issues, occurrences that need to be addressed by the hospital or the Board?

No....we have gotten to know the staff over the years and we are able to work out team issues as they arrise. The administration is always willing to help us in addition to doing their regular jobs. Jared and Zeke attended to our work and travel needs.

6. Anything else you would like to share about your trip?

Be patient...patient...patient...flexible...flexible...flexible and you will have a better experience. Allow time to adjust to Haiti time. Take time to get to know the people and culture. Be open to the leading of the Holy Spirit. God has a plan and purpose for our work in Haiti. You may not see immediate change but over the years it has been significant! I thank God that he has allowed me to be a part of this mission.