As many of you were, both Garrett and I were sickened by the earthquake in Haiti and heartbroken over the devastating stories and images we saw on TV. He first received an email within CISCO asking if anyone spoke french or creole. He replied and indicated that he spoke french and some creole (he had a Haitian companion on his LDS mission in Paris, France). I guess that got the ball rolling. From there, he made contact after contact of possible ways he could help in Haiti. Eventually, through the contacts of a few different people and one close friend (Jake Abhau, who sadly did not get picked to go), he was chosen to accompany the Utah Hospital Task Force in conjunction with Healing Hands for Haiti relief team. He got the call Saturday night and was on a plane Wednesday to SLC and in the air to Haiti Thursday. He scrambled getting supplies, immunizations, medicines, and work responsibilities taken care of (which, by the way, has been supportive and willing to let him take the time off for the good of the cause).
When he arrived in SLC and attended the mandatory meeting, they were cutting the team by 25 people and required that each of their packs were to be only 25 pounds to make room for as many supplies as possible. They will be camping in the worst conditions, "roughing it" doesn't even cover it, eating 1500 calories a day between MRE's and energy bars, no running water, and no electricity.
He called me when they landed in Haiti (Verizon gave him a phone free of charge to use down there because he was going on a relief team). Our conversation was brief, but I was super glad to hear his voice.
Another one of our family goals this year was to do more service and find ways that we could reach out to others. I am not sure if this is what we had in mind...I think this may cover us for the whole year! But, there is amazing joy in serving others.
For more information on the task force and updates...
2 comments:
That is so cool of Garrett to be able to do this as well as your family's sacrifice as well. Keep up the good work and blog info. It's great.
Brigette, thanks for sharing this! So touching, Garrett is lucky he was able to be a part of this! Such great sacrifices for your family, but what great joy! Can't wait to hear more in May. Keep updating, very compelling!
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