I am writing this as I am flying back from my business trip to California. It's time to start thinking about the week ahead, including leaving for Haiti on Friday. I  had the opportunity to visit Grace Cathedral while in San Francisco. For me, Grace is one of God's thin places. Walking the labyrinth is a sacred exercise. Going to Haiti is a  similar sacred journey for me.

I have been reflecting on the name we chose many years ago for our group, this blog, and now our non-profit in the making. Haiti Companions. I just looked at the dictionary for the definition of "companion". A companion is one who walks with or partners with another. A companion is a friend. We hope that we are establishing a relationship and a friendship with those that we serve and those with whom we work in Haiti. Because of the economic inequalities, the extreme differences in our life experiences,  and the language barriers, I sometimes wonder about this.

I am  confident, however, that the Americans on our team are companions for  one another. We are there to support each other as we prepare for our journey, during our trip, and then after as we  re-enter the excesses in the US. This trip, everyone on our American team has traveled to Haiti at  least once with us, and some have been with us many times. As in the past, we come from  around  the US, with various backgrounds, reasons for the journey, and goals for ourselves and our team. So, let me introduce the American members of our team to you:
Dr. Dianne Pizey, medical director and pediatrician extraordinaire - St. John's, Minneapolis
Dick Anderson, ace photographer and fabulous pharmacy worker - St. John's, Minneapolis
Rev. Ward Bauman, another fabulous pharmacy worker and director of the House of Prayer, MN
Cynthia Miller, RN, nurse,  pain therapist, acupuncturist, public health student, recorder of our patients' stories, pharmacy worker in a pinch - Minneapolis, MN
Darrell Martin, RN, nurse and Cynthia's companion in life, aka her husband
Terry Shively, DDS, dental director and  restorer of teeth and dental health - Spencer, Iowa
Stevie Shively, Terry's dental assistant and life companion, retired teacher - Spencer, Iowa
Jane Weist, Terry's other dental assistant - Spencer, Iowa
and me
Terry Franzen, lawyer, blogger,  and pharmacy worker - Christ Church, Norcross, GA

I hope that the Haitian members of our team view us as friends and colleagues. We certainly think of them in this way. We have worked with many of the Haitians for several years now. We have heard about and, in some cases, have met their children and spouses or girlfriends.   In a small way, we try to share their stories, and ask that they share ours. So, let me introduce them to you.
Pere Kerwin Delicat, our priest who serves 7 churches, Arch Deacon for the western and southern provinces of the  Episcopal Diocese of Haiti - Leogane and Port au Prince, Haiti
Rudolph Richeme, MD, orthopedic surgeon, Port au Prince
Myrline Richeme, RN, nurse and Rudolph's life companion, Port au Prince
Frantz Codio, MD, internist, Gressier
Charenne Codio, MD, internist (I think), our newest team member, Frantz's life companion, Gressier
Evens Joicin, RN, nurse, clinical director for FSIL (the  Episcopal Nursing School) provider of monthly follow up care for our patients, Leogane
Laguerre Guerry, optometrist, somewhere close to the border of the Dominican Republic
Valery and his team of translators (we won't know the team until we arrive), Leogane
FSIL Nursing Students whom we won't know until we arrive, Leogane
Maxo, lay leader at St. Joseph's, Jasmin
Elise, Maxo's life companion, clinic organizer, Jasmin
Joseph  LaBorde, lay leader at St. Phillippe and St. Jacques, Colin
Madame LaBorde, Joseph's life companion and amazing cook, Colin
Janine and her team at the guesthouse, cooks, housekeepers, shoppers, mousers, porters, and drivers  Leogane
Zo Cherie, driver to Jacmel, Port au Prince

And finally,
David Paige and Dr. Bob Sloane, the US guesthouse and team managers who facilitate our trips from afar.

I am sure there are some I have left out which I will try to make up for in later posts.

We could not make this trip without the donations of money for drugs, supplies and Haitian salaries, vitamins and other supplies, knitted and stitched dolls and bears, cloth bags for our patients' drugs, eye glasses, the hard work of so many who participate in fundraising for Haiti  Companions, and your prayers. Thanks to all of you who have contributed.

And to the One who makes all things possible.


Terry