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Zanesville Medical Mission
9-16 January 2012
Zanesville Medical Mission (ZMM) is a talented group of folks who give of their time to provide surgical services to folks who would otherwise likely go without. Their trip to Hopital Evangelique de Bombardopolis (HEB) in January 2012 marked the team's 7th trip to Haiti and 3rd to HEB. Their coming to HEB is especially beneficial as the folks here would have been hard-pressed to receive the surgery they needed without ZMM's donation of talent and time.
ZMM consists of Dr. Tom Diehl, MD surgeon, Sherry Diehl, who made sure that all the equipment was sterilized, among other things, Thom Saarie, CRNA, who provided the anesthesia, Ruth Bugglin, RN and Patty Frame, RN, both operating room nurses with lots of experience, Lisa Dodson, RN, also an OR nurse who did all the preparation of the patients and who also works tirelessly in the months before such a trip to procure all the necessary equipment, Jeff Dodson, who helped wherever needed, and John Benson, a long time friend and board member who came to help with logistics and hung doors for the hospital addition and built cabinets for it while he was here.
Some of the surgeries they performed this time were life changing: large lipomas that both look bad and can inhibit movement, abdominal hernias that curtail day to day activity. At least one was life saving as it involved a hernia that had begun to strangulate the bowel. Either way the outcome was an enhanced quality of life and a tangible demonstration of God's love and care.
It was just so refreshing to spend time with a group of folks who came to serve and were so totally dedicated to the Lord and flexible in their plans. We shared all of our meals together. They gladly pitched in wherever they could help, I have to say it was the first time I ever saw a surgeon do dishes.
Please pray for the folks of ZMM, we hope that they will be able to return soon. We and the people we serve are so fortunate to have them involved.
- Dan
Read team reports from Dr. Tom Deihl and Sherry Diehl below the photo gallery.Click on thumbnail images to view larger images / slideshow.
Team Reports
My thought are so many, its hard to say them all. I will tell you I was struck by the beauty that surrounds you in Bombard. The people, the sky at night. To see how God continues to bless us in the midst of poverty. The early morning wake up, that sounded so beautiful it brought tears to my eyes. The choir singing at 4 in the morning. Recognizing the melody of some of the songs, gave me hope for the people of Haiti. Thank you for your desire to serve God in Haiti.
Blessings to you,
Ruth Bugglin
Reflections On January 2012 Zanesville Medical Mission to IMF Hospital Bombardoplois Haiti
Mark 12:29-31 ---The Lord our God is one Lord and you shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and all your soul, and with all your mind, and with all your strength. The second is this,"You shall love your neighbor as yourself." "There is no other commandment greater than these."
People ask me "Why do you go to Haiti? Why don't you volunteer your services at home?" So many ways to respond to that. Bottom line—I feel honored to be a part of a medical team providing the only surgical services available to people who make some of the American poor look like kings. In America, there is always access to health care if you need it. In Bombardopolis, IMF Hospital Evangelique is the sole source available.
Throughout my career as a nurse anesthetist I have felt called to give back to my neighbors who are less fortunate than myself. 3 years ago I was given the perfect opportunity when Mike Hoffer recruited me to join the Zanesville Medical Mission team on their trip to Bombardopolis. This year I was fortunate to be able to return again. While none of the surgeries were quite as dramatic as our c-section 3 years ago, we operated on nearly 30 people and made a difference in their quality of life.
To love our neighbor as ourself, we can give of our time, talent, or treasure. I feel by coming with the Zanesville Medical Mission I can give a little bit of each. On each trip I make, I receive so much more than I give. I am awakened to all the things we take for granted in the US; freely running water on demand being on the top of the list. I am touched by the gratitude of all the people we operate on during our short stay. I get to make new friendships with the the Beardsleys, renew old friendships with the Leaches and all the ZMM members, and marvel at the beauty of the night time skies untouched by light pollution. It is truly a pleasure and an honor to come to IMF Hospital Evangelique and I thank you for allowing me to follow our Lords greatest commandments.
Yours in Christ,
Thom Saarie, CRNA
It had been several years since I had been to Bombard. Having sent several containers with stuff needed it was great to see the fence and how it has made a difference in the compound. When I come down to work, it is usually a project that Mr. Steve needs help with but what he doesn't realize is that it is a time for me to give back to God. I see where I have come from and by God's grace I have been given a second chance to further His Kingdom by coming along side of great people who serve a Great God. I am always amazed at what has been done and what is projected to happen there in that little town, all because of God and His servants Steve and Faith and now along with Dan and Sharon. This trip was all about surgeries and medical stuff. I did some minor carpentry and cabinetry but for the most part, I played. The two little girls (sisters) on the campus made my day every morning by coming to the house and saying "Mesa Mi" which, every time I heard it, tickled me so much. The chance to sit and hug and kiss those little girls who only wanted attention and love with an occasional couple of bananas made it all worth while. My eyes water as I type this, as Faith told me their prognosis and what their future holds. I wish I could do more, I wish I could go more, I wish I could change those little girls outlook, but I can't. God knows and He is able to make sure those girls are taken care of, through Mr Steve and Faith and Dan and Sharon. I appreciate our missionaries and their hospitality and graciousness for letting me be a part of their ministry serving God in Bombardopolis. Not a day goes by that my mind doesn't wander off to Bombard and God's work there. That ten mile ride to Mole to catch the airplane on the four wheeler was a great way to end my trip.
Thanks for all you do.
Pray everyday for our missionaries.
Big Kahuna (John Benson)
Once again our surgical team experienced great blessings in Haiti. Our trips down and back to the states went smoothly and the surgeries went well and, as far as I know the patients are all doing well. We did three minor procedures and 27 surgeries during the 5 days we spent operating. We enjoyed seeing Steve and Faith again and meeting and fellowshipping with Dan and Sharon Beardsley for the first time in person. As in all our previous trips the blessings I received and the growth in faith I experienced far exceeded anything I may have expected ( or even wanted as you will read). We arrived in Bombard late Monday and started doing surgery on Tuesday. My wife, Sherry, was part of the team working doing instrument sterilization. On Thursday she began to experience symptoms of conjunctivitis in her right eye and started some antibiotic drops but by Friday she had had a severe decrease in her vision in that eye and could only see light, dark and some shadows. This obviously caused some concern but we stayed until Monday as planned and put it in God's hands (with some trepidation). She is doing well now and her sight is slowly returning. The blessing is twofold. One- I learned a little bit more about trusting God in all circumstances. Secondly- Sherry's ophthalmologist at home says she is going to approach several companies that make antibiotics about sending samples to Haiti. God is at work even and perhaps especially in our trials.
In Christ,
Tom Diehl
It was a blessing to be a part of the medical team. By cleaning and sterilizing the surgical instruments, it freed up a nurse to help in surgery and helped things to moved more efficiently. I was glad to have a way to serve in this way. The time I spent with the Haitian patients, the children and with Steve, Faith, Dan and Sharon will be memories that I treasure until I am able to make a return trip.
Sherry Diehl
