Haiti - Day 4

The group spent some time providing healthcare to patients in a hospital today. Kim helped treat a woman with a fractured pelvis and a shattered leg. Resetting bone, and tearing off bandages that should have been removed days before were prime example of the pain tolerance that the people in Haiti have. The woman clenched the hospital bed sheets and barely grimaced at procedures that would have sent most Americans over the edge in agony. The translator told Kim that the suffering woman liked gospel music, which inspired Kim to sing some spiritual well-knowns such as "Amazing Grace". The woman raised one hand in the air and swayed it back and forth to the melodious tone of her nurse's voice. After the procedure, and after the much needed pain killers had kicked in, the woman pointed at Kim and the translator, then pointed at the sky and exclaimed "mèsi Sister Kim", meaning "thank you".

At the end of the day, many of the volunteers were able to enjoy a "fantastic" cold shower. The days in Haiti are hot and humid, and missing a shower for several days had resulted in the layering of "sun screen, bug spray, sweat, dirt, sun screen, bug spray, sweat, dirt . . . " described Kim. It was very refreshing for her to wash off the four days worth of "layers" in preparation for the many more to come.

Haiti - Day 3

Today the group went to an LDS church stake center to provide general medical care to those in need in the area. The building stood strong and sturdy as others around it were crumbling to the ground. Whether it's because of quality architecture, construction, and materials, or the good Lord putting forth a hand of protection for the buildings that his people gather together to worship in, it's amazing to see how many LDS structures are still standing after the devastation of the quakes. While at the stake center the group helped diagnose anxious patients and provided treatment such as prescribing medication and stitching open wounds. Nothing too serious, but the medical care was greatly appreciated.

One of the other highlights of the day included visiting with locals at one of the "tent cities", and seeing and being with all of the beautiful Hatian children. Kim also had the opportunity to accompany a doctor up to the hospital of "Doctors Without Borders" to talk to a woman that had visited the camp the night before looking for assistance delivering a baby. As they met with the mother and her new born, the woman proclaimed "Jesus was my help", regarding the delivery.

Back at camp, Kim sang with a Hatian band and followed up by preparing sacrament hymns and a musical number for the next day's church services. The days can be a little warm and discomforting, but at the time I last spoke to her, she was happy, healthy, and was enjoying the cool Haiti breeze that was blowing through the camp as the day's service quickly came to an end.

Haitian Orphans

From Dawn to Dusk today's focus was on rescuing malnutritioned and emotionally distraught Haitian orphans and bringing them back to the states where they have a chance at living a happy, healthy, and fulfilling life. It was nothing short of a miracle that approval was granted by the Haitian Prime Minister to release these children to their anxiously awaiting adoptive parents back in Utah. This, for sure, was a result of many prayers offered here and afar. Emotions ran high as we spent several hours playing, comforting, and being with these precious children. It was heartbreaking to witness the pain and despair as some siblings, where one child had to be left behind, were split apart and separated. None the less, we helped the 66 fussy, confused babies into the plain where they, along with only two adults and the flight crew, would be traveling away from the nightmarish world they were so accustomed to, and arrive at a place that they could not even dream existed. We are so blessed to live in the conditions that we do.

Special recognition should be given to Sun Country Airlines for going out of their way and delaying their departure by several hours in order for proper approval and authorization to be given to release the Orphans.

Haiti Arrival

The Utah Hospital Task Force Emergency Mission to Haiti landed safely this evening despite zero visibility to the landing pad. We are guests of the 87th Airborne, consisting of quite a few security and military personnel, and are currently waiting to be transported a few miles from the landing spot where they will be spending the night. Other than the meeting of Steve Studdert, the director of the relief efforts, with the Haitian prime minister tomorrow regarding the transport of 121 orphans, we have little knowledge of what is to be expected. Military Humvees are transporting approximately 20 individuals at a time to the camp spot, temporarily leaving some of us waiting to rest on our backpacks, looking up at the full moon, and enjoying the warm Haitian weather. The group is experiencing feelings of high hope, faith, and a sense of peace and happiness as we try to prepare for the "unknown" that is going to occur over the next two weeks.

Spirits were lifted and all were reminded of what they have to be grateful for as I sang "Because I have Been Given Much" to the group, and as we all joined together singing "As I Have Loved You" during the long plain ride over to the desolate and destitute people of Haiti.

January 12, 2010: The worst natural disaster in the history of mankind hits the impoverished nation of HAITI . . .

January 28, 2010: I'm heading straight into the heart of it.

I have been selected to join a group called the Utah Hospital Task Force, a coalition of the LDS church and U.S. Government. We will be rebuilding the "Doctors without Borders" Hospital and as an RN I will help to treat patients there. A few words from my leaders:

"We want you to be fully mindful that this task force is heading into extremely harsh and worsening conditions, with high temperatures and high humidity, where resources are essentially non-existent and astounding challenges are innumerable. There is disease, sickness, and dangerous conditions. With the terrible conditions present, you are likely to see much death all around us. You need to be fully aware that the conditions are EXTREMELY poor and if this makes you leery or uncomfortable at all, we ask that you consider withdrawing your name from the list. This is not a touchy feel-good mission. Please be aware of this. This is not an easy or comfortable trip; it will be physically demanding and uncomfortable. Theft is rampant. Circumstances change by the hour. . . Do not forget that everything we will do will be done in the worst natural disaster suffered by humans in recorded history. Dr. Jeff Randle, founder of Healing Hands for Haiti, says the conditions are brutally harsh like nothing any of us have ever experienced. It will take all the faith and courage that we in the covenant can save lives and improve conditions for these suffering sons and daughters of God."

BRING IT ON!!!!!!!!

I cherish and look forward to this opportunity. Understand, it doesn't come without fear or hesitation...I only hope I can exude all the faith and courage from my heart to those suffering ones I will shortly be amongst.. they need all the help they can get. Please keep them in your prayers! Couple that prayer with action by donating to our cause:

Utah Hospital Task Force is inneed of donations to fund
additional planes to send relief to Haiti -
see http://www.utahhospitaltaskforce.org for details on the project.
Donations can be made at http://www.healinghandsforhaiti.org
- during the payment process please click on the
“Add Special Instructions to Seller”
and note that the donation isfor Utah Hospital Task Force.

I have been chosen to be in the first plane to leave, but there are many more willing and qualified individuals who would like to go, but funding depends on your generous donations.

I am grateful for a nation and a religion who are willing to give services and funds to help those in need all over the world. Mostly, I am grateful to a God who is mindful of His people everywhere:

"God is mindful of every people whatsoever land they may be in; yea,
he numbereth his people, and his bowels of mercy are over all the earth.
Now this is my joy and my great thanksgiving."- Alma 26:37

Despite the great suffering, I know this to be true. It is also my joy. Thanks be to God for His plan of happiness and Salvation that helps us to endure and have perspective beyond tragedy. I pray I may be an instrument in His hands always to bring this knowledge and hope to others. This will continue to be my prayer.

Kimberly Roderick, RN

2009 - HIGHLIGHTS

JANUARY

C.C. & her Hilo's SWEPT Region. So proud we had to make a C.C. sandwich!!

FEBRUARY



Farewell to Matthew at the MTC.. headed for Torreon Mexico. Notice the dork dot..

MARCH

Sister Madi's Chilean farewell with my besties! Love these girls.

(see the Viva Peru post for other March highlights)

APRIL

I was a chaperone (as old as that makes me sound) for LHS Choir kids in HAWAII! Despite some minor teen diva drama, it was a beautiful trip.

MAY


Ogden Institute Tour.. $100.
Glamour shot session in our royal purple outfits.. priceless.

(For more May highlights- see my China section - previous post)

JUNE


Nothing quite like Christmas in June.. especially when you are working a promo for Disney!

JULY

Won a generous, all expense paid trip to NYC from Hale Centre Theatre! We saw The Little Mermaid, Next to Normal, West Side Story, and in D.C. with our bro Justy- The Color Purple.

AUGUST

Fantastic Vegas roadtrip with two of my favorite boys in the whole world!!!

SEPTEMBER

Became (deaf-blind) school nurse and family friend of one of God's precious angels. Miss you Dulce, baby!

OCTOBER

I had the fantastic opportunity to play Eva Duarte in 'EVITA' at RODGERS MEMORIAL THEATER. Such a phenomenal cast of truly kind people.

NOVEMBER

Opening my mission call.. Hungary Budapest, baby!! My Mom's face is classic.

DECEMBER

Sleigh bells ring are you listenin.. the Sun Valley snow it is glistenin!

HAPPY NEW YEAR!!!

You have no idea how much of a miracle it is to get us all in a picture together.. so we'll forgive the R.P.T...

2009-filled with adventure, friends, family, joy...
I am so grateful for my countless blessings
of which these photos merely touch.......
Life is good & the future is BRIGHT!!!