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