By: Dan Merrefield 

  

     In the last issue of our newsletter, our founder and CEO, Dr. Oris Guillaume, laid out our priorities for 2013. The top priority is to start operating the medical clinic which we have had under construction for some time. Last year, we were able to nearly finish the physical facility. We have only a few things left to do now before it can open. Our objective is to have everything complete and operating before the second quarter of this year comes to an end.

     We have started the process of getting the necessary licensing from the Haitian government to operate. Additionally, our staff in Haiti is working with the electrical authority in order to get power to the facility. This can take a surprisingly long time, and power generation is intermittent. It is not unusual for power outages to last for weeks, and to be irregular through the day. For this reason, we are also working on a backup power source.

     Staffing is another need for the clinic, and we have started the process of identifying the right people. We initially will need a doctor, a nurse, and an administrator. Many doctors graduate from the university every year in Haiti, and we believe we can provide an opportunity for some of these new doctors to serve in the clinic.

     As we are coming down the home stretch, here is how you can pray for us:

• We need to acquire and install a quiet running backup generator.
• Installation of the pump in the well needs to be completed.
• Additional funding is needed to place our initial order for medications to stock the clinic, and then to keep it operating.
• A long list of medical equipment and supplies is needed for the opening. Another nonprofit has promised to supply the majority of what we need. Pray that this will be done soon and that we will be able to ship it to Haiti quickly.
• The medical staff needs to be identified and hired for opening.

     Once the clinic is operating, it will greatly expand our ministry reach not just in the city, but also in the rural areas where we work. Rural mobile clinics will continue into remote locations, and will become the primary responsibility of the clinic. We will continue to take visiting teams to the villages, but they will serve in more of a supporting role to the clinic.
     Once again, we are grateful to the support and prayers given by everyone which has brought us to this point. Please continue, and know that God is doing great things in Haiti!