Packed and ready for Haiti 2016!

The SBU DPT January 2016 Haiti team had their Bolivar group packing party recently. This team of 12 consists of 1 faculty member (Dr. McNeal), 4 SBU DPT alumni, 3 students (Class of 2016), and 4 non-medical volunteers. We have been abundantly blessed with donations of rehab and evangelistic supplies, and our program is always welcoming more donations for future trips.

This team leaves bright and early on January 1 for Haiti from several locations around the US. All of us will serve for the first week in Carrefour, then 5 of us will stay in Haiti another week to serve in northern Haiti with SBU alums and full-time Haiti missionaries Brett and Angie Bundy.

We will try to blog during the trip, but internet and electricity are luxuries that cannot be counted on in Haiti.  So, please be patient with us.  We will at least try to send word periodically that we are all alive and well.

Please keep us in your prayers for our safe travels, making our connecting flights, and that all of our supplies will arrive with us in Haiti. We look forward to bringing in the New Year with an adventure serving in Haiti!

Machu Picchu Day

Michu Picchu, it's the climb!!!!!!! We can really understand why it is one of the seven wonders of the world, it was absolutely breathtaking. Kyla, Bryce, and Rachel sprinted up to the Sun Gate and Kyla possibly tore her PCL. But she climbed up Waynapicchu, so we're pretty sure nothing is actually torn. Speaking of Waynapicchu, the top was the most beautiful thing we have ever seen! We were just amazed at God's beauty and His creation. How do people see this and not believe in His power?! And despite multiple asthma attacks Sarah made it to the top of Waynapiccchu, you go Glen Coco!! On the way down we made some new friends from New Zealand and Portugal, and A-A-Ron discussed gun control laws with the guy from New Zealand, his mind was blown. Kyla is a mountain goat, Rodney (A.K.A. Brownie, because no Peruvian can say Rodney) is the best tour guide ever, and Nicole rolled her ankle about 20 times, we're pretty sure she has no ligaments in her ankles. Everyone was really sad that we didn't get to pet a llama, so close,yet so far. A-A-Ron kept offering Bryce sunscreen, but he thought he was a man and that his skin is not affected by the sun like other mortal men, but he learned the hard way 

that when you play with fire you always get burnt. So another amazing meal at Toto's House! Alpaca is where it's at! It was so good it melted in your mouth. The sauces combined with the alpaca steak created a party in your mouth, a party like the world has never seen. It was invite only. Nicole was very excited when A-A-Ron brought back pumpkin lasagna from the buffet #BasicWhiteGirl. The ceviche (fish cooked in fruit acids like lemon, lime, and pepper) was also awesome! The rest of the day was filled with shopping and train rides and Nicole danced with clown on the train (not by her choice). Rachel's goal was to unfold every blanket in the market, she now has rotator cuff issues. Emma took so many pictures that we're pretty sure she know has carpal tunnel in her trigger finger. When Google crashes because of our drop box for pictures, you can blame Emma. We're on our way to Cusco to do more shopping before making our way back to the US, because Rachel has only bought gifts for herself so far. We are very sad that this is our last day in Peru, and we wish we had more time here. It was such a great a trip and it is something we will remember for the rest of our lives. Praise Jesus!

Machu Picchu Day Pictures

Saturday - Travel Day

Today we left Huyro, finished with the service portion of this adventure. We had our final breakfast with our MMI group and then got on a bus and headed to Ollantaytombo. The 3 hour drive to Ollantaytombo was very beautiful, we literally drove into the clouds! As we drove into the clouds we also found a part of the road that had broken off and had fell away making the the road basically one lane for our giant bus to get through. After arriving in Ollantaytombo we had to say goodbye to all our new friends before loading a train headed to Aguas Calientes. It was another pretty ride through the mountains and along the river. We also found out Bryce is a negotiating fiend and has no soul when it comes to bartering. Also we ate at Chez Maggy, a brick oven pizza joint. It was the best pizza we have ever had! Our eyes were rolled in the back of our heads with a little gasp of air full of complete satisfaction... It was great. It has been nice to finally have consistent hot water, electricity, and wifi that can't be knocked out by rain haha! We look forward to seeing Machu Picchu on Sunday.

P.S. Rodney decided to pay too much for a book about Machu Picchu and that's all he got off the train. A.K.A. No pass port in hand. In an effort to make sure Rodney got all of his belongings, we grabbed all of his stuff along with someone else's bag #GoodTimes

P.P.S. We still have not found the bottom of Bryce's stomach.

Pictures from Saturday

Friday's Pictures

Beginning of the End

Today was the beginning of the end. Not only was it our last day in the clinic, but two of our translators and friends (Julia and Alex) left after breakfast this morning (tears may have been shed).  Unfortunately, due to time constraints in the clinic, we were forced to turn away people who needed our help. On the bright side Bryce and A-A-Ron got to give away our wheel chair we brought over, to a man who possibly had cerebral palsy. Everyone in the clinic was putting the patients needs first today by being very flexible and making sure they all got the best care that they could. At the end of the day we had a closing ceremony with the mayor and his possey. The mayor was so overwhelmed with greatfullness towards us that tears were again shed. Tears were not shed however for our lunch, which consisted of duck and guinea pig (O.K. Nicole may have cried about the guinea pig). Anatomical lessons were also learned at lunch. Surprisingly guinea pig and human scapulas are quite similar (pictures to come). We then loaded up the bus, A.K.A. a sardine can on wheels,and headed to Quillabamba for their coffee, tea, and chocolate festival. At the festival friends were made, puppies were petted, and who says white people can't dance, because Rachel, Rodney, A-A-Ron and Nicole sure can. After demonstrating PT skills throughout the week, they were able to display their superior dance skills, much to the delight of the Peruvian crowd. America: 5, Peru: 0. Peru is still up 2-0 in food thanks to our lunch. Festival friends included young teenage girls practicing English, people wanting pictures with us, and a woman whose husband is from Farmington, Missouri!! Aaahhhh what a day! We are all very sad that our time here in Peru is almost up, because there are still so many in need of our assistance, but we thank God for the time He has given us here. Please continue to pray for the people of Peru, because there are so many here still in need of help. We leave you today as we continue our journey home in the sardine can, with sore butts, fist pumps, happy hearts, and more coffee than we can ever drink! 

P.S. Dr. McNeal will not be sleeping the rest of the semester with all the coffee you will have. 

P.P.S. Old Peruvian walking sticks are coming to a clinic near you.

P.P.P.S. Nicole and Kyla almost died and went to Heaven over the cuteness of the puppy. The puppy itself was so excited it piddled, which prompted A-A-Ron to say, 

"Hey! You can't pee there!"