back to Haiti!

It's true.

Lots of big changes happening around here. All good things, all in His good timing. For the extent of my little adventure here in Nashville, I have been working in a faith-based, not for profit, primary care clinic that serves patients who are working and do not have health insurance. I can't begin to tell you what an incredible blessing this job has been. From the way the job just sort of fell in my lap, the family of people I have come to love working with, the patients whose lives I've had the privelege to be a part of, to the many lessons I have learned that make me a better nurse, God has more than provided. And for that, I am eternally grateful.

With a heart full of bitter and sweet, my last day at this job is quickly approaching. In the back of my mind I have always known I would pursue an advanced practice degree, but about a year ago, I began to prayerfully consider a Master's program that would combine all of the things I loved about my current job, and the things I loved about what I get to do in Haiti. I went through all the fun stuff you have to do to go to grad school, turned in my applications and left for Haiti the next morning last November. I think I literally threw my hands up in the air and said "God this is all You." And I didn't spend another second worrying about it. Three months later I got a letter in the mail saying I had been accepted to the Vanderbilt University Family Nurse Practitioner and Midwifery (ya, get used to that fun little word) program. It was a good day.

Sooooo come August, this girl is going to be a full time student again. For two whole years. I'll be 26 when I'm done. Totally not freaking out about that. I'm trying to remind myself that this is not college round 2. Do you know how much I loved college? Because I really did. Anyway, I'm just excited. I love, and I mean reeeeally love my life here in Nashville and I'm thankful I get to still do life here and pursue my dreams of Family Practice and Midwifery (there's that word again).

Now how does going back to Haiti have anything to do with all that? Well, I'm taking the summer off. I'll be in Texas for 3 weeks for weddings and family va-cay. Then back to Nashville for a few days before heading to Haiti until mid August. I am overjoyed at the thought of spending extended time with my girls Lori & Licia, snuggling with all the sick little ones in the RC, helping out in the clinic, checking in on that whole cholera thing and praying nothing insane happens totally holding down the fort while Lori goes to the States for much needed R&R.

So, who wants to help me pack? Here is the current list of what I need to bring, I'll be updating more as we have needs:

Reli-ON glucose monitor strips - Confirm/Micro (can be bought at Wal-Mart)
internet cord - from box to computer
24 G catheters for IV use
burrete chambers for the preemie babies-the micro drip tubing
A& D ointment
triple Antibotic ointment
feeding tubes-size 8
Multivitamins
preemie clothes


Email me (cctigner at gmail dot com) and I'll send you my address if you want to mail me donated items, money or gift cards. Got stuff you think we could use? Questions? Thoughts? Comment or email me.

Y'all are stellar. Thanks in advance for the encouragement and support. It counts more than you can know to help the ones you aren't able to go to.

And some favorite shots, just because.















Love y'all.