Day 4

Wednesday:  Another day of clinics.  This time we worked a lot more cattle!  No shoots in Haiti, so we tied the cows head to trees and worked fast.  Some memebers of the group (not me) had a few close calls on kicks but we all made it out unharmed. I also had the opportunity to castrate a goat and clean a wound on a donkey from where the owners had sliced with a machete when the donkey had gotten into the garden. While we worked on cattle the kids from the village all gathered around and we had the opportunity to play and give them gifts.  This afternoon and tonight we are relaxing back at the guest house after three long days of showing Gods love to the people of Haiti.  

Day 3

Tuesday:  We held a clinic at the Citidal, which was a fort the Haitians built after their indepence from France in the 1820's which is now a tourist attraction.  They have recently started to have horse back rides to the top and the horses were in bad shape.  Luckily with Dr. Kelly's help they are in much better shape.  We revaccinated and dewormed the horses, as well as more cattle, goats and chickens.   In the afternoon we traveled to a nearby orphanage to spay a dog and cat.  One of the other girls and I spayed the cat, who ironically was owned by a couple who were missionaries there originally from Sutton!! 

Day 2 & 3

Sunday:  We went to an English speaking church in the morning, had an awesome time worshiping with our Haitian brothers and sisters in Christ.   After church we took off and headed north from Porta Prince to Cap'haitien.  

Monday: Today was awesome!  We held a clinic in Mailot, where local people brought all of their animals for us to help.  We saw cattle, horses, pigs, dogs, cats, rabbits, chickens, and ducks.  We give all of them all rabies vaccines and dewormer.  Also performed my first ever pig castration on a fairly good sized boar. 
I am loving my time here, even if I am sweaty and covered in sticky bug spray all day every day.   Keep up the prayers! 

Day 1

Arrived safely in Haiti yesterday afternoon.  When they all tell you it's like a completely different country, they arn't kidding.  As much as we in America think we know about poverty, no pictures, documentories or books can prepare you for the actual experience. 
It has been a great experience so far, getting to meet Dr. Kelly is awesome.  She is so strong in her faith and compassionate for these people its amazing.  
Today we had a spay and neuter clinic where we spayed 6 females and neutered 4 male dogs.  Mind you this was done on the tailgate of the truck by 6 veterinary students.  I did my first ever dog castration and half of a spay.  Rocked some subcuticular sutures!  Very thankful for my UNL education and suturing real tissue before today. 
Tomorrow we are going to attend the local church and then drive 5 hours to northern Haiti.  We will spend three days in the northern part of the island working on livestock, along with some horses and more dogs.  
Thank you for your prayers.  Keep them coming! 

Up, up and away

Not sure why the airport thinks you need to be checked in at 4:00 am for a 6:00 am flight, but never the less I am waiting to board in Epply.   I have several stops today including Dallas and Miami before finally reaching Porta Prince this afternoon. 
Thank you to everyone that has helped me come this far and for your prayers!  Keep them coming, going to need them more than ever this week.  

Moving Forward

Passport - check.  Vaccines - check.  Plane Tickets - check.

Since it is officially summer I can now start concentrating on preparing for my trip.  It wasn't until I was walking up the stairs of my apartment after my last final of the year that the realization hit me I will be in Haiti in about a month!
I deeply appreciate all of the people that have given donations to support me.  If you still want to give I am still in need of some funds, especially since my plane ticket is going to be more expensive than previously expected.

Please keep me in your thoughts and prayers as I continue to prepare my heart to serve the people of Haiti.

First One!

Welcome to the world of blogging.
Well, that was much easier than I was expecting!  I decided that I would start a blog about my trip to Haiti this summer.  I felt it would be a good way to let people keep up with my preparation and activities while I am there.... here we go.
For those that I haven't told I have an amazing opportunity to go to Haiti this summer (June 28-July 5) with a group from LSU Veterinary school and Christian Veterinary Mission (CVM).   I am both anxious and excited about all of the preparation and the trip itself, but I know that the Lord has lead me to this place and in my heart I know it is where I am called to be.
I ask all of those that read this to please take a moment an pray.  Pray for my preparation, travel, and impact we will have in Haiti!

-Karla

Below is my Support letter if you want to read more about my trip, what to pray for and how to give financial support!

Greetings Friends and Family!

            As you know, I have been intensely studying for almost two years now of veterinary school at the Professional Program of Veterinary Medicine between the University of Lincoln and Iowa State’s School of Veterinary Medicine.  The time has been an extremely hard but very rewarding journey, and I know the next two years will be as well. 

Mission work has always been something on my heart, being able to serve others and show them God’s love.  Now, being in a professional program, the windows of opportunities to serve the Lord outside of school are slim.  However, I have been blessed beyond belief to be able to join a mission trip to Haiti along with five other veterinary students from LSU’s Christian Veterinary Mission fellowship group, serving from June 28 to July 5.

I am excited about what God is going to do in my life and in other people's lives through this summer ministry.  We will be flying to Port Au Prince then driving to the village where we will join a veterinarian who has committed her life to the mission field.  While in Haiti, we will travel to various villages and help the locals with their herds (mostly goats and sheep).  Our main job is to promote herd health, like vaccinating, deworming, trimming hooves, neutering, etc.

The Haitians rely on their herds not only for income but to sustain their everyday lives.  As you know, Haiti is a nation of extreme poverty, so it is very difficult for the people to maintain healthy herds and seek veterinary help.  We hope to help sustain their livelihood and make their herds more productive, while also sharing God’s love and ministering to them.

With this great opportunity to serve the Lord, also comes great expense.  The cost of this trip is about $1,800, and any donations that you contribute will help us with the Lord’s ministry and will be greatly appreciated.  Also, our team will certainly need prayer! Please pray for trip preparations, both in logistics and readying our hearts to serve, safe travel and that while in Haiti that the Lord will guide our hands to help the people and therefore enable us to best serve Him on this mission trip.

For those interested in keeping up on the daily activities while we are in Haiti we will be sending daily newsletters.  If you could please provide me with your email I would love to share our many adventures with you! 

                                                                                                                                  

Many thanks in advance for helping me and being a part of this awesome opportunity!     

Donations:

Please make checks out to

Christian Veterinary Mission

(Subject Line:  Karla Buller UCVSTM1730)
Send to:  Christian Veterinary Mission

19303 Fremont Ave. North 
Seattle, WA 98133

Go Online:  http://www.cvmusa.org/

Then at the top go to Support > Short Term Missions.  Click on the “Individual” button.  

Fill in the Designation box with a drop-down menu to “other”. 

A white box will appear, and please enter

my account number (UCVSTM1730)

                                                  and my name (Karla Buller –ST Missions)