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"We are drawn to mission work primarily by a deep sense
of gratitude to God for the many blessings experienced in our
lives and our family," writes Paul, "and a desire to
express our thankfulness in service to a needy world through the
Church as the living Body of Jesus Christ. Our assignment to Covenant
Hospital is our first committed mission endeavor. The more we
learn about the country of Haiti, and in particular the people
of the Mombin Crochu region, the more challenging and overwhelming
the task appears to us."
At the beginning of their term, the challenge of cultural adjustment
is the most daunting. "We are learning a new language, Haitian
Creole, and preparing to enter a culture in which we have no experience,"
says Paul. "Because of the remote location of the town and
the difficulties of travel and infrastructure in the country,
we will be learning a new lifestyle. In this setting we will attempt
to practice medicine using the limited resources available to
battle the illnesses of poverty and hunger. We will try to involve
and enable those who live in Mombin Crochu to confront preventable
disease, and to continue to build a sustainable health facility."
"The health needs of the people of Haiti are great, and
resources scant," Paul says. Assistance from home will be
crucial. "Mission groups from the U.S. who journey to Mombin
Crochu in support of Covenant Hospital are and will continue to
be a vital part of the success in achieving the goals of the facility."
Paul holds a bachelor’s degree from the University of Pittsburgh
and received his doctor of medicine degree from the University
of Pennsylvania in 1967. He did his post-graduate residency training
in family practice at Hunterdon Medical Center in Flemington,
New Jersey. He served in Vietnam with the U.S. Army Medical Corps.
For the past 30 years, he has been a family physician in a rural
farming community in eastern Washington and the owner/operator
of a comprehensive primary care practice. He was also active on
the staff of Lincoln Hospital in Davenport, Washington.
Joan attended Lake Forest College in Lake Forest, Illinois, and
the University of Pittsburgh. She has worked as a homemaker and
primary caregiver to children Barbara and Bruce, now adults, and
operated a home-based business doing machine quilting.
Birthdays:
Paul - June 7
Joan - May 3
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