Finding purpose overseas
February 10, 2010
By Jeannette Boner

From Haiti to home and back again.

LEFT: Nick Thompson with four month old twins while he volunteered in earthquake damaged Haiti. He returned to the island this week to continue volunteering with Sierra Hibbert joining him next week. PHOTO COURTESY NICK THOMPSON

As the headlines fade from the limelight, as headlines often do after the rush of news, the passion and desire to reach out beyond the borders of home has, in the this case, continued to burn more brightly.

Nick Thompson returned home only for a few short weeks from Haiti. His return was marked with just enough time for him to raise a little money, buy some supplies and take off again. Thompson left on Monday of this week, anxious to head back to the broken island in the Caribbean left wrecked in the wake of a massive earthquake.

“I came home with the shirt, shorts and sandals on my feet and that was it,” Thompson said last Friday. “They have nothing and I gave them everything I brought with me.”

Thompson was at the Teton Valley Hospital last Friday. An ambulance bus driver, he was with fellow EMT Sierra Hibbert. The two were online looking at tickets for Hibbert. She is planning to join Thompson on the 21st of this month.

Thompson pulled out a stack of printed pictures he planned to take with him upon his return. In the pictures were people without homes and sometimes in need everything. Thompson said it was easy to roll up his sleeves and dig in with two helping hands. It was difficult, he said, to see so much pain and suffering, to feel helpless, that there was only so much he, as only one person, could do.

“It was dirty there,” he said. “but I never felt scared. There are kids walking around the street and their parents are dead. There are no supplies, no gas. When you come home, you feel even more helpless. They need so much more help.”

Hibbert and Thompson have received help from local businesses with Yost Mark donating iodine tablets for the trip, Teton Valley Hospital giving scrubs and face masks for medical personnel and St. John’s Medical Center donating medical supplies including bandages and tape. The Super 8 Motel in Driggs donated money toward the humanitarian trip and the Teton County, Wyoming Community Resource Center continues to work with Thompson and Hibbert finding them the right programs that could further benefit their efforts.

Thompson and Hibbert both anticipate working in several orphanages while they are in Haiti. Thompson said that while he was there the first time he stayed at the Hope Center, a faith-based charity house and was assigned a translator. Thompson worked all day on the streets, the makeshift hospitals and orphanages. He was back at the charity house in time for curfew and there enjoyed the fellowship of missionaries and volunteers.

He planned on visiting with people he worked with on this second trip, particularly seeking out a mother and her four month old twin daughters. He purchased formula and bottles to take to the twins as the mother was feeding the infants mashed up saltine crackers in water when she could not find food for the babies.

“I think people need to know that they still need help,” Thompson said. “The twins, they were my favorite.” If you would like to learn more about how you may help Thompson and Hibbert’s efforts, the Community Center may be reached at 307-739-4500.

Nominate

Valley Citizen of the Month for December, Judy Baumgardner, received a night’s lodging at the Teton Springs Lodge and Spa. Citizen staff will choose an individual or group each month highlighting exceptional work or character based on your nominations. Teton Springs Lodge and Spa will recognize the Citizen of the Month with a similar gift from the resort. Please send your February nominations to news@valleycitizen.com or call 208-354-NEWS.