Leogane and Ti Goave

Hello, dear friends and supporters and prayer warriors!

You guys are amazing! I have been amazed at the support that this country has received from all over the world. Without this, this country would be dangling from a string over the cliff, ready to break!

I’m in the OR right now – what a place to write from, eh? Life is different here. (Just so you know, I’m not working the OR, just being entertained while waiting on some test results. lol).

I want to give you an update on the country from what I’ve gathered in the last 3 days. I’ve gone to different places, talked with different people. I know it’s hard from other places to understand what’s happening when all you have is the news and they’re focusing on the interesting, negative things. But things are really going quite well, all things considering. We have lots of doctors and surgeons, and the UN is going around collecting information on how many beds there are, surgical capabilities and supplies. Most hospitals have the Doctors they need. The biggest medical need right now is supplies and equipment to do the surgeries. First aid and care has been given everywhere (I always fear the places that nobody knows about, or people that aren’t brought out to hospitals, but what can be done about that?) So right now it’s probably better not to plan to come, even doctors, unless you have been asked or have connections that know there is a need. Doctors will be needed to relieve the ones here, so I’m not saying not to be available to come. But I think most emergency assistance has been given. PTL!

Many have been asking about the 2^nd earthquake (6.1) We’re doing fine. The Haitian people still scream and run out as soon as one starts, but they feel short, here at our place. I couldn’t believe it was so big but then it did wake me up from sleep. Basically everybody in Port and west, by the more affected area is still sleeping outside on the grounds for fear (if not loss of home).

On Monday I went to Leogane. That place is just as damaged as Port or more, but since it’s only got a population of more or less 100,000, it hasn’t gotten as much attention. The damage is unbelievable, even if I’ve seen it before. Every time I marvel at the power that can destroy so much in less than a minute. Now as of today I’ve heard there are doctors too, so I think it has changed.

Tuesday I went to the airport. Henri and Gladys went to send off Yoldnide. After 5-7 years of paperwork, the adoption (which was almost finished anyway) all of a sudden was finished. I think almost all of the adoptions have been signed off. While there I was able to contact other missionaries and groups so it was actually quite useful to sit on the tarmac of the airport, watching planes come in and take off. The world of airports and security as we know it doesn’t exist in Haiti right now. Very little customs/passport stamping going on. (Not saying there isn’t order). I was quite impressed.

After we got home, we took off right away for St Marc, 40 minutes in the other direction. I went to check out the hospital situation there. It was full but seemed well controlled. Apparently they have doctors, but need nurses to train and supervise local staff. They took a big room, scrubbed it down, threw down mattresses and are seeing lots of patients.

On the way home, Naomi & I stayed at Chris and Leslie’s for Olivia’s 2^nd birthday party. She is now an adorable two. She had so much fun with her presents.

Wed. my plan was to go to Petit Goave with Henri and Gladys. Before that, we transferred a sick girl to the airport. That was quite the experience. Dr Ric flew out with her. She was hit by a ‘hit and run’ and ripped open her whole internal bottom area. The bleeding stopped and the doctors at Pierre Payen stabilized her, packed her insides, and got her off. She’s only like 11 or 13 (nobody, even her mom, seems to know how old she is). We threw a mat in the back of the pickup truck. It was still quite painful, despite the morphine. The airport road was blocked so a policeman got on and guided us through a different route. Later a UN vehicle guided us with it’s sirens on, and we were able to drive out behind the airport, on to the tarmac, right beside the huge US airport jets. Quite interesting. Finally at noon, we were ready to head to Ti Goave, another 1.5 hrs west, past Leogane. They have a lot of church there (Eben-nezer churches) and I saw two of their’s that are down. While they sat strategizing on how to help all these people, one of their guys took me around town on his motorbike, showing me the different places and destruction. Some of the houses are now actually sitting in the ocean.

Today I’m trying to get caught up with all of you and things, after a trip to PP to take Marcus to do some blood tests and to talk to the doctors there. I’m hearing all these different things so if you get confused about what you’ve been seeing and the different things they say on TV, it’s the same here. Before jumping to conclusions, check with your sources.

I feel some people think we’re desperate for food here at Canaan. So far we’re not. God provides. Today, they even went into MegaMart which is a BIG store, and people were working and cleaning it. They weren’t selling to the public but Gladys and Henri went in and they sold them some things, like toilet paper and detergent, etc. Almost double the price, but they sold it. So God cares and we trust him to take care of us (together with all of you J)