What Next?

As I sit here this morning, I'm wondering about people who fled Gonaives and the Artibonite Valley. Where are they? What are they suffering? We had a committee come to us yesterday asking for help so they could help those that came to their church. We gave them 200 USD which will buy some food and clothing and we trust those to whom we gave it. Who will come today? How can we help? We walked around this house yesterday thanking God we were dry and had food and reflected on those who were wet and hungry. Multiplied hundreds of people.
This experience has made me more compassionate for those who experience weather related tragedies. So often I've looked at things like hurricanes with fleeting thoughts. God forgive me. We pray the mercy of God for the people and we pray there will be provision so we can help those who come to us.
The bridge in Montrouis continues to be a problem. Gary said it was scarey to walk over let alone think of driving over it. The work the UN did to make a temporary bridge washed away as Ike blew in. The highway was covered with mud so deep it was impassable and people could not get to Port. Hopefully, today our friend can get in to the airport to pick up Jessica who finally will get out of Ft Lauderdale having waited five days to fly in.
Our curriculum was mailed in early August, but it's not in our possession yet. It's in customs yet to be released. Gary and Dan went to Port on Saturday to pick up mail but none of Dan's boxes arrived and of course, we need the curriculum to set up school. Maybe it'll be there on Wednesday if we can get to Agape then. When Jessica gets picked up, she will be brought to Montrouis, we will meet her on this side of the bridge.
Gary was able to buy two drums of diesel fuel yesterday so we will have a supply for a while for the truck and the generator as we expect fuel deliveries to be delayed.
Madame Pierre went to the Haitian market on Saturday for me. She couldn't buy tomatoes or lettuce, there was none. She was able to get a few carrots, and some cabbage, along with some potatoes. The meat Gary bought in Port was stolen off the back of the truck which remains a mystery as to how they got it through the bars and where it happened. So we are eating Spam and I do have a little tuna and some canned corned beef. I'm reminded of when we first came to Haiti when we could only afford to eat canned meats.
People are getting desperate. We pray we can help those who come to us. We pray the suffering doesn't erupt into riots.
We hope Ike doesn't hit the US in a hard way and we are also thinking about Cuba getting pounded. Whew!
If you are asking yourself how you can help let me remind you that rice prices are way up and a 100 pounds of rice is nearly 100 USD as are beans. If we could buy a supply to hand out it would relieve some people. We know pastors we can work through so food supplies are not squandered or stolen. Three years ago a young man in Chicago appealed to people and sent enough money to purchase a lot of rice, beans and oil to give to Gonaives. This year, we will be bombarded with requests right here in St Marc. How do you turn away from the needy when God is clear that we are to have compassion and help the poor. The general fund will only go so far but it will be used to help them.
You have a blessed day. If the Lord nudges you to help, you can send your gifts to:
Touch Ministries
417 Rebecca Street
New Martinsville WV 26155
Mark it: Hurricane Relief.
Thanks for reading the blog and praying with us. Because you give, others live.
Have a blessed day! Carolyn