Another day of wondering what will happen next. We got the kids, and I need to get their pics online so Richard can see them, they are so happy they are alive. He seems to think he can get them out of Haiti, just one problem, I have four not three. The youngest was never in the adoption plan. So, now, what do we do. They were living outside their building (as is everyone in Port practically). Gary checked the building and it has structural damage although it doesn't look real bad. They had no water and only bulgur to eat (a wheat by product, brown, boils like rice, filling and healthy). Now I have to figure out what to do with them, we have room and hopefully, Richard Pickett can get them (live in TN).
We will arrange a place to meet the administrator of the orphanage, Davidson to give him supplies tomorrow. He said and this was an honest statement that might fly in the face of well intending people: "You are causing me a problem by being here, the thieves are watching and they will think I have money. Your being here is risking our safety" In situations like this, being white is a detriment to those you are trying to help. That's one reason why we aren't randomly handing out supplies. It can cause riots and even death for the receivers. Haiti is a different place altogether and it takes some time to figure it all out, although, we've not gotten it all figured out nor do we believe we ever will.
We understood completely. Are we going to help he and those children, absolutely, but it will not be done with our showing up at the orphanage site. All other help will be done discreetly at a location we decide upon. Gary is going to Pont Sonde a half hour north of us tomorrow to their big market and buy rice (that again will be done by a Haitian and loaded in the truck without Gary getting out). Then we will call Davidson in Bon Repos (if we can connect and decide where he will meet us). We left him with a little money to buy charcoal and water (if he can find it) Everything we say or do always ends with IF.
We went to the SD store where we shop and sometimes cash checks to see if we could get our American money changed to Haitian. He did it, wasn't much, but said, money is running out. We can no longer cash checks because there are no banks. If we can get money in through Western Union we have a chance now, to cash it into Haitian. Waiting much longer for transferring via Western Union, opportunity will be lost. (He also told us that thieves came through his roof on Saturday and stole quite a bit, he's bracing himself for more thieves). He said he had supplies for one month, so another stop tomorrow will be to ……you guessed it—the snow storm syndrome---stock up. We must have supplies available for those people who work for us, or fellow missionaries as things get tighter. Gary and I know it's time to batten down the hatches and go into our "war mode" that we lived in for so long. Pray? Yes! Psalm 91 was upon our lips constantly during the Aristide war. Plan? Yes! What will we do in case of this or that? Everyone should have a plan when things get tough. We won't be as lax at leaving the gate unlocked or letting anyone come in. That's wisdom. I think the Bible clearly teaches us to use our faith and to use wisdom. Now, what if nothing happens? HALLELUIA!
Gasoline lines are long and hard. Everyone needs gas. Right now there is black market gas for 20 H dollars a gallon. We heard that gas will go sky high as it gets more scarce. We thought ahead and had two drums delivered early Wednesday morning, so we do have a supply but we have to conserve and not use much electricity so we will have gas for our vehicles. These trips to and from Port are costly.
We were going to go into downtown Port today to see if we could find Kevin's brothers mother, but we were told there was much shooting and the stench from burning dead bodies would be overwhelming. Since we had the four children we decided to head back to St Marc. On our way we passed truck after truck of people with suitcases or bags fleeing Port. St Marc was a mad house as they transfer from one "tap tap" to another to head north. Refugees. Some confused, still dazed I would suppose, some angry and some focused on what they must do.
We also wanted to look for Kevin's brother, an Episcopal priest in Leogone but you have to go through Carrefour and Carrefour was the center of the earthquake. One of our El Shaddai students was there yesterday to look for his mother's sister. He rode a tap tap to where he transferred to a motorcycle taxi and they had to literally pick the taxi up and carry it over bodies in the street. Carrefour is gone, and so is Termithus' aunt! Well, that took care of our trip to Leogone. We have no idea and they have yet to talk about anywhere other than Port concerning Haiti's dead.
Oh, we saw a huge ship going toward Port, it was way out but it was humongous! Gary said it was an aircraft carrier. Interesting. You'll probably read about it on the news. Then we saw another one, and it was probably cargo. Haiti will survive this onslaught. We are all in survival mode and will continue to be so. God is our source and He is directing our steps.
Thank you all for your prayers and attention to this matter.
Love,
Carolyn
Touch Ministries, Touching People, Changing Lives
"I have come that they might have life and have it more abundantly"--Jesus, John 10:10b.
Please Read our Blog www.touchstmarchaiti.blogspot.com
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