Waiting

A bit of regrouping here. Adjusting to David's very connected presence in Haiti. My high school son shifting gears to graduate in March instead of June. My mom, who shares our home, adapting to some physical limitations which are not surprising, considering she is 93.

People have asked me how I am doing. Ok. I will admit this has been a stressful couple of weeks for me. And I am consciously trying to manage by going to bed at a decent hour...can you believe it, David?.... eating a bit healthier than usual, and asking friends for practical help. I have prayed more in the last two weeks than I have in a long time. 


It is well with me and mine and I feel curiously alive. But honestly, it hardly seems to matter how I am doing.


I think of the woman who is desperate to sweep up rubbish in the tent city she now calls "home" in Port-au-Prince. The $3-$5 she earns from Oxfam will feed her 6 children for the day. She is thankful for the pay, but would do it anyway, just to keep the vermin at bay.


I think of the woman in Colorado Springs who is still clinging to hope for word that her husband has survived the earthquake. Is he possibly safe in a void beneath the rubble once known as Hotel Montana, with a backpack of water and snacks?


Oh Lord, break my heart for these two women. Comfort and sustain them and the countless others that are starting over or waiting for word of their husbands.

Despair or Hope?

The story of Haiti, at this time, is not one of unending violence, looting and a population angry enough to fight over scant resources. But the people we met were wounded and weary and afraid to go back inside. The earth could shake at any moment and death could visit once again.  Closing paragraph from an article by Soledad O'Brien and Rose Arce, CNN January 30, 2010 

Healing the heart and soul is the work that the church does best.  Radio Lumiere is the voice of the church to minister to the hurting of the nation.  To do that effectively they need the equipment repaired and working reliably.  That is why I am here.  I have been greatly encouraged as I have been listening to the radio.  Pastors and others are giving much needed information, and more. They’re giving the encouragement and counsel that people really need.  Over and over again I hear pastors telling people to do what they can to share and to help others around them. ...  I heard testimonies of God's faithfulness, and also admonitions to trust the Lord in all things.  This is important work! Engineer and missionary Jerry Miel in an email letter home and forward to prayer partners. January 30, 2010

On day 18 since the earthquake, I am deeply thankful that there are people on the ground in Haiti who are also ministering to the wounded emotions and spirits of a people who have been traumatized, yet once again.  "This is important work!" 
I couldn't agree more. 


For another compelling look at "one of the modern world's worst natural disasters"
http://www.worldmag.com/articles/16380

God makes a way ~ His love is not in our league

David Torres was the leader of our disaster relief team during the first two weeks of Samaritan's Purse's response in Haiti.

Many have given up hope for this little country because despite the tremendous amounts of money, effort, and resources that are pouring in, Haiti just doesn't seem to get any better. There are even whispers that Port-au-Prince should be abandoned. Almost 200,000 Haitians have already loaded on buses and left.

The rational mind might be able to justify throwing its hands up in defeat saying, “Yes, nothing here is salvageable.” But not our God, for we are assured that His love is perfect and cannot be diminished or overwhelmed.

His love is not in our league, and we can rest in this. 

Excerpt from "God Makes a Way"
http://www.samaritanspurse.org/index.php/articles/god_makes_a_way/ 

"Jesus is our goal" ... A surgeon's painful reflections

Dr. Dick Furman, co-founder of World Medical Mission, was part of a Samaritan's Purse team that arrived in Haiti less than a week after the earthquake to help provide emergency medical treatment. He reflected on his experiences on his flight out a week later.

I don’t know how their memories will affect me as time goes on. But now it is difficult not to compare them with life as we know it. They will not sleep in their homes because of the aftershocks. At night they still cry out and moan and wail. The stench remains in the air as you drive by building that collapsed.

And then there are the patients that survived and we operated on who are in despair with nowhere to go and loved ones dead. I made my last walk through the hospital after our surgical team meeting Monday morning. I left patients I will remember for the rest of my life. I am on the plane flying home as I think back over what was the most horrific time I have ever experienced in my life. I have never seen such suffering. I have never seen so many people go through so much sorrow. 

It surely looked different on TV. Watching it, you could get the feeling of what the earthquake was like. You could get a feel of the destruction of buildings and houses and stores. You could even get some insight into the terrible devastating feeling the people are going through.

But until you have examined a patient who was in the kitchen while her husband and four children were in the next room, 

Give to Haiti, deduct from your '09 tax returns

Thanks to a new bill passed by Congress, gifts made through February 28, 2010, for Haiti earthquake relief are eligible for a tax deduction on your 2009 return. Any gifts made to a 501c , such as Samaritan’s Purse, for Haiti relief between January 12 and February 28 can be counted as a tax-deductible contribution on Form 1040, Schedule A. 

https://www.samaritanspurse.org/index.php/Giving/Haiti_Donation/

Also, many corporations will match your financial gift. And many relief organizations will accept your airline miles. See this from United Airlines:

Donate miles to our partner charities who are actively involved in Haiti relief efforts through our Charity Miles Program. These organizations will use your donated miles to fly aid workers to affected areas. http://www.united.com/page/article/0,6867,1363,00.html?jumpLink=/charitymiles

The children of Haiti

But Jesus called them unto him, and said, Suffer little children to come unto me, and forbid them not: for of such is the kingdom of God. Luke 18:16 King James Bible

These last few days I have been assured that David is doing well, so I can focus a bit more easily on my sons. One is wrapping things up to graduate from high school, hopefully in March. The other is hitting the books in his second year of college. The one at home has been teaching me how to play cribbage; the older one and I had lunch together today. I know they are safe and thriving.
But what of the children in Haiti? The ones not grown up yet. The ones dependent on the adults in their lives to care and provide for them, teach them, enjoy them and keep them safe? How do they thrive? What of the ones who have been separated by death or displacement from their parents?
And how do we process reports of child trafficking? They are disturbing, to say the least! It is difficult to accept that there are people who would take advantage of the chaos in Haiti in such a way. There are even allegations that children are being exploited as organ donors. And I thought the devastation from the earthquake itself was unimaginable! (Scroll down for today's interview on the subject with Haitian Prime Minister Jean-Max Bellerive.)
How can we respond? 
Pray. Such a simple word, such a powerful action. Believe. That the Lord of the universe will intervene on behalf of these children, unique images of God. That there will be such an outcry on behalf of the children of Haiti that there will be miracles of deliverance. Be ready. To give, to wait, to learn, to intervene, to suffer.
http://edition.cnn.com/2010/WORLD/americas/01/27/haiti.earthquake.orphans/index.html

What about the relief workers?

David's images set to music


Thanks to a good satellite connection, David and I had a long conversation last night. He is doing well. After the first several days of extremely challenging conditions, the relief work that he is participating in and documenting, is running more smoothly.
Because of Samaritan's Purse long standing partnerships, contacts and 30 year presence in Haiti, they are strategically positioning themselves for the long haul. David may be staying longer or coming home for a short break and returning. We are totally ok with that.
He spoke again of how good it is to be there in the land that is home, with the people he can so easily relate to. I know that there is nowhere else he would rather be right now. He feels he is able to process all that he is experiencing as he goes through his images each night and chooses the ones to pass on. From what I can tell, he is doing well. He truly appreciates the prayers and interest of all of you! 
I am thankful for the unique cultural and life experience preparation that David has. From all reports, the earthquake which rocked Haiti is truly one of the worst, if not worst, catastrophes the world has known in recent times. At least in terms of the brutally crushing injuries the survivors have suffered. When you couple the immensity of injuries and necessary rehabilitation for the countless amputees with the paucity of the Haitian infrastructure, it becomes mind-boggling. 
I think of the relief workers who are ill-prepared for this devastation; I pray that the God of all comfort would be real to them, even as they ask the hard questions. Will you keep praying? 
Thank you from the depths of my heart.


Cindy, for David and our sons, Josh and Nate

"All praise to the God and Father of our Master, Jesus the Messiah! Father of all mercy! God of all healing counsel! He comes alongside us when we go through hard times, and before you know it, he brings us alongside someone else who is going through hard times so that we can be there for that person just as God was there for us. We have plenty of hard times that come from following the Messiah, but no more so than the good times of his healing comfort—we get a full measure of that, too."  2 Corinthians 1:3-5, The Message

A look at a former commodities trader running a school for Haiti's future leaders:
http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052748704762904575025382061100568.html?mod=WSJ_World_MIDDLENews

"Should I go to Haiti?"

I interact with several people a day who are feeling called, led, moved to go to Haiti. I totally understand. These people are our brothers and sisters, they are our neighbors.

Since I am not there nor in a position of authority, I take pause when asked what do I think about heading to Haiti, soon.  Important? Yes. Urgent? I don't know; the recovery will take years. Haiti will need real help long after she is in the headlines.

So, if we are thinking about heading south, we might consider the following.

God looks on the heart; examining our own hearts seems a good place to start. Bolstering oneself spiritually will be well worth it, many times over.

Next, an updated passport and shots are critical. Keep working to maintain or improve physical fitness; this preparation will also pay off. 

Stay informed. Sleuth out reputable agencies, churches, organizations who are doing work that you resonate with. Are they well established? What are their ties to Haiti? Do they have financial integrity? Can they connect you to someone who has been affiliated with them in Haiti to get the inside "scoop"?. What are their needs for personnel, volunteer or otherwise? Are they ready to accommodate you now or would you be one more person to keep fed, safe, find a bed and transportation for? You get the idea

Ask trusted friends and mentors what they think. 

Be prepared to hurry up and wait. We'll have plenty of opportunities to practice patience there, might as well start here.

And last, keep Haiti in your prayers.

CNN on rebuilding effort after the quake.

http://edition.cnn.com/2010/WORLD/americas/01/25/haiti.earthquake/index.html
Samaritan's Purse: Surviving Day by Day
http://www.samaritanspurse.org/index.php/articles/surviving_day_by_day/
Audio Report from Haiti
http://www.samaritanspurse.org/index.php/Samaritans_Purse_Today/post/audio_report/

So many

So many faceless and nameless buried without witness. So many left to wonder where their friend, lover, brother, daughter is. So many motherless children seeking safe haven. So many weary, worried and wounded.So many. So. How do I process this? I choose to believe that God notices. 

150,000 Quake Victims Buried, Haiti Says

http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=122925656&sc=emaf
Earthquake map of Haiti
http://edition.cnn.com/interactive/2010/01/world/google.map.haiti/index.html

Perfect timing ~ One pilot's story

http://www.maf.org/

Will White, pilot with Mission Aviation Fellowship (MAF) shared this story from January 22.

Here is a flight I did today.  I will try and explain it.  Sorry if this gets long. This morning MAF was to take a team of doctors to Pignon.  The night before someone called and cancelled the flight so we were not expecting to do it and did not go in early. The doctors showed up about 9am and I told them they would have to wait until after a flight that was previously scheduled.
We had arranged for a film crew to fly to the island of Lagonave.  We were dropping off food supplies and picking up a team that was inspecting the Wesleyan hospital for damage from the earthquake.

Joy in the midst of sorrow

"I’m sure you’ve seen the singing and praying of Haiti’s believers. The television news men have not been able to ignore it. When the world is falling down around us, the Holy Spirit is at work in the midst of what to us seems out of control. When we remember that, we are strengthened, we have joy in the midst of sorrow, we give thanks even for the heartache, and God gets the glory." Boxley Boggs, in the sermon he preached today at Town North Bible Church, Texas.

These comments of our friend Boxley pretty much summarize for me the last 12 days; "the Holy Spirit is at work in the midst of what to us seems out of control...we have joy in the midst of sorrow..."

Our son Nate and I saw evidence of that today when we interacted with David, live via internet. I cannot tell you how good it was to see for ourselves that he is well, in fact thriving. "I'm really glad I'm here; it's so good to be with and talking to the Haitian people again....I'm loving it."

Another day at Bolosse

An update from Cindy McMartin, missionary with CrossWorld living on the Bolosse campus (where my David lived for 2 years, and where Samaritan's Purse went with a water purification system yesterday:

^{Where to begin? It’s hard for us all to remember what day it is, let alone what happened during the past few days. David [Scmid] said to me today, “We’re into our 3rd week since the earthquake, right?” I said, “no, it hasn’t even been 2 weeks.” The days run together and there is always so much going on. We go to bed exhausted and usually wake up weary.}

Samaritan's Purse in the News

"What impressed me is Samaritan's Purse's ability to work in so many different arenas once they're on the ground," says Dr. Bill Frist, a former U.S. senator and one of the surgeons working with Febres at the Baptist Haiti Mission hospital last week. "They very aggressively put in surgical teams. And within 72 hours, they had a water-filtration system for the hospital that can produce 10,000 gallons of clean water a day."

"This is far from the agency's first disaster. And Samaritan's Purse, with about 450 employees in Boone and 2,000 around the world, has built a reputation as a lean machine that responds quickly - and with Christian fervor.

"Some have suggested that proselytizing has no place in emergency relief. But Graham, son of Charlotte-born evangelist Billy Graham, is unapologetic about ministering to victims spiritually as well as medically.

"We want to bring God's comfort to them," says Graham. "I'm an ambassador for Jesus Christ and want everybody we meet to know that God loves them."

http://www.charlotteobserver.com/408/story/1200620.html

A glimpse of David's heart

"If I find in myself a desire which no experience in this world can satisfy, the most probable explanation is that I was made for another world." —C.S. Lewis

I don't know if our sons remember this, but on road trips when the boys were little, David and I used to sing together, "harmonizing" and singing at the tops of our lungs.


One of our favorites was an old hymn that went something like this:

This world is not my home, I'm just a-passin' through

If heaven's not my home, then Lord what would I do?

The angels beckon me, from heaven's open door,

And I can't feel at home in this world anymore.

David taught me that song. It used to spring to his lips when I sensed a longing in him to be somewhere else. When the boys were little, I was so caught up in their every little step, word, new skill mastered, that I really didn't quite connect with David's longing; another mother would understand that comment.

But now, David has "gone ahead" of me back to the land he was raised in, to the land where we met and where we discovered we are truly kindred spirits. I miss him and long to be there with him. Every waking thought is wrapped around him.

My longing to be with David is not unlike the longing he used to express in song. Hmmmm.

David was at Bolosse today

In the short email he sent me tonight, he mentioned that he was at Bolosse yesterday and today. Samaritan's Purse hopes to put in a water filtration system there to provide safe drinking water for the 2500 people camping on the campus and the surrounding community.

It is so uncanny to me how my posts and David's activities on the field in Haiti are dove-tailing with each other. I guess it shouldn't surprise me that God can draw my heart and thoughts to what he is doing. And even so, we miss each other on the internet....playing tag with our messages. So, again I rest in the knowledge that he is where he is supposed to be.

My thoughts turn to the many hours I spent with David on that campus while we were dating.

Bolosse gets help

An update from CrossWorld just in, with thanks to dear friend Boxley Boggs. Bruce Robinson, the engineer who wrote the letter in the previous blog is mentioned. As are Roger See, Jenny Reitz, Bruce and Cindy McMartin and Dave and Phyllis Schmid, all of whom our family (or extended family) know.

“I will take refuge in the shadow of your wings until the disaster has passed. I cry out to God Most High, to God, who fulfills his purpose for me. He sends from heaven and saves me, ...God sends his love and his faithfulness.” Ps. 57: 1-3While we wait for a secure infrastructure to handle the monumental problems in Haiti, CrossWorld has the following people on site:

• Roger See, Mark Bradley, & Dave Muchmore, all former residents of Haiti & fluent in Creole, will encourage and aid the missionaries/believers in whatever way possible.
• Dr. Bill Piepgrass (a former Haitian MK) and a team of medical professionals arrived at Beraca Medical Center (a CrossWorld founded hospital) in the north of Haiti. The injured are being transported here by any means possible from Port-au-Prince, over 100 miles away.
• Two men from CA are there to train our personnel, assess the situation, and return with recommendations.
• Bruce Robinson from the north arrived with a dump truck of supplies/food to our seminary campus.

Please pray for wisdom, understanding, strength, patience, healing, comfort, and relief for the many injured.

The STEP (seminary) women have organized some children's classes in the afternoons. Friday they hope to show a film to the children outside. They took a census and we have 600 families - 2500 adults and 1600 children sleeping on the campus at night. Many leave during the day but we pack them in at night. Usually there is singing in the evenings before people turn in for the night. I love to hear so many voices joining together in hymns.

The community leaders are trying to get set up for distribution of food aid when it comes. We have a couple of sources promising to get food to us. Food and water is available in our area but people are putting the prices up of course. We've received medical supplies and also some  doctors have arrived to help on campus. (Phyllis Schmid)

“Your prayers, words of encouragement and willingness to help, have blown us away. We are so blessed, thanks for standing together with us." (Jenny Reitz, House of Hope)

Correction:

• It was reported that two seminary students perished when part of the seminary building collapsed. Upon further investigation they believe only one student was beneath the rubble and perhaps the other student was not on campus that day. The parents of the student who died also lost their daughter and their home on Tuesday. Please pray for this family.

• Susie Day’s arm was injured not broken. She & her three school-age children are in the US while Denny Day remains in Haiti temporarily to help in the recovery efforts.

"SENEGAL'S president on Sunday called for Africa to make room for victims of Haiti's earthquake to restart their lives on the continent from where their ancestors were snatched as slaves. His spokesman gave further details of the proposals. 'If it is just a few people, we will offer them a roof and a patch of land; if they come in large numbers, we will give them a whole region.' Does man ever know or understand the plans of God?! What if this is his way to get hundreds of Haitian believers to this country and continent? Pray that God will continue to give direction and open doors." (Cindy McMartin, Haiti)

"A worship service was held Sunday morning on the campus by seminary students. Several responded at the invitation led by Wawa to trust Christ as Savior. Bruce McMartin had to go to his house to get some diesel fuel and matches at the request of the young man who trusted Christ so they could burn his charms and fetishes. (Dwight Lehman, International Director for the Americas)

Check out David's photos on Samaritan's Purse website; click on the Haiti in Pictures option on bottom of the opening page. Then find the arrow for "More Photos". There are video updates as well as articles which are updated several times daily.

http://www.samaritanspurse.org/

http://www.samaritanspurse.org/index.php/Samaritans_Purse_Today/post/the_scope_of_the_disaster/

Jazz concert

Today has been a bit like the jazz concert I went to last night. Lots of improvisation on a theme with some parts not quite recognizable to an untrained ear. The beauty of course is that the composer/conductor delights in the music which results. I'm thinking that God is smiling on the many attempts to respond to the massive quake of 10 days ago. Whether we gather information and pray, give or go, the combination of all of us doing the best we can with what we are given, is music to His ears.

"Listen" with me to the variations on a theme of Hope I heard today.

I received this long letter a few days after the massive earthquake on January 12. It is written by water and civil engineer Bruce Robinson, a missionary with CrossWorld. He lives east of Port-de-Paix on the northern peninsula of Haiti.  Bruce and his wife Deb have a well drilling (and everything else) ministry.  I met him back in 1986 when I lived in Haiti. David got acquainted with him since they were both bachelors at that point and would spend time together whenever Bruce would come to the capitol for supplies or R and R. David was living on the mission campus where the seminary is that Bruce describes in the article. I spent many hours on that campus when David and I were dating.

So, I have attached it for those of you hungry for this sort of thing. 

Thank you Bruce for your permission to share this.

Earthquake Haiti

I always expected the next big one would be here. On the north coast. In doing research for the bridge one of the things you do is check the earthquake history. For the last four hundred years. It is not pretty.

David was in Leogane today

"We had a good day! Went to Leogane and started to distribute supplies. I did a lot of translation. Attached is a church that we visited. They are trying to clear it so that they can have church on Sunday. Every other house is flat." David Uttley, in an email home

So David spent today in the town that holds such vivid memories for me. I believe I would be very disheartened to see it like this. But what are the Haitians doing? Trying to clear the rubble so they can resume their lives, including worshiping God together.

And, are they misunderstood because there are not enough translators? Or because they are such a proud and resilient people? Because they have been beaten down so many times by political corruption and abuse, natural disaster, severe poverty and can still get back up? Because they are a people of faith who turn to God when they lose it all? And then lose it again? Because they want something better for their families? Because they are weary of broken promises from well-meaning foreigners?

I don't even know the right questions, let alone the right answers.

“Thank you for coming,” Pastor Janvier said. “We have been praying for God’s help and He sent you here.” Courtesy Samaritan's Purse:

http://www.samaritanspurse.org/index.php/Samaritans_Purse_Today/post/making_a_difference/

My ties to Leogane, Haiti

Following yesterday's aftershock, more attention is being focused on Leogane, Haiti. It is situated about 15 -20 miles west of the capitol of Port-au-Prince, virtually the epicenter of last week's quake and as you might imagine was very hard hit. I have read and heard estimates as high as 90+% of the buildings were leveled.

Leogane was my home for six weeks in February 1986, during the "dechoukaj" or literally, "uprooting" of then President Jean-Claude Duvalier, or "Baby Doc" as he was known. He was also known for the ton-ton macoutes, or "secret service" who were notorious for being his personal henchmen. Of course, it is debatable how much direct involvement he had in their questionable (at best!) activities. That Haitians feared them, is an understatement.

During the "dechoukaj", I was living in Port (short for Port-au-Prince) enrolled in language study and preparing to move "up country" with a small team of doctors and nurses to work at a vacant hospital.

This was before cell phones, Facebook, blogs, instant messaging or the internet as we know it today. Hopital Ste. Croix, a hospital in Leogane with Presbyterian and Episcopalian ties to the US, was in desperate need of reinforcements. They spoke to their home office in the states who shared this prayer request in church. Someone at that church service knew the physician stationed with me in Port. Long story short? He and I packed our bags and rode out to Leogane, praying the whole way as we passed very visible signs of the political upheaval....burning tires, agitated people, and a palpable anxiety as long stifled emotions were erupting all around us.

Leogane is where I delivered my first Haitian baby, honed my very crude Creole skills, and worked to save the lives of ton-ton macoutes who were brutally beaten in retaliation for years of abuse. It is where I fell in love with the Haitian people.

Would I go now to help if I could? In a heartbeat! But I am not able to go now, so I take great comfort in the fact that my soul-mate is there.

On a different note, I heard today that a secondary pier is now operational in Port-au-Prince, speeding delivery of humanitarian supplies.

http://edition.cnn.com/2010/WORLD/americas/01/21/haiti.earthquake/index.html

And Samaritan's Purse has a convoy of trucks with heavy equipment on the way to Ft. Pierce, Florida to be shipped to Haiti.

http://www.samaritanspurse.org/index.php/Samaritans_Purse_Today/post/convoy_details/

Again, I can't thank you enough for your interest and prayers.

Digging out and digging in

Thursday is garbage day here. Remembered to roll the garbage can out last night to the end of the driveway for pickup. Just heard the truck come by for the latest Uttley contribution to the local landfill. That got me to thinking....

With Haiti never long from my thoughts, I am reminded of the overwhelming clean up efforts which will be needed. Last night, we were talking at the dinner table about this and other aspects of the Haiti crisis. We were wondering what will be done with all the rubble from collapsed buildings? My mom remembered hearing that during the Tsunami recovery in 2004, they ground it up and used in the rebuilding efforts. Could it be used on dirt roads? How would the possible contamination be handled? One question leads to another.

This morning as I was reviewing incoming emails and news reports, I read a very moving and troubling letter about a family in Colorado Springs still waiting on word about their husband/father who was trapped in the rubble of Hotel Montana. They have been on a roller coaster of emotions; hearing first that the rescue efforts have shifted to recovery, now, that tapping is heard again which brings the rescue crews back. May God grant this precious family much grace to wait it out!

If you want more information on their story:

http://www.coloradoconnection.com/news/story.aspx?id=402939

Then my thoughts shift back to the countless Haitians who will never know exactly what happened to family members who are missing.

I cannot dig out, offer shelter, a soothing shower, or hot meal. But I can dig in and trust my God who will not forsake them.

Deuteronomy 31:8 reminds me:

The LORD himself goes before you and will be with you;

he will never leave you nor forsake you.

Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged.

I am clinging to that promise for my Haitian brothers and sisters; and also for our sister in Colorado Springs.

http://www.samaritanspurse.org/index.php/Samaritans_Purse_Today/post/god_is_now_real/

Reflections on a rough day.

I hesitate to call today a rough day, but it was. What I am feeling and experiencing is nothing compared to the devastation we see when we turn on the news. I think my emotions finally had a chance to spill over. My heart had been breaking for the country of Haiti; today it was breaking for David. He has had to put his camera down to haul supplies, translate for relief workers and bury bodies. His team leader has called him "an asset". Of course, as his proud wife, I am not surprised.

Even though this was a rough day, when I spoke with him, I was once again assured that this is where he is meant to be, that he was made for this. God is very present with him and will bring him through this; not untouched, but rather touched by the hand of God.

I have recevied a few images and they speak volumes to my heart; David's ability to capture the dignity of suffering people blesses me. Please keep watching Samaritan's Purse website; updates are changed several times a day!

http://www.samaritanspurse.org/index.php/Samaritans_Purse_Today/post/emotions_running_deep/

Aftershock rocks the city

By God's grace, early this morning, I heard that David was safe following the aftershock, before I even had a chance to hear about the aftershock.

This relief effort, not to mention rebuilding, is going to be a long haul. Your prayers and interest are very valuable! Thank you

https://www.samaritanspurse.org/index.php/Giving/Haiti_Donation/

http://www.samaritanspurse.org/index.php/Samaritans_Purse_Today/post/seeing_god_amid_tragedy/

http://www.samaritanspurse.org/index.php/Samaritans_Purse_Today/post/aftershock/

Getting the word out

Either this is a slow news day, or we are blessed to live in a town that can think outside of itself. Our local weekly paper is putting a photo from David on tomorrow's front page and tells his story.

http://nuggetnews.com/main.asp?SectionID=5&SubSectionID=5&ArticleID=16768&TM=6894.124

Haven't talked to him since Satruday night but I am confident he is safe. My contact at Samaritan's Purse today told me the media team is relocating today to a different location; doesn't surpirse me that David hasn't contacted me. On normal business trips we talk every few days. I hardly call this trip normal.

Recommended reading, but not for the faint of heart; the photographer referred to is David:

http://www.samaritanspurse.org/index.php/Samaritans_Purse_Today/post/report_from_the_ground/

We appreciate all of you and your interest and prayers.

Report from Carlos Castaneda, SP-Canada's international regional director for West Africa and Haiti for Operation Christmas Child:

http://www.samaritanspurse.org/index.php/Samaritans_Purse_Today/post/the_stories_are_heart_wrenching/

Praise in the midst of rubble

Hello dear praying friends and family,

Today was the first day since the quake that I haven't had CNN on all day. Will turn it on after dinner.

In the course of an otherwise "normal" type day, I read countless emails from others here in the states with deep ties to Haiti.  I have also received countless reports of the Haitian people singing in the evenings as it becomes dark; mostly they sing familiar hymns and church songs. Praising God for his deliverance and calling out to him to help them. They can be heard all over the capitol as their is nothing much else to do in the evenings with everyone "camping" out. Pretty humbling to me that having lost the very little they had, not to mention their loved ones, they can praise instead of blame God.

Sort of reminds me of an index card I saw on my mother-in-law's dresser mirror right after my father-in-law died suddenly: "When Jesus is all you have, you discover Jesus is all you need."

On a different note, for updates several times daily of the Samaritan's Purse relief efforts, and you are on, Facebook, look up and send a friend request to:

Samaritan's Purse International Relief - Official Page

Several updates from Samaritan's Purse:

http://www.samaritanspurse.org/index.php/Samaritans_Purse_Today/post/moved_to_help/

http://www.samaritanspurse.org/index.php/Samaritans_Purse_Today/post/dr_frist_working_with_samaritans_purse/

http://www.samaritanspurse.org/index.php/Samaritans_Purse_Today/post/treating_the_wounded/

http://www.samaritanspurse.org/index.php/Samaritans_Purse_Today/post/operation_christmas_child_response/