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/

Reflections on Haiti

I am getting some questions about the bigger picture, looking past this extreme crisis and the longterm implications for Haiti.

I am no expert! I have definite views and passions about development work which I would hope for Haiti. These views are certainly not uniquely my own.

Truly successful development work is one which enables a people to improve their own situation. The goal being to work oneself out of a job, not to increase dependence. It is my small experience that the people of Haiti know what they need and are certainly capable of brainstorming and suggesting solutions. What they lack is resources but they are a resilient and proud people and certainly deserve to be treated with dignity and respect.

And yes, the situation is ripe for corruption and abuse. That's where responsible giving on our part plays an important role in future rebuildling efforts as does prayer and thoughtul intervention.

I appreciated Secretary of State Hilary Clinton's remarks yesterday after meeting with Haitian President Renee Preval. I think her comments about working WITH the Haitian government toned down the impression that the US might be racing in and taking over. Even if the Haitian government is severely strained and inadequate, Haiti is still a sovereign nation.

Hope that helps!!!

I've also attached an article written by Charles Parker, Producer with Samaritan's Purse Broadcast department, whom David is working with. It gives a pretty good idea of what David is seeing and doing.

Appreciating your interest, care and prayers.

Cindy, for David and our sons, Josh and Nate

Article by Charles Parker, for Samaritan's Purse:

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

Some of David's photographs are being posted:
http://www.samaritanspurse.org/index.php/In_Pictures

Providing clean drinkng water:

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

I "talked" to David tonight

I had the opportunity to "talk" with David tonight through the internet. As my 93 year-old mom would say, isn't technology amazing!

He is doing well, but sounded weary. Of course it is 11:30 pm his time and he is not known to be a night owl.

Things are getting up to speed, but slowly. He confirmed what we keep hearing on the news: the city's infrastructure is shot so everything takes way longer than it used to take, which was already slow by American standards. (Not always a bad thing, I would add.)

They spent most of yesterday at the airport unloading supplies. Today, he toured a few of the makeshift tent cites scattered around Port and took photographs. As I type this, he is going through his photos to download and get to the states for Samaritan's Purse to use.

The Haitian people he has been in contact with have seemed to be in pretty good spirits. They are a resilient people and many have a deep faith in God and ordinarily rely on Him for their daily needs.

He shared no personal concerns, only those of the relief workers: security could quickly become an issue as could spread of disease after a few more days with so many people living under these conditions.

Again, thank you for your thoughts and prayers for the people of Haiti.

If you are interested, check this for video and still photo updates:

www.samaritanspurse.org

and for a specific recap of SP's work there today:

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

Beauty for Ashes

Dear Friends and Family

First of all, thank you again for your interest and prayers. And if you prefer not receiving these updates, I would NOT be offended; please just ask me to remove you from my list.

I am receiving emails and facebook messages from others in the States who have ties to Haiti. It seems that many Haitians are leaving the capitol seeking relief in outlying regions of Haiti. However, the outlying stores of food and hospital capacity are now becoming depleted as they are normally supplied from Port-su-Prince. So, please pray that the relief co-ordinators in the capitol will be thinking about the ramifications of this development.

I have been in touch with my contact at Samaritan's Purse, the group David is in Haiti with. She has not received any news from them yet and like me, assumes "no news is good news".

She will have a conference call with the team on the ground tonight at 8 pm EST and will update me as soon as she can. I will pass that update on to you.

If you are interested in seeing the brief story about David broadcast on our local news last night, I have attached it. If you cannot open it, I apologize that I won't have a clue how to help you; the family specialist for such things is in Haiti!

As you pray for the people of Haiti, please pray that God will:

bestow on them a crown of beauty
instead of ashes,
the oil of gladness
instead of mourning,
and a garment of praise
instead of a spirit of despair. Isaiah 61:3

Thank you. Here is the link to Samaritans Purse, the agency David is with. For a glimpse at David's photography, check out the second link.

www.samaritanspurse.org

www.luminescentimages.com