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

Landing in Port-au-Prince

I heard from David very early this morning as he was about to take off for Port-au-Prince. He waitied all day for clearance to leave Flordia and by last night was very ready to get there.

I received confirmation from Samaritan's Purse of his arrival and he managed to get a brief note me. He hadn't left the airport in Port-au-Prince yet as they were waiting for a cargo plane to arrive and unload.

Link for more info:

http://www.samaritanspurse.org/

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

He should be landing soon

Talked to David an hour ago as he was about to take off from West Palm Beach in a small chartered jet. He should be landing soon.

Please pray for him as he arrives and absorbs the initial shock.

I was just speaking to my best friend about how David has been ramping up his Bible reading and physical exercise regime for the last couple of months.Obviously both will help him in the days ahead. Isn't that just the way God works to equip us if we listen to him?

We love you all and so appreciate the prayers.

Still in West Palm Beach

To my dear family,

First of all, thank you for the prayers on Haiti's behalf. I know your hearts are heavy too.

I appreciate too your prayers for David. It's amazing to me how connected I feel to him right now. Sort of like when I spend so much time with him on a daily basis, I take for granted that he is "here". I heard in his voice this morning how sobered he is by the reports and images of devastation and desperation coming out of Haiti and there is not a moment that goes by that I am thinking of him and the situation he is about to step into. Having lived there and having developed ties to the people, I am so grateful that him being there does not terrify me. Instead, I have profound peace and deep but subtle joy that he can be there to serve in Jesus name. My heart is there right now.

Long story short.....?!

WIth Port-au-Prince in shambles and the desperation rising, it becomes increasingly critical that relief arrives. However, due to many factors, the co-ordination of the efforts is extremely challenging.

Apparently there is a backlog of airplanes on the tarmac in Port which need to be re-fueled in order to make room for the next wave of incoming flights. Subsequently, some flights have chosen to land in Santo Domingo and continue on to Port by land. Some have been re-routed to neighboring islands until they can fly into Port. Some flights have been turned back to Florida, or simply have not yet taken off, as in David's case. He spent the day in and out of a chartered plane receiving clearance to fly, then having it revoked. I just got word that he is spending the night in West Palm Beach again tonight.

I hope to talk to him this evening. If I have anything else to add, I will let you know.

I love you all dearly. Cindy

David is on his way to Haiti

David left this afternoon for West Palm Beach, Florida where he will connect with a media team from Samaritan's Purse and the Billy Graham Evangelistic Association. They will fly to Port-au-Prince, Haiti tomorrow morning on a chartered humanitarian flight.

While our hearts are very heavy for this new wave of devastation that has hit the people of Haiti, we are overwhelmed by God's love. We are amazed and so grateful that He would uniquely equip and prepare David to be a part of this story of relief and love extended to Haiti.

Please pray for the co-ordination efforts of the various relief organizations and for the people already in Haiti who are trying to cope with an extremely challenging situation. Please pray specifically for David against any equipment malfunctions, for safety and flexibility as he travels and arrives in Port-au-Prince. Please pray especially that he will see things with the eyes of God and inVall his ways, will be the sweet fragrance of God.