Dear Friends,
Our team packed the truck with supplies and at about 3:30 am and were on the road by just after 4 am. Our wonderful hosts were up to help with the packing and even a cup of coffee (We would have packed the truck the night before, but were worried about the security of the truck and its contents). We traveled for about 9 ½ hours to the border of the Haiti. Once there we joined a UN military convoy. We arrived at our destination in the capital almost exactly 12 hours from the time we left. It was a difficult journey, but worth the results. We arrived in time to offer the only medical supplies available (syringes) for a boy with seizures and needed an injection of some kind. I am sure that I don't really know what the syringes were for, but that they were desperately needed. It is a good feeling to be there for people in need. Thank YOU for your support!!!
The situation in Haiti is changing. There are UN and US Military everywhere. The streets are jammed and blocked. There are lines a mile long at the US embassy. Houses everywhere are collapsed or cracked so too dangerous to live in. There are people living everywhere that there is a flat space without a car or a building. It is surreal to see so many familiar places destroyed.
The earthquake this morning was responsible for more collapsed building, but mostly for finishing off the ones already damaged. People are very nervous about being near buildings right now. Where we are staying there are families sprawled all over the grass, driveways, fields and under trees. We are in tents on the soccer field.
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This morning we packed up and went to our neighborhood. We have decided to stay there with people we know. I believe that people are beginning to come into Port-au-prince via www.missionaryflights.org (MFI) from Florida. We are partnering with organizations here to distribute food to hard to reach areas. My good friend in the Dom. Rep. has agreed to allow us to use a truck for a week or so. We need to be able to give him some kind of compensation at some point. Thanks to our friends in the DR.
We have space for about 4 volunteers in the medical field, but it is necessary that the medicines come in with them. Most organizations are no longer accepting doctors because there are several bottlenecks. We have heard of many doctors and nurses leaving because they couldn't find patients or medicine. This is why it is important to bring medical supplies with you if you come.
An orphanage in our area had a wall collapse during the earthquake. Robbers came in last night and were threatening and shooting, so they will be coming to stay with us tonight.
So much is going on…. I have to go before we something comes up that will stop this message from getting out. We will be using the next few days to get ourselves organized so that we can find the best way to be used.
Good times,
Shane
