Haiti Update from Delia 10-22-10
Port-au-Prince
Reported by Delia Nüesch-Olver on behalf of the second response team
Friday, Jan 22, 2010
We flew to the Dominican Republic yesterday where we were met by
Kendra and Sammy Luna, members of the Davison MI Free Methodist Church.
We traveled together for some 3 ½ hours towards the border where we had
a short night sleep.
Kendra and Sammy Luna, members of the Davison MI Free Methodist Church.
We traveled together for some 3 ½ hours towards the border where we had
a short night sleep.
Today we drove into Haiti. Once we saw the conditions of a road
never intended for relief traffic, it was not difficult to understand
why the delivery of aid has been slow. We were part of a three-vehicle
convoy but it was bumper-to-bumper traffic all way to Port-au-Prince.
never intended for relief traffic, it was not difficult to understand
why the delivery of aid has been slow. We were part of a three-vehicle
convoy but it was bumper-to-bumper traffic all way to Port-au-Prince.
The destruction in Port-au-Prince is unbelievable, and I am
told we have not yet seen the worst, which is downtown. Our first stop
was the Friends of Haiti Organization (FOHO) building. There are no
words to express the shock of seeing that building destroyed by the
earthquake. It is beyond comprehension that anyone inside did survive,
and it is clear nothing could have been done to rescue the four (three
missionaries and the caretaker) people who lost their lives in the
collapse.
We met with General Superintendent Clovis and some of his
leaders and brought greetings and love from Free Methodists and fellow
believers around the world. After we prayed together we sat down to
discuss a strategy for relief and reconstruction, which we will start
implementing tomorrow.
leaders and brought greetings and love from Free Methodists and fellow
believers around the world. After we prayed together we sat down to
discuss a strategy for relief and reconstruction, which we will start
implementing tomorrow.
We will:
- Decide on a staging place for arrival of aid.
- First rebuild the schools so the children – including those
sponsored through ICCM – can continue their education and their lives
can begin to normalize. - Rebuild pastor's houses so they can minister to others
The first medical team arrives Sunday. An ICCM (International
Child Care Ministries) team arrives Wednesday. The first construction
team arrives the following week.
Child Care Ministries) team arrives Wednesday. The first construction
team arrives the following week.
The Dominican Republic General Conference sent a team with food
and water to the Haitian people – which is being distributed even as I
write these words. For many reasons, this is very meaningful and
beautiful to see, in spite of the tragedy.
and water to the Haitian people – which is being distributed even as I
write these words. For many reasons, this is very meaningful and
beautiful to see, in spite of the tragedy.
Today I met several heroes. We had the opportunity to personally
thank Gaity, Mollard and others who risked their lives on the day of
the earthquake to save Katie Zook and Jack Munos on our FM team. We
cannot believe they got them out. They join us in mourning the loss of
our Free Methodist missionaries, Jeanne Acheson-Munos, Merle West and
Gene Dufour. Andy Yardy filmed comments from Haitian people as they
mourned the loss of our friends in the FOHO building.
People we met seemed to have moved out of their initial shock and into the reality of what this will mean for Haiti long term.
thank Gaity, Mollard and others who risked their lives on the day of
the earthquake to save Katie Zook and Jack Munos on our FM team. We
cannot believe they got them out. They join us in mourning the loss of
our Free Methodist missionaries, Jeanne Acheson-Munos, Merle West and
Gene Dufour. Andy Yardy filmed comments from Haitian people as they
mourned the loss of our friends in the FOHO building.
People we met seemed to have moved out of their initial shock and into the reality of what this will mean for Haiti long term.
Thank you for your giving last Sunday. Thanks to your generosity,
we were able to personally deliver significant amounts of money to the
people of Haiti. The road ahead will be long and difficult, but
together we will be able to accomplish what none of us could do alone.
Please make sure that if your church desires to sends a team to help
with the reconstruction that you work through the FMWM VISA Office, so
our choices honors the priority list of our Haitian leadership.
we were able to personally deliver significant amounts of money to the
people of Haiti. The road ahead will be long and difficult, but
together we will be able to accomplish what none of us could do alone.
Please make sure that if your church desires to sends a team to help
with the reconstruction that you work through the FMWM VISA Office, so
our choices honors the priority list of our Haitian leadership.
