Mission to Haiti – November 7, 2010
This past week we had several opportunities to sit with Dr. Bill and Ruth Cooper over a cup of coffee after breakfast or after supper and discuss many of the questions that we may never have the answer for until we arrive in heaven, and can then pigeonhole Paul or Peter or John to find out what it was they were trying to share with us. It’s kind of neat because Dr. Bill and Ruth are so well traveled and have experienced so much having served in a number of ministries around the world that if they don’t have the answer we’re not sure we will learn the answer this side of the pearly gates. As well, with the election in the USA this has led to some interesting conversations. It is obvious that they do not care for the current POTUS and feel the evangelical community is not receiving the support that it should from the oval office.
We had a team arrive this past week from the Dallas, Texas area. The team leaders are old friends, Gary & Leanne Glabe who, when we first met, were living in Indiana. Their team is a mix of medical people (doctors, nurses, etc.) and some fixit types like Gary who is an electrician by trade. We went to the same church as they did this past Sunday and had an opportunity to chat with some of the team members after the service. They were all first timers with the exception of Gary and Leanne and were blown away by the enthusiasm of the congregation and the strength of their faith amidst the poverty and despair that is a part of the day-to-day existence. Gary & Leanne brought us in some kitchen gagets that Dorothy had been wanting prior to our leaving but we just didn't have any more room. We thank them very much for their blessing to us.
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Cholera picture from internet article |
We mentioned the cholera epidemic last week, and while the number of deaths and new infections has declined as rapidly as it appeared, the death toll was still over 300 with well over 4,000 known cases. It touched one of the employees here at the Seminary as well. James, our night watchman, is an interesting story himself because he originally traveled from Port-au-Prince to Saccenville to find out all about voodoo with a view to becoming a voodoo leader. However, he had a change of plans when he met a local pastor shortly after arriving here, and instead was to find out all about Jesus and become a follower of Christ. James, whose mother we understand supported her family of eight children through prostitution, died with cholera this past week in Port au Prince. James is the oldest of the siblings and the only one with a job that pays a regular salary. It is now up to James to find the money to bury his mother and to somehow take care of his brothers and sisters, the youngest of which is six years old. Several of the siblings do not have the same father. This serves to remind us that not only the people who came down with cholera are the victims, but it is also the family members left behind who are victims as well, having to live a life predicated by a set of circumstances over which they have no control.
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| Road from Saccenville to Vaudreuil |
This week we have been watching the status of HurricaneTomas that, up until today (Wednesday), was forecast to be a level one or two hurricane heading right for Haiti. It now has been downgraded but will still dump a load of rain. Of course, there was major concern that the tent cities in the Port area would be destroyed from the wind and rain and at this point there are not enough new tents or tarpaulins to accommodate such a situation. Oops!! Now this morning (Thursday) they are talking again about it returning to hurricane strength and giving Haiti a blast. We better stay out of the weather forecasting business and report after the fact rather than before.
We had our weekly prayer service this afternoon at the Vaudreuil compound followed by a potluck. What an adventure driving home after dark in one of the worst vehicles from that compound. The last person who drove the car had part of the steering column tied together with pieces of rope. That has since been fixed. There is one tail light, the speedometer doesn’t work (not that that really matters on the terribly bumpy roads), the gas gauge doesn’t work, the suspension doesn’t suspend, most of the ceiling panels are missing and the air-conditioning (open windows) was at its best allowing all the dust from the road to flow in as faster vehicles flew by. We were pretending we were enjoying a cushioned ride in a brand new air-conditioned BMW. Well, one can dream can’t they even in Haiti.
Thank you to those who have e-mailed us. We so appreciate hearing from you. God bless you all.
John and Dorothy
