The state of things

I don’t even really know how to start this post. When I look out my windows nothing in our area looks different. People are going about their day, just like they always do. But I know the reality for many people in the country is very different today.

Last night was late and short for us. Chris was really shaken when he got home, and understandably. As we were able to sit and talk more last night he shared what he’d been through and it left me with tears, aching for him and the things he had seen and experienced, and for all those that were suffering. After he was able to help the first girl out of the building yesterday he went deeper in and found another girl. He did everything he could with what he had in the limited light and couldn’t get her out. He knew her name and had to walk away. There was no one around to help him and aftershocks were hitting. It was getting dark. I don’t understand what is going on in his heart, I can only imagine, and it breaks my heart.

We were up early this morning to get things prepped so Chris could take all of our workers, our friend Barb, two other missionaries, our two trucks and a bunch of tools to Port to help out where they can. I was expecting to have some of them resist the plan when they heard it, but not a single person did. As Chris recounted the events of yesterday they were all in. They gathered together, grabbed what they could and we prayed and they were off. I am amazed at the resiliency of the Haitian people. I want to ask for your prayers. today will be a very difficult day for all of them. Chris knew what they were going back into, our workers didn’t because the phones are still down and the access to information is so limited. My heart is hurting for what I know they will be seeing and experiencing.

A big part of me wanted to go to because I think I would feel more useful there. But, I know that the best thing I can be doing today is to be at home, staying in touch with people and making things feel as normal as possible for Olivia. there have been several times today where she has seen me tear up because of what I’m seeing or reading and she’ll just say, “Mommy sad.” Yes, Mommy is very sad. The more news that comes out online or through other missionaries in Port the more sad and dire the whole situation is. To see pictures of the grocery store where we shopped flattened, or to see pictures of the National Palace destroyed are shocking. We were hearing things last night, but the photos were limited. Just before we went to bed we looked online again and realized that they weren’t rumors, but fact. The feeling was indescribable. The closest I could come is surreal.

When you hear reports that 60% of Port au Prince has been flattened, it’s true. To understand the magnitude of that, aside from the lives affected, consider that Port au Prince is the center of the country. It is where all the main government offices are, where all the main commerce happens and where so many resources are based out of. Consider that infrastructure is almost non-existent. Consider that after 6 years of cleaning up from the World Trade Centers collapse they were still cleaning up. This, is an entire city. The long term effects are baffling. And, we won’t truly know what they are until much, much later.

I think that’s all I can muster right now. Please be praying for Haiti.

I know many of you are wondering what’s happening with Peter and Sara. They got to Ft. Lauderdale after some travel woes of their own, only to find out that the earthquake had happened. They are still in Ft. Lauderdale and are hanging tight until there is more info about when flights will resume. We’ll keep you updated about all that too as we have news. Just pray for them.