MORE

I find that I'm still unable to write in any detail about the earthquake so Ben suggested that I post a few more pictures instead. He was interviewed yesterday by someone at MCC in Akron : http://mcc.org/stories/podcasts/world-shaken I haven't had a chance to listen to it yet.

Here is how MCC is responding thus far:

http://mcc.org/stories/news/mcc-staff-ground-waiting-larger-relief-efforts-begin

http://mcc.org/stories/podcasts/mcc-disaster-coordinators-head-haiti

http://mcc.org/stories/videos/mcc-haiti-earthquake-response

Please consider giving here:

https://donate.mcc.org/project/haiti-earthquake

Our area director and the couple in charge of disaster relief were supposed to arrive on an MAF charter flight today, but I just heard that not even the charter flights are getting in. I have spent most of the day today at the UN logbase, the staging ground for relief efforts. I'm with a friend, Elizabeth Sipple, who happened to be near our house during the earthquake. We're trying to access some of the material aid that has managed to get here (tents, food, water, medical supplies) to help the people in our community. Ben, Pancha and Elizabeth's fiancee, Carlito, are doing an assessment in Narette to figure out what is most needed as well as how many people still missing and triage wounded victims. I think they'll also be setting up our yard for the growing number of people that are living with us right now - Bryan and Sharon will be driving in from Desarmes with as many supplies as they can round up and it will be a relief to see them.

Here at the base, I am able to access the internet (and eat an omelete - amazing!) and for the first time was able to read all of your wonderful and encouraging messages. Thank you and please keep them coming. One of these days we'll need to process our own experience, but until that happens your messages are a reminder to us that we've survived something horrible and that an emotional response is healthy. We're trying to take care of ourselves. Elizabeth, Pancha and I spent about an hour doing yoga before we crashed last night. I keep my phone on and with me with the (unrealistic?) hope that I'll suddenly get a signal and can call my family.