Saturday in Haiti

Shawn and I spent the entire day at the orphanage destruction site (after three hours of uploading two videos which makes me crazy but I know people want to see). I posted them on facebook and other people with more knowhow are working on getting them on the blog.
The entire orphanage, which was the second story of the church that collapsed in the earthquake, which was basically still in tacked but unlivable—leaning over with significant damage, has now been reduced to rubble with thousands of swings of the Haitian’s hammers. All that remains is the rebar that once held the concrete roof and the rebar that was inside the concrete roof. All the inside and outside walls and the entire roof have been reduced to rubble—all by hand. It has been sad to watch as I had once sat watching as they built it, brick by brick, and now the very same people who helped build it are knocking it down—brick by brick. I am happy to a part to this group of Haitians and in some ways I am happy they have a job as things are very difficult in this country on a good day, without an earthquake.
There were still pictures and notes on the walls of the orphanage from some of the girl’s sponsors. One Christmas card from a sponsor still taped to a now destroyed wall. Many memories of the last several years come to mind…but it is a new day and we will begin again. I continue to praise God that none of the girls or Marie were injured and that most of the people we know were not hurt. Many were not so fortunate in this neighborhood and in and all around Port au Prince.
Marie, Shawn, and I talked about how we may be able to help others in the neighborhood and we will continue to discuss this and assess the needs. Marie will make room for teams to come down once we get the rubble cleared away. It will take some planning so we can be helpful and not get in the way. Many things need to be done, people need help, many have lost everything, and most of us have more than we need—maybe we can continue to share our blessings with others just as God intended.
Shawn and I have been driving Marie’s car which is a disaster waiting to happen. It needs major work and I am going to talk to John tomorrow (I hope) to see if he will do it. Minor in comparison to not having a home but we can run and get things when they are needed with a car.
Continue to pray for the people of Haiti. It is a difficult life here but the Haitians teach me something every day. They are strong, resourceful, and wonderful! God bless them!