Haiti - Day 4

Wow, what a day!  After breakfast, we headed down to the warehouse, where as of today, 2.3 million meals and other aid have been shipped out to church distribution sites all across Port au Prince.  All morning and into the early afternoon, Steve and I worked alongside the Haitians receiving trucks filled with new supplies.  The much needed supplies consist of many items including, rice, beans, canned meats, sleeping bags, tents, medical supplies, crocs and even a portable x-ray machine for the clinic that is located just yards from the warehouse.  As supplies came in, those same supplies began to go out in smaller trucks to churches who would distribute the aid.    In some cases the aid went out as soon as it came it - no delays, very little red tap - awesome.

At about 2:30 p.m.,  Paul came by and asked us to go with him into Port au Prince.  We got into the truck and off we went.  During the twenty minute drive into Port au Prince, we passed by the coast line, some beautiful rolling hills and then a distinct smell.  "What is that smell,"  I asked Paul.  He said that it was a combination of the sulfur lake near by mixed in with smell of decomposing bodies in the mass grave up the hill to our right.  In the distance, we could see heavy equipment sitting on a hill that had been used to create the final resting place for thousands.

As we progressed into the city, every so often we would come across tent cities.  These make shift communities numbered in the dozens and sometimes into the thousands.  The randonness of the earthquake devastation was surprising.  A three or four story structure that was completely pancaked may be sitting next to a store that was now open and functioning.  The streets were filled with people:  a few beggars, some shoppers and vendors of every kind.  And the traffic was the worst of any country I have ever traveled.  Our two hour trip into and out of the city turned into about four due the grindlock.  We arrived back in time for dinner and an short evening of reflection and fellowship.

I am starting to next a feel of the needs that Convoy of Hope is meeting and the structure it is fine tuning to meet these needs.  I look forward to another great day tomorrow.  Thank you to all who have sent me and are praying for me.

Lord, here are we, use us (me in Haiti and you in prayer).