Tuesday, December 14, 2010

Spoke with Hanania & Edrick today

News from Haiti arrives by; letter, email or phone...today it was by phone. We are trying to discover exactly which parts are needed for the F-250 Super Cab to start. The mechanic, who speaks English, lives and works in Port au Prince...lives under a tarp and relies on his cellphone for contact. However, his phone is "not in service" which means he has no place to charge it...today.

I spoke with Hanania...Dorothy's clinic administrator and jack of all trades...Edrick this morning. They are both well and safe as are all the others that work for Dorothy...a blessing. Hanania said that there have been no Cholera patients coming to our clinic in Pister...they would have to be turned away for lack of antibiotics anyway...that area is clear of it. However, her personal doctor has treated 600 patients so far and 20 have passed away. The hospitals are refusing Cholera patients...they are being sent to a school gym by the hundreds and are being treated by hundreds of doctors and nurses from the US and elsewhere.

Everyone washes everything with Clorox mixed with water and all drinking water is made safe with Clorox as well. The election results will be posted on December 20th to determine for sure who will be in the run-off election. Depending on the outcome there may be more riots in January but right now everyone is "calm."

Hanania and Edrick both sound very good and wanted me to pass their greeting along to their friends in Michigan and elsewhere who are following the blog.

Apparently it is known who took the items from Dorothy's home but their name will not be given out...out of fear. The home has been made more secure and someone stays there overnight.

Sorry to skip around so much...Edrick says the truck's water pump has begun to leak so we'll pick one up tomorrow and send it down along with whatever parts we know they need. Hanania said anyone thinking of coming to Haiti might want to wait until after January and the election results. Her daughter is growing fast and just fine.

Please keep Dorothy and her capable staff in your prayers as well as the people of Haiti who struggle each day with difficulties that we can only imagine...unless you've been there to see for yourself.
Staton

Saturday, December 4, 2010

Limited news emerging lately

Spoke with Dorothy for 30 minutes this week but she's heard nothing from Hanania other than when the break-in took place several things have turned up missing. It happened on a Sunday morning so someone was keeping an eye open for their opportunity.

Apparently the entire solar system, which was stored inside, was removed...2 panels, batteries, inverter, charger, small generator, TV, VCR, and DVD player also are missing. Her computer, copier and office items weren't discussed. The brand new washing machine has its own room and appears safe.

Don't be confused about the solar systems...the one at the clinic is intact. Times are very difficult in Haiti, for everyone. Hanania has moved out of her family home...lots of family moved in from Port au Prince (10 in all) so she moved across town near where Edrick lives.

D.F. and Edrick went to PAP to get the truck fixed...no luck but it still cost $400 and nothing changed...Edrick thinks they need a glo plug so we'll get working on that when we learn more.

Dorothy was shocked at how extensive the tent cities are...it takes 8 hours to drive the 90 miles south to PAP and the tarp/tent cities are "everywhere"....it's "incredible" and such very unsafe living conditions.

She shared that the elections won't be settled for some time and no one is happy with the candidates or the supposed winners. Voting stations in the north were destroyed in areas otherwise considered safe in the past. Dorothy compares the scene in Haiti to the situation in Nineva in Johah's time...I think she's right.

Soaring Unlimited has it's annual meeting today and you can expect a newsletter very soon from them...we need to find room in our hearts for those we know and love in Haiti and those who serve the Lord there. Cholera is cured with antibiotics but the clinic is out and so is much of the country.

Good news? Well just imagine how bad things would be if the hurricane season struck Haiti full force instead of a glancing blow, no pun intended.
Staton