Day 14 in Haiti

Today was a day off from any kind of work.  This morning Nicole and I read some french books with the kids, then watched the last half of Mary Poppins.  We love that movie. 
After this we really just hung out together.  We played in the park, read some more stories and simply spend time together talking.  We all enjoyed it.   After lunch it was time to go to the beach.  We ended up getting there at about 2 pm which allowed us to get an hour or so of sun before it went behind the mountain.  We've all been in Haiti for 14 days and we still are white as snow.  If we are not in the shade, we are in the water, so no much time in the sun.  If you decide to be in the sun, you can only last for about 5 minutes before you overheat!!

This evening we were all invited by Marc and Lisa to out for dinner at a local restaruant that is just down the beach from where we swim.  Eight adults and 6 kids went for dinner at Ville Taini.  A small restraurnat run by a French couple.  They serve a set menu with choice of Beef, Chicken or Fish.  We all had beef skewers, and I must say it was very good.   There is little chance the beef was from Haiti, I've seen the cows there is no meat on them.  For dessert we had ICE CREAM!!!  The kids were very excited and the parents enjoyed it too.   Three flavors even, chocolate, vanilla and cookies and cream MMMM!  If was a very plesant evening and a nice change from the food in the compound.

Last night Nicole and many others said there was an aftershock.  It shook the bed and jarred our bedroom door open.  I obviously slept through it as I have no recollection whatsoever. 

It is a whole different set of challenges to deal with down here.  Aftershocks, Tropical storms, and now Cholera.   The latest news says that the Cholera came from the UN support team from Nepal.  It is said that they dumped their raw sewage into the river. 

We have researched tropical storms and hurricanes since these are common here.  Tropical Storm TOMAS is coming closer and is probably 1-2 days away.   For those interested it is neat to follow the storm, go to the National Hurrican Centre to see live updates on storms. 

So as I try to understand the issues that people are dealing with it becomes overwhelming.  Many people are living in tents and if they have a house, it is  only used during the day.  They are too scared to sleep in for fear of another earthquake.  When aftershocks happen like last night it simple prolongs their fear and they have no reason to complete their house.  Add to this TOMAS which may or may not hit Haiti directly, but will likely bring winds and rain.  Wind and rain on tents in not a good combination.  If the storm does come closer and causes any kind of flooding then the tents are no much use, the chance of the cholera spreading form the flooding is high and the whole problem just gets worse. 

So what do we do?  We continue to pray.  When we are in the compound we can see all the great things that God is doing for the people that come here and those that are influenced by what Haiti Arise does.  When we leave the compound and see where God has not been welcome the results are obvious.  I'm not totally sure it is a simple at this but from our point of view it is.  God is only there to help if he is asked and invited. 

I will leave you with Matthew 7:13.

"Enter by the narrow gate.  For the gate is wide and the way is easy that leads to destruction, and those who enter by it are many.  For the gate is narrow and the way is hard that leads to life, and those who find it are few."

Good night and God Bless.

Charles, Nicole, Anica and Noah.