Haiti Update 1-22-10

After speaking to numerous people in Ft. Lauderdale, Florida this morning we felt like we had a workable plan and left for Santiago in the Dominican Republic.  We took on an additional 100 lbs of supplies that included some filters to keep the generators running in a Leogane clinic.  We had some names of people to see once we got there and hoped that we could make a small difference for someone.  We also knew that we could not deliver the 600lbs of medical supplies for Partners-in-Health to Port-au-Prince until Friday at 11:40am.  By now I trust you all have seen the news on the problems of getting supplies into the Port-au-Prince airport.  The US Army has worked with the US FAA and there is a reservation system, and that was the best reservation time we could get.

 

Once we arrived in Santiago activity really picked up. We immediately connected with a missionary organization called “Go-Ministries.”  This organization specializes in short-term missionary trips into Haiti and the Dominican Republic.  Since they see themselves as specializing in logistical services they felt that God’s purpose for them in this disaster was to coordinate relief from Santiago into Haiti. The leaders of this mission used most of their operating capital and bought food and medical supplies to start the process.  They have been receiving donations ever since. As a result, they literally have tons of supplies that need to be delivered all over Haiti.  As we feared, with Port-au-Prince completely broken down, outlying regions that should be receiving supplies are not receiving any.

 

When we arrived we were also pleased to see about six other airplanes, all similar in size, loading and taking supplies into Haiti.  We learned that Jacmel was now receiving large C-130s so we were asked to go to Port-de-Paix on the north fork with food and water.  We unloaded the medical equipment we brought down (to be reloaded tomorrow) and took on 1000lbs of food.

 

We were told the Port-de-Paix runway was unimproved (dirt) and that the terrain was challenging on both ends.  This all was an understatement of reality.  The runway was filled with people and when a plane flies over, the people clear the dirt runway.  The approach was over a hill and then a quick drop in.  Let’s just say both of us were praying on the approach and when we hit the dirt it was…amazing. Our arrival was like a scene out of National Geographic with people surrounding the airplane and the area to see what was going on.  Our take-off was a dust storm as we raced toward the houses built at the end of the runway and then turning left immediately to avoid another hill.  Scott is an amazing pilot from my seat!  Another plane followed us in and out with supplies and it was all quite a scene. Watch Scott and Den's Landing.

 

This evening we were blessed when we were told that “Go-Ministries” is going to double our load into Port-au-Prince tomorrow with 600 more pounds of medical supplies (we can take on more weight as we do not need as much fuel).  This evening before we left the airfield we loaded 1200 lbs. of food and medical supplies onto the plane and we expect to return to Port-de-Paix before going to Port-au-Prince tomorrow.  If things go well in the afternoon we will make one, possibly two more deliveries.

 

We are counting on your prayer support and trust that we are being ambassadors of your trust and love.

 

Pastor Dennis and Scott