September 18, 2008 – Thursday – 1:48am (Eastern Time) – I-95 Southbound to Miami – enroute to Haiti – Report submitted by Joe Hurston (Air Mobile Joe)

Well, here we are again, just 24 hours after our return to be heading back to Haiti. This time, we have a team of 10 and a lot of work will be going on. The most recent trip was precipitated by the terrible series of storms that have ravaged Haiti. This trip that we are currently on, has been on our schedule for several months. We’ll be doing quite a lot work in Barbara Walker’s village. Now, on to this mission and the last mission. 

Last Saturday, September 13, 2008, Joe Prussel (“Water Mule Extraordinaire”)headed to Haiti. We linked up with Barbara Walker and headed up toward Gonaives. We knew there would be great difficulties. Well, it began with our water purifiers being seized by Customs. We managed to get them out. The story is below on the 9-13-08 report. All things work for the good. Our best information indicated that we could slip in the “back-door” of Gonaives, the hardest hit city, by way of Mirabalais. The info was flawed. Upon arrival, we found the main bridge crossing the river was completely destroyed. Plan B, head back to the main road and get as far as we can. 

Once on the main highway, we had a blow-out at 50mph (about the maximum speed you can drive in Haiti). The tire was completely destroyed and our spare leaked. We prayed. Within minutes a fine young man pulled over. Brought us to a road-side repair area. He even hand pumped the air in; loaded the tire and brought us back to the truck. Within minutes we were on the road. He would not accept a dime in payment! The mis-information and flat tire prevented us from getting to the main river in Montrouis. We stopped at a nice, but nearly abandoned resort and had a great dinner, caught up our blog and had a good night’s sleep. Tomorrow would be a challenging day. 

Upon arrival in Montrouis, the bridge over the Montrouis river that we have crossed hundreds of times was severely damaged and unpassable. There was a strong effort toward rebuilding, but it will be a major project. This bridge completley cuts the north off from the south, a major problem in getting aid into the areas that so desperately need it. We began hunting for the “way around”. A pleasant young man named Gary introduces himself. He immediately brings us down the small path/road to the farm planted with bananas and corn. The passage was treacherous. The river was raging. We saw large trucks and busses partially submered. Yet with a good view and identifying the high spots, it would be possible to navigate across with a 4 wheel drive, diesel truck. Our next obstacle; the 4 wheel drive did not work. 

We backed out and found a road-side mechanic. We got the shifter to work and “assumed” the 4 wheel function was working. We approached the river, took a couple of deep breaths, popped the clutch, struck the mud and sank like a rock. The 4wheel drive was clearly inop. The owner of the small farm was a bit irate at all the traffic. We prayed, made friends and waited for a way out. The locals tried to push, but to no avail. We were really stuck. 

Even had a pleasent encounter with young Jordanian UN officer. 

Still no help. We had a decision to make. Get a pull across the river and go deeper into the destruction without 4 wheel drive or get pulled back and go find repair. The day was getting on. We had life-saving Voyagers on-board. It was not easy, but our team decided to press on. Within minutes, a large front-end loader offered us a pull across the river. We took it. 

Our new friend, Gary, offered to stay just on the other side and find us a mechanic for our return crossing. He had a cell phone and we were off to Gonaives. The road was rough but did not require 4 wheel drive. As we approached the area known as “Sweaty Palm Pass”, our hearts sank. In 2004, a huge new lake formed after Hurricane Jean. An elevated road had been constructed. The road was completley underwater and unpassable. A decent by-pass had been put in place and was easily repaired to allow traffic into Gonaives. We quickly by-passed the new, bigger lake and came back to the main road right at Pastor Michel Morrisett’s mission. We know the mission well, as it was our staging area during the last flood. We were shocked to see how much worse Hannah and Ike treated this region. The water covered most of the compound. Over 1500 people had set up residence in a compound barely able to handle 100. I quickly found Pastor Michel and expressed my deep regret at the loss of his father in law. You see, his father-in-law passed away before his eyes during the flood. Also, Pastor Michel was an eye-witness to a number of deaths as the ravaging storm waters rose with rapid ferocity. 

Then it was right on to the issue of water. Several of our purifiers that we had donated in the past were swamped and covered in mud in houses that were submerged. We had 8 units that we could leave. Then we met Elizabeth. A very bright, capalbe young lady working on her thesis at Pastor Michel’s mission. She was rapidly recruited and within minutes, we had 4 Vortex Voyagers pumping clean water on Pastor Michel’s front porch. Within an hour, we pumped nearly 80 gallons of near surgically pure water. The lessons were learned and the commission was awarded. Elizabeth would be in charge of the Voyager project. We promised to return soon to strengthen her hand. After a quick documentary shot with Pator Michel and Elizabeth and myself, we packed up and made a mad dash back to the swollen river, a 2.5 hour drive. 

The truck began to encounter structural problems. The metal cage on the back had broken loose. Our journey was slowed considerably. We knew we would not make the river by dark. We phoned Gary and had a pleasant surprise. The head of the UN force working on the bridge is a Canadian. He promised to help us across whenever we arrived. Praise God, the Lord knows how to deploy His troops. We arrived at the Moulin Sur Mer resort weary and ready for a place to rest. The place was closed. The resident manager knew us and agreed to give us place to rest at a good rate. Thank God! 

Up early, Tuesday morning Sept. 16th. Meet at the swollen river and await our UN contact. He is delayed due to muliple accidents requiring his attention. At 11:00am he arrives. Quickly gets the river clear of sunken vehicles that had tried to cross on their own. He gave us the signal and we were across. We made a quick dash to Barbara’s village. Scooped up our bags and on the airport to catch the afternoon flight. Joe Prussel and I knew we would be headed back to Haiti within 24 hours. It was a great and successful mission. Now, we’re on the road, headed back to Haiti to continue that which we began. This time, we have serious team of technicians and experts who will help bring Barbara’s village into much better shape. More reports to come. God Bless and THANK YOU for your prayer and love. Will write later, as I am able.

Air Mobile Joe