January 15, 2010 – Friday 11:38pm (Haiti Time) – Bon Repos (Ruuska Village), Haiti -Report submitted by Air Mobile Joe

Today our team was up and out of the village early. Our mission: appeal to the U.S. Consulate to allow several injured Haitian children to travel to the U.S. for treatment. We arrived through moderate traffic (lack of fuel is reducing traffic a bit, but the debris and chaos still make it difficult to move around). There was a huge crowd at the U.S. Embassy seeking help. Barbara is well known and the fact that we had an aircraft able to transport the children out helped. The U.S. staff was FANTASTIC! While awaiting documentation processing, several nurses who are helping Barb’s Village, Sue and Mandy, helped U.S. Military treat injured Haitians. I was able to act as Chaplain and pray for many. At the end of several hours, the promise of numerous visas for these children brightened our day. Here is the link to an article written by John Torres, Florida Today (it just posted moments ago)

 www.floridatoday.com/article/20100115/BREAKINGNEWS/100115052/saving-children-becomes-serious-issue

 Next, it was off to survey the damage. Barbara led the way to locations that contained critical documents for children seeking help. We were disheartened by the utter and complete destruction of the entire nerve center of the Haitian Government. The Palace collapsed, along with the Department of Justice, The Ministry of Foreign Affairs, The Post Office, Ministry of Interior. Building after building, nothing but rubble. In a matter of moments, the Government of Haiti was destroyed. Words escape me as the full depth of this tragedy is beginning to sink in. Then there were the bodies. I considered posting a few shots (and still may), but for now, I will spare you. The thing that is with me as I write, is the smell. May the Lord take it away. The News coverage cannot transmit that. What do you do when there is utter destruction and chaos? Everywhere we went, we were able to share the love of the Lord and encourage holding on to the Lord. We were amazed again and again by simple and sincere responses of trust and love for Jesus. Tomorrow, some of our team will fly back to the U.S. Hopefully, at least 2 children needing medical care will be on board the aircraft. I have opted to stay. I must admit, this is a very difficult decision. Yet, it is one that I truly believe is directed by our Lord. Well, it’s been a long day. Tomorrow, we’ll hopefully get the Visas, get the aircraft off and then focus on getting the water purification systems out beyond our village.

God Bless!!

Air Mobile Joe