May 8, 2010 – 8:26am – Saturday (East Coast Time) – Cocoa, FL – Report submitted by Joe Hurston – Air Mobile Joe

I woke early this morning. We are back in our home in Canaveral Groves, the one that is basically gutted. It is a 2-story house, and we sleep on the 2nd floor. Now, here is the “rub”. Now that I am somewhat “handicapped” with the broken ankle, every move must be calculated. And oh, do I have a deep appreciation for the humble crutch! The crutch is such a simple but effective device. In many ways, that is exactly what we are doing in helping the Haitians. I have heard the word “crutch” used in negative ways, but I can tell you, a “crutch” is a good thing when you have a busted leg. Now, a wheelchair is a good device, but hard to go down steps. Since our home does not have a working shower, we must shower in our motorhome. It would be tricky to navigate a wheelchair across the yard and over the roots to get to the motorhome. Now, those crutches do a superb job of getting me from the 2nd floor to the motorhome. In many ways, we are acting as “crutches” for our brothers and sisters in Haiti. There is a time to just help those that are broken and suffering. As I have said many times before, “STORMS ARE COMING”. Even in a mild season, Haiti gets fierce rain and thunderstorms. They usually cause massive flooding. Even now, In Haiti, over 1 million people are living outdoors in shreds and pieces of tarp and cardboard and anything else to give some measure of protection. Please forgive me for going on and on about this. A lot of people are talking, a lot of plans are being made, a lot of energy is being expended, but still, so much needs to be done. Having been in Haiti since the day after the earthquake and spending a lot of time there since, I can tell you, help and progress is moving along at a snail’s pace. There is so much indecision and so much talking, talking, talking and such little being done. It’s hard not to criticize. Yet, where does that leave us? We need to just do what we can as we can. Act as a crutch when you can to those who are broken. Oh, a final thought, Cindy has come up with a new name for me (for the time being) – AIR IMMOBILE JOE (remember, that is only temporary and with crutches, I still manage to get around!!). Well, that is my rambling for the day. By the way, the Lady in the Blue Dress (Barb Walker) is back in Haiti! Things are going well in Ruuska.

God Bless!

Air (paritally Immobile) Joe