July 9, 2010 -6:27am – Friday (Haiti Time) – Ruuska Village, Bon Repos, Haiti – Report submitted by Joe Hurston – Air Mobile Joe

It’s amazing what a reasonably good nights sleep can do. Of course sleeping in a tent on a sheet of plywood with a 1 7/8” thick mattress offers certain challenges. However, if you are tired enough, the aforementioned accommodations can be quite nice (of course, the fan helps a lot!!). After reflecting on yesterday, it is still hard to capture in words what we are seeing and experiencing. One thing stands out though, the courageous, tenacious spirit of these people. The Haitian people have been through so much, yet can still be kind, gracious and helpful. After living and working in this country for over 32 years, this still amazes me! 

The children always draw us back. You see, leaving America and the comfort and convenience to enter into a chaotic, dirty, dangerous situation is not easy. It’s just the images of the kids faces and smiles and durability that draws us back time and time again. As many who read this blog and know Ruuska Village, you know exactly what I am talking about. By the way, Barb (Rambo in the Blue Dress) has been in Argentina processing adoptions. We really look forward to having her back soon. Lisa has been doing an incredible job of running the Village. The teams that have been here have been simply wonderful. Last night, at the end of the very, very long day, we had the sweetest devotion. Now, on to today. We’ll be meeting with a major relief organization to discuss “food” for the Evacuation Plan. This is, as I have said before, particularly challenging because there is not enough food for the current and immediate needs, but….we must press on with this plan as we believe that many lives are at stake. So many dwellings are made of old discarded tin and the results of strong winds would be catastrophic! 

I know that I sound like a broken record asking you to pray over and over again, but it is so important. The coffee is brewed and it’s time to get our team going. Will try to give a little update this evening.

God Bless!!

Air Mobile Joe & Cindy & Juliet