Yesterday was an unusually “cold” rainy day in Haiti.  The rain just kept falling.  Reports from “the street” were that several groups wanted to light fires, but the rain kept putting them out…a mercy from the Lord.  Instead, they just threw rocks, but not with much force.  Yesterday was relatively calm in this ravaged country.  The potential for war to break out at any moment is great.  The candidates are not pleased at all with the Provisional Haiti Election Council and the recent rulings.  We pray! 

I headed to the airport on the little motorcycle and fueled “Ti Burik”.  Always a good idea to have the little plane ready to go on a moments notice.  Was able to assist our good friends, Nathan and Amy (Adventist Hospital) to get a few Doctors out on the local small airline.  Also had some deep quality time in prayer with Mark, the Director of Mission Aviation Fellowship.  Excellent fellowship and insight.

While we were in discussion, the weather closed in on several of the remote strips that MAF flies to.  One of the pilots’, who was already airborne had to return.  A wise decision by any pilot.  It was very good observing the MAF team in action.  Extremely professional and safe.  MAF is such a quality organization.  It’s been a joy working together with them for the last 25 years.  

I shared with Mark my concern about the “depression” taking over Caanan II.  We prayed regarding the situation.  I explained that Pastor Volny has not been in the tent city the last few times I have checked on them.  The report that came to me was that he was ill.  After prayer, headed to his church that is actually in a land-fill / dump area.  Met with several of the leaders of the church and left a message for him to call me.  Also, once I have found him, we could go together and visit with Daniel who is in the hospital that is in a very “hot” part of town (where politics often turns violent).

Left a message requesting the Pastor contact me ASAP.  From there, back to our base camp.  Barbara had an excellent idea.  Bring blankets and food to Caanan II.  Haitians don’t like cold rain because it is so unusual.  We gathered up a truck load of blankets and food and headed to Caanan II.  We brought  some of the team members who have been doing wonders with welding in the village.

We were met with smiles and anticipation.  Immediately, the ladies lined up ready to receive their “domi douce”, the creole word for blanket.  It literally means “sweet sleep”.  The blankets were beautiful and soft and warm.  Many had come to us from Samaritan’s Purse.  Today was THE DAY to pass out these blankets.  It was miserable cold and rainy.

Then we passed out the food.   By the way, this food came from my very dear friends Bobby and Sherry Burnett of Love a Child – THANK YOU, BOBBY & SHERRY!!  The food distribution quickly got “crazy” because of the rain and fear that some would not get any.  I simply sat on the tailgate and stopped all the food from being “distributed”, it was getting wild.  Just stopped everything and began to pray.  Then I asked the prospective recipients to join me.  It took a while, but soon I would say a phrase of prayer and the recipients would join me.  Things calmed down.  

Now, we were down to 3 boxes of food.  I asked the crowd how I should finish this up. The unanimously named one of the 3 leaders in the community to receive the food and distribute it.  That was a great answer.  It also let me know that the leadership in this community was still somewhat intact.  The end of the distribution went peacefully.  Thank the Lord.  

As the sun set, we headed back to our base.  It was a long day, but good day even though it was rainy, dreary and “relatively” cold.  We were able to help just a few in one tent city among thousands with a little comfort and love.

Today, we will face more challenges and seek His direction for the day.  God Bless and THANKS as always for your prayer, love and support!

Air Mobile Joe