Here is another update letter I have received from Reg Bronson the treasurer of the Good News International Foundation that was working towards completeing an irrigation project for the people in Fond Pairisen. We call it the Lasstic Canyon project. They arrived Sunday and found themselves involved with Earthquake relief Tuesday on. This is the news as of Friday night.
Dear GNIF Friends:
Another update on Haiti, I spent awhile on the phone with Kevin this evening, wow what an experience! Basically our group (GNIF & CSI) worked through two nights giving medical care, helping dig people out of the rubble and generally giving relief. The last update I gave I reported that for safety they had decided to evacuate to Fond Parisien. They made the trip okay, sticking to back road to avoid the crowd, arrived safely and moved into the house in Fond Parisien that we had rented, they ‘crashed’ after having about 6 hours of sleep in three days! They moved some furniture, fixtures and food from the CSI house as well as what they had already acquired for the Lastic Canyon project. Today, Friday they spend doing some updates on the house to make it more livable according to North American standards. While the CSI personel went back to the CSI house to get a few more supplies. They feeling quite secure in Fond Parisien, are happy to be there and seem to be able to relax quite comfortably! (with 15 people in a three bedroom house!)
Words can’t describe what they have seem, the death, destruction, chaos and violence! Seeing people fight over a box of food! People wandering around in a daze not knowing where their family members are!
Our native members have sustained quite a bit of property damage, one family has lost a young child, one a teen aged daughter and one wife and mother has been badly injured, probably paralyzed!
Saturday they plan to join a group of convoys and transport people into the Dominican Republic for medical aid!
It was late when I was talking to Kevin and he sounded very tired, emotionally strained and weary. He said he knows tomorrow will be a tough day both emotionally and physically, but they are joining the effort because this is the urgent need at hand.
Now some GNIF information. The ship with our containers and drill on it sailed from Miami today and is scheduled to arrive at the St Marc port by Tuesday. It will still there a few days and then go on to Miragoane where are goods are to be unloaded. It has been loaded for about a week and our stuff was loaded in the first batch, because it is scheduled to go to the second port. I asked if we could have our items unloaded before it left and he said ‘no way, it’s backed in there pretty tight’. So, we’re committed! What can we say! However it’s not all bad, the food and clothing items which the Walnut Hill congregation stuffed in the corners will be greatly appreciated. We’re not sure yet how we will handle the equipment once it arrives.
Kevin has a new cell phone called a’ world phone’ which is made to adapt to different countries networks, it has been the only phone they have been able to communicate with North America.
We’re not sure where God is leading with this whole thing, please keep praying for us and for our project. We wonder where we fit in in this whole picture, we are currently doing relief work which was not our plan but where from here? Do we join forces with CSI/CDR as they mobilize? Do we drop out and come home? What about the costs? Do we pay for some and they some? I mentioned using Kevin’s phone, the calls are very expensive, our call this evening will probably cost ±$100, CSI has offered to help with some of the costs because they have used it quite extensively, which we much appreciate.
As we (being GNIF) see it, it seems we should stay a little while and join with CSI/CDR. Are we on track?
A note to our volunteers, there quite likely will be an opening for your help with the relief efforts if you are interested. We feel strongly that the Lastic Canyon project will happen at some time and would like to have your availability for that project. However if there is a need immediately and you are interested in going to help in this cause as well, just stay tuned, we will keep you posted as things develop.
We are a private organization and not an official church entity so we will look to you as individuals to help us with the costs, as well as some direction on how to proceed. We really appreciate your interest, many of you have sent emails or called. As we have said in prior emails, we still have financial commitments for the Lastic Project which we need to meet and now the focus seems to be switching to relief efforts. GNIF’s official standing is to ‘provide humanitarian services worldwide’. Humanitarian by definition is ‘pertaining to the saving of human lives or to the alleviation of suffering: (such as) a humanitarian crisis. I think we are still within the bounds of this directive and where do we go from here?
Thanks for your continued interest
Reginald Bronson, EA
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