Supplies arrive

This morning we shared a cup of rich coffee in the brisk mountain air with Veniel's daughter who was dressed in a sweater and matching stocking cap. She informed us tomorrow is her birthday (not so) and she recounted the trembling of her home and the crash with wide I've-got-a-great-story eyes. She asked if our house came down on our heads. She was really hoping to be able to go back to school to practice her French. We laughed as she and her father bantered back and forth. These normal moments bind out hearts more tightly to all that goes on here.

As homeless vagabonds on the move, we packed up our few things and left the hotel in Kenskoff today due to cash running low, gas running low and the needed to be closer to CONASPEH, the embassy, the airport, and places where we can be of service. We are so grateful for the rest we found high in these peaks, the hospitality that took us in and made us feel grounded, safe.

A kind man from the hotel helped us find a wear-house for food, so Patrick was able to buy a few bags of rice, beans and cooking oil to share with orphanages or people who may need it. The wear-house was rationing, so we bought what we could. Patrick and I would be able to do NOTHING without the help of our Haitian friends. They have been amazing, tireless, kind, and ever composed as we go about doing our best to take care of each other.

Our first stop was the Livesay's home to unload our car. They have been enormously generous enough to let us stay with them for a few nights while we figure out where to go next. They are a virtual refugee center with many volunteers and displaced persons staying within the safety of their walls. We are so grateful for their welcoming in these crazy days. They have two small children, and Solomon spent the day with them watched over by their nanny who Solomon came to love in the first 10 minutes we were there. To know that our child is happy and safe is the biggest gift my heart can receive right now.

Yesterday Patrick had received word that CCAI--the US adoption agency partnered with Solomon's orphanage--was sending a private plane today packed with food and medical supplies for the children of the orphanage. They needed help coordinating and retrieving the supplies from the airport. With the help of the ever-amazing Veniel, we were able to barrow one of his tap-tap style transportation trucks and drive in caravan with Frankis from the orphanage to the airport. We had no idea what to expect. With the media reports we'd been reading, the airport sounded like a shut-down military zone where no supplies could get in or out. After asking a few men in cammoflage in our perfect American English where we needed to go to receive supplies, we eventually got the right entry of the airport. How strange that our English helped us get information in a Creole and French speaking country. Upon entring, we asked a US soldier what was the procedure. "Its the Wild West out here, if you know what plane you are looking for, drive out and find it." Wide-eyed disbelief.
*plane arrived
Stunned, we followed his orders, gates were opened to us without credentials shown or bodies scanned, and we proceeded out on the tarmak where supply planes were parked. We checked with some more military officials, certain that we weren't supposed to be out racing airplanes. They were able to point out what kind of airplane we were looking for, and as they were showing us an example of the make and model, our plane landed. We were pulling up beside its wing before the engines were completely shut down.
*Supply Run

Out came the two pilots and two representatives from CCAI. First we organized a line and completely unloaded the contents of the plane into the two trucks: charcoal, rice, beans, clean water, medicines, formula, milk, etc...The pilots were even unloading things that belonged in the plane--blankets, snacks. "We want to do more," they said. One pilot asked Patrick if we wanted to go back with them. Patrick then asked if they'd accept a third undocumented passanger. They then understood and gave us tearful hugs goodbye.

It was hard being so close to that plane, a plane with roaring air-conditioning standing in stark juxtaposition to the hot winds that whipped around us on the tarmak, a plane that was going back to Colorado in a matter of hours. I blinked back my own tears and returned to the business at hand. We caravanned back through the city without a single problem. No looting gangs diving on our car or truck for supplies, no violence, no madness. To date, we just aren't seeing all the violence that CNN is reporting. Without incident we made it to the orphanage, and were received with great cries of thanks. Quickly a team gathered to help us unload the supplies into the building, ensuring the children would eat and drink, get basic needs met for a little while longer.
*Fox News Reporting

At the orphanage, Fox News was still there, as was a team from NBC. The Fox team was impressive, speaking without pulling punches into the microphone. I don't blame them. Its hard to be around 130 brown-eyed children with dirty knees, runny noses, all clamoring for attention and not somehow be driven to do something on behalf of their welfare. The orphanage is waiting for visas for all the children who have matched parents in the states. CCAI has a plane ready to go for retrieval, but are waiting for all paperwork to be in order and ok's from the US and Haitian government for the go. Solomon is on that same list. So we wait with them.
*Valancia

*Salvation Army Medics

A few medical personnel were there from the Salvation Army with some basic medications. Together we saw a few kids. Luckily in this orphanage these kids are holding strong. Nothing more than a few cases of mild diarrhea, runny noses and a few mild skin infections. A few of the kids with malnutrition presented that way to the orphanage, and they are holding their own with the love and care the staff provide.
*cup on the guest house rubble
We passed by the guest house to thank Veniel for his truck. The bodies had all been removed by the work of 10 strong and relentless Haitian men with nothing more than hammers and pics to break through thick concrete and yards of iron rebar.
*Veniel's new office

Veniel had set up a makeshift office in the parking lot, busily answering e-mails with the use of our solar-powered battery bought for us two years ago by friends in Denver. I never guessed how crucial such a piece of equipment would be--keeping us connected during times of crisis. Veniel has plans to fix the wall of the guest house, get security backing from the Haitian police and the UN and then get business back up and running for volunteer teems anxious to get to the city and help. It won't be luxury living. Likely tents and food as it is available, but he knows the relentlessness of the people anxious to serve, and hopes to create a safe place within his walls.

As the sun was going down, we headed toward Bon Repos to check in with the Villier's. Traffic was slow as a bridge had been deemed too dangerous to drive around. Traffic had to weave through a market, down a bank and traverse a river to reach the other side. We were able to find the Villier's simply by walking through their back yard. All family was there, making an outside camp in their yard. Francois met us with hugs, inviting us into her "kitchen." We shared news of people we'd heard from, things we'd seen. Two of her sons-not having word of their safety--had made their way to Haiti via the Dominican to find their parents. I could see in Francois's eyes she was glad for their solidarity.

Patrick arrived later and we all shared news. Although bearing a fatigue I've never seen in their eyes before, they both are holding up and have plans for meetings to figure out how best CONASPEH can respond. "CONASPEH is an idea, it is the people. CONASPEH didn't fall with our building, it didn't die with the people inside. We will rebuild. We will go on. Because that is what makes us human. We must keep working." They are scheduling a meeting with the board of CONASPEH tomorrow, to discuss plans. Patrick and I plan to be there.

Tonight we lie in the safety of the Livesay home. Airtraffic is heavy overhead and has lasted deep into the night. We pray the planes above are bring more supplies and aid in and shuttling out some of the hundreds of people waiting in long lines to leave the country.
*face

Goodnight.