The trio has returned to the US

The lack of updates indicates that all members of this group of three are back in the U.S. After a long wait in PAP on the tarmac (a mere 14 hours) all day Thursday, followed by some travel troubles stateside on Friday, John finally made it home late in the day/evening on Friday.

Steve somehow managed to hitch a ride via chopper to the DR on Friday, and took a 4:00 am flight from Santa Domingo into Boston early Saturday morning. He was up bright and early on Friday morning (2:00 am) to greet the World Vision truck that arrived early for the second food distribution, which was to take place on Friday. He then left Port-au-Prince and headed for the DR.

It's nice to know that the trio is back in the U.S. however, there is still a great deal to be done in Haiti and my thoughts and prayers continue to be with those that are there, living in tents, searching for their next meal and struggling to determine next steps...

World Vision Arrived!

Just in: The World Vision truck arrived around 9:00 am this morning!!!

They were able to distribute food to 1,700 people today and plan to do the same on both Friday and Saturday. Each person received a 50lb bag of rice!

Thursday Morning Update - Day 10

Yesterday Steve spent part of the day walking the area with some of the local young men and they told him stories of what has happened to various people. He saw one building that had collapsed on a young child. He could see the body was still there, half under the rubble. As you can imagine, he was deeply affected by this walk.

Steve was also able to purchase food yesterday for the people who are living at the "tent city" at Rigaud's mother's compound. Today they will prepare some of this food for them in one large meal. The area by the orphanage is also receiving food regularly, sharing what was purchased for the orphanage.

John is planning to come home today... but the details aren't finalized.

Grandma's Tent City

For those of you that have traveled to Haiti - you have probably met Pastor Rigaud's mother... Grandma is nothing short of inspiring, she's a matriarch, an incredible prayer warrior and all around powerful presence in the church and neighborhood.

Her role following the earthquake has been nothing short of what you would expect from such a woman. Grandma and Pastor Rigaud's sister live in the area to the left of the church and following the earthquake have created a tent city in the enclosed space in front of their homes. The area is approximately the size of two basketball courts and each night approximately 1,000 people sleep there. They have opened their area to those in need as a safe place to sleep and store what items they have left.

One of Steve's current projects is searching for an additional source of food for the people living there.

Photos 2 - Tents set up outside the orphanage (view from the roof). The boys playing a game. Pastor Rigaud and the kids.

Photos - The school with limited damage! John working the water filtration system. Meeting with World Vision.

Tuesday Update - One full week in Haiti

Lots has happened recently - many apologies for the lack of updates. Judy came home to the US on Sunday night late in the evening via a military flight into Orlando. She spent the night in the Orlando airport and arrived in Boston Monday morning. It was a whirlwind trip - expect photos soon.

Steve has been in touch with both his wife Heidi and Judy, and while lots has happened, the details change quickly. Pastor Rigaud is still working hard at the adoption process. He's been meeting with the Judge frequently and rushing all over town between consulates, embassies, etc...

They did a large water distribution at the church yesterday, this was sort of a trial for the big food distribution that World Vision is going to do later this week. They will be using the church and school as a staging area for this. The meeting with World Vision went well and they have been collecting names from the neighborhood so that families can then receive this food distribution. They expect to feed 5,000 families with a box of food that should last them a month.

On Sunday, they had church at 6:30 AM. There was just one service and there were about 1,000 people in attendance - compared to the usual 3,000 people. Steve preached and as usual enjoyed it. He wanted to continue the message of hope.