Haiti Rescue Update (1/25/2010 2:01 pm CST)

Via Trace Thurlby, Live from Haiti;

It’s a good day in Haiti, we made a new friend, Johnny. Johnny is ten. Since the earthquake, he’s spent his days at Love a Child hospital. The physician told us that Johnny might have some developmental delays. At first glance, one might think that. However, when we spoke with Johnny, we found a quick smile and a really fun guy. The world often looks on the outside. ”Johnnys” can get left behind in Haiti and in America. Johnny tells us that he does have a Mom. She hasn’t been back in eight days. We are going to work hard to reunite them. We are posting Johnny’s info to various web sites. We stay in close contact with the hospital. While we are doing all of that, Johnny will be part of our family. Safe. Fed. Cared for…he’s our friend; our little brother for now.
The medical and Longhollow team arrived today. Now that they’ve had their first decent meal in awhile, they are on to their next chapter. The medical team is going to Les Cayes tonight. Hundreds of thousands have fled Port Au Prince, and now live in surrounding areas. Two weeks ago, Cayes had around 300,000 people. Today the estimate is 450,000. It’s busting at the seams. While our focus remains caring for the orphan, Pastor St. Germaine told us that 100 doctors working for a month wouldn’t be able to address the overall medical need in Cayes. These KC docs came to minister to those needing medical care as a result of the earthquake. That’s what they’ll be doing…the only change is the people needing their skills fled. So, their next few days will be like a “Haitian house call.” They brought in their own medical supplies, and they are taking them to Cayes as well. Excellent! The need for food is still dire, which requires we use the storage/warehouse capacity we have for life necessities. After this initial food crisis is behind us (unfortunately probably months away; maybe more), we will be in a better position to receive, store, distribute clothing and supplies. That’s not the primary need right now.
Several members from the Longhollow team went with Beth Fox to pick up two more children. We met “Small Joe” (as opposed to our Joe Knittig) last week at the General Hospital by the Presidential Palace. He’s three and lost whatever parents he had in the quake. We are so excited to have him in our family. At the HHS Hospital, the 82nd Airborne called and confirmed a little guy named Popeye (not sure how it’s spelled yet, so I just went with the tried and true for now) is an orphan that needs to be discharged. How can you say no to Popeye? We’re going to get him as well. Beth’s team took a Tap-Tap ( kind of a cross between an El Camino and a tied-dyed T-shirt). Knowing Beth, she may come back with a few more . Kids abandoned at a hospital. Kids adopted into the GO Project family….because of you! We love you! Press on!