Haiti Update 3/2/10

From Joe Knittig live in Haiti:

A signature moment here at the OTV came late last night, when the Fox crew arrived. Renise had her hair all done up, and a cute sundress on – waiting for Momma Fox. When we pulled in, Renise knew what was happening. Giddy, she started jumping up and down. She stumbled in her flip-flops and fell on her bum, laughing hysterically the entire time. What a blessed re-union. Things are well here, and this allows us to focus hard on Cayes now and in the coming weeks.

Cayes is a mess. Louis and Dony and the entire ESMI crew are, as you’d imagine, leading with courage. It’s a true privilege to serve them.

Here is the good news… All of our children are safe.

Here is the bad news… This is a highly unusual flood, as it’s neither rainy season nor hurricane season. We have more than 400 displaced children from 3 villages: Cavaillon, Cherette, and Casa Major.

The Cavaillon children have been re-located to the clinic in Cayes. Pastor Nerva took the Cherette children to higher ground, where they have “settled” for now. Pastor Cloitaire has done the same with the Casa Major children. There will be large scale losses of food, clothing, and stuff. Stuff can be replaced. Kids cannot. So we’re thankful.

We have formed and launched (immediately upon the news of the flash flooding) a GO Project / ESMI relief effort. Obviously, priority one is getting the displaced children food, water, clothing, and shelter where they are – and resettling them elsewhere if and as necessary. That process is underway. Long Hollow, your container couldn’t be more perfect in its timing and content. About 3/4 of that container – shelter, clothing, emergency food rations – will immediately go to Cayes on Thursday or Friday (depending on when it hits here at the OTV).

We will keep you posted with more detail on Cayes as we receive it.

We continue to seek your prayers for our kids, for Louis, for Dony, for ESMI, for Cayes, and for all of Haiti.

Thanks for going deep with us!

Faithfully yours,

Joe