Well, we're still here... we didn't get out today, blockades are still up in town, and there's still unrest - rock-throwing, tire-burning, etc. From our roof, we can see some of the street in front of our building, and it seems so normal from that vantage point. People are chatting, going about their business. It's definitely not the majority, but those who are promoting the demonstrations get angry when it appears that others are not standing in solidarity with them. In the marketplace today, rocks were thrown at vendors - presumably because they were working.
The recount was occurring today; a preliminary rumor is that all 3 candidates will be allowed to run for President in January (which apparently is against their constitution). If that is the case, then there's hope that the unrest will die down, at least until January.
The group is being as creative as possible with filling their time; young people do not "do nothing" well! Basketball, rope climbing, someone built a "Clue" table. As for the "old people", we read, fall asleep, read, fall asleep.....and walk... we walked around the Joint Logistics Base (JLB) several times. Did I tell you about the JLB? It's a large yard used by several NGO's (Habitat is one). I borrowed a guitar, and Raine, Khiya, our new friend Katie and I sang praise & worship songs... we needed that!
I really hope we can get out on Wednesday... just got word that American Airlines has cancelled Monday's flights.... why on earth they would cancel flights 3 days ahead of time, I'll never know. Anyway, we will take one day at a time.... cause it's all we can do! Not exactly what we signed up for, but still an adventure nontheless. All things work together for good...
Sure doesn't feel like Christmas.....
I am impatient for Tracey to finish her blog tonight... sorry Tracey, we spent some time in worship... much needed. when we were singing Amazing Grace, the terrible movie that was playing for some reason was stopped and only restarted after the song... God is so good.
ReplyDeleteThe situation remains volatile here. lock-down means we are confined to the base. base is about 2 acreas in total. inside we are partially covered with roof and partly open to the night/day sky. we are allowed to go out to the back yard during the day but just to walk no work allowed. Apparently today in the market place which is about a mile from us, rocks were being thrown at people working. the seller packed up their stuff and left but apparently there is damage.
early this am Marc (our head man here) went for a drive to see how things were. he got about 2km from us to find several road blocks. as they were turning around, they saw 30-40 people coming towards them throwing rocks. one rock narrowly missed marc's head. this brings everything a little closer to our hearts as we realize that what is happening isn't just happening to 'other'people rather to us as well. there were no complaints about lockdown this morning.
We are so fortunate to have a little 'go to' boy named benji. benji I think has a little crush on khiya because everytime he sees me he asks about her. anyway benji comes to the gate several times a day and we give him money to go run get us cookies, pop or smokes (no i didn't start smoking but others here do). I give him a tip when he runs for us and i assume everyone else does as well. it is a great little business he has running.
Our lockdown has been set until sunday or monday now which is nice to have an end in sight although we do know that end is very tentative. with the extended time of lockdown, we have now been put on rations of food, electricity, water and computer time. we were able to replenish some supplies today but it is only a matter of time before we won't be able to get the supplies we need.
discussion around mass evacuation occurred today and a plan is in place if needed. unfortunately the only way out of leogane is by land and all highways in and out of leogane are blocked. we are safer staying here than trying to get out. the canadian embassy knows we are here however they have already evacuated... i wonder how much they can help if they aren't even here:)
I just heard via the grape vine that flights in and out of haiti have now been cancelled for monday. we are scheduled to fly out on wednesday but as the time comes closer, my optimism is falling. I generally tend to be a more positive person but this time is straining me. i wonder if i did the right thing but coming and putting not only me at risk but khiya. I apologize to my family for the worry they are having on our behalf. If it helps at all, God did not get us here amidst missed flights, lost passports, medical supplies opened in front of security guards to leave us here without making an impact. when we thought we would be here as witnesses to the haitian people, perhaps God planned for us to witness to the 75 people stuck with us in camp. Truely only God knows and my plan is simply to trust his plan.
I am impatient for Tracey to finish her blog tonight... sorry Tracey, we spent some time in worship... much needed. when we were singing Amazing Grace, the terrible movie that was playing for some reason was stopped and only restarted after the song... God is so good.
ReplyDeleteThe situation remains volatile here. lock-down means we are confined to the base. base is about 2 acreas in total. inside we are partially covered with roof and partly open to the night/day sky. we are allowed to go out to the back yard during the day but just to walk no work allowed. Apparently today in the market place which is about a mile from us, rocks were being thrown at people working. the seller packed up their stuff and left but apparently there is damage.
early this am Marc (our head man here) went for a drive to see how things were. he got about 2km from us to find several road blocks. as they were turning around, they saw 30-40 people coming towards them throwing rocks. one rock narrowly missed marc's head. this brings everything a little closer to our hearts as we realize that what is happening isn't just happening to 'other'people rather to us as well. there were no complaints about lockdown this morning.
We are so fortunate to have a little 'go to' boy named benji. benji I think has a little crush on khiya because everytime he sees me he asks about her. anyway benji comes to the gate several times a day and we give him money to go run get us cookies, pop or smokes (no i didn't start smoking but others here do). I give him a tip when he runs for us and i assume everyone else does as well. it is a great little business he has running.
Our lockdown has been set until sunday or monday now which is nice to have an end in sight although we do know that end is very tentative. with the extended time of lockdown, we have now been put on rations of food, electricity, water and computer time. we were able to replenish some supplies today but it is only a matter of time before we won't be able to get the supplies we need.
discussion around mass evacuation occurred today and a plan is in place if needed. unfortunately the only way out of leogane is by land and all highways in and out of leogane are blocked. we are safer staying here than trying to get out. the canadian embassy knows we are here however they have already evacuated... i wonder how much they can help if they aren't even here:)
I just heard via the grape vine that flights in and out of haiti have now been cancelled for monday. we are scheduled to fly out on wednesday but as the time comes closer, my optimism is falling. I generally tend to be a more positive person but this time is straining me. i wonder if i did the right thing but coming and putting not only me at risk but khiya. I apologize to my family for the worry they are having on our behalf. If it helps at all, God did not get us here amidst missed flights, lost passports, medical supplies opened in front of security guards to leave us here without making an impact. when we thought we would be here as witnesses to the haitian people, perhaps God planned for us to witness to the 75 people stuck with us in camp. Truely only God knows and my plan is simply to trust his plan.