Getting the help there

You have all heard of the damage from the recent storms here in Haiti and its devastating effects in certain areas.  One of the biggest problems has been getting the help where it is needed.

In our local area the bridge at the river crossing in Monwi (20 minutes north) on the main highway has been out for two weeks.  On Saturday a new bridge opened allowing the trucks, buses and cars to finally make their way north again.

Of course, as with many things in Haiti, there were workarounds.  For a couple weeks the buses lined up at the broken down bridge.  People came to the bridge, walked over and caught a bus on the other side.  When Heather and the kids were at church in Monwi 2 weeks ago, the line up of buses on our side was about a mile long.  Amazing!

As you pray for the people of Haiti, support us in our efforts to bring the hope of the gospel.  Haiti's problems do not have easy solutions.  But through your prayers God will be at work.  And there is lots of help coming in.

Even the picture of the detour sign shows this.  You will notice the word desviation is not French or English.  It is misspelled Spanish and is a sign brought in by the Dominican company Estrella Engeneria who are doing the bridge work.  Following is some information to put in perspective the great need here in Haiti.

This map from the UNJLC (from Reliefweb's site) shows the condition of various roads in our area of Haiti.  Road travel is difficult if it is possible and it means not all the help and aid can get to the people who need it.  Food sits and rots.  People are left on their own.  The problem is huge and unfortunately getting worse.  The World Food Program says that the misery index is rising (see full article here) and the city of Gonaives is in particularly dire straits.

But despite all of man's effort we can still have hope.  God sees the plight of his people, and does not delight in the death of even the wicked.  I was encouraged by parts of the speech Haiti president Rene Preval gave at the United Nations on Friday.  He said that what Haiti needs is investment in long term solutions.  The band aid will come and go.  We are here for the long run because we believe that only when the Holy Spirit changes men's hearts can there be lasting change.  Only the preaching of the gospel of Jesus Christ can bring that.  And in the meantime we help where we can.