Wesleyan La Gonave resupply update 1/28/10

Folks, really good news to report. Andy, Caleb, and Skip landed in Orlando successfully, took a day or so to meet with Pastor Mark James and make plans to coordinate various deliveries. The logistics of this operation are surprisingly complicated.

You'll notice the pictures on the website (link below) show lots of people sitting in a restaurant. I suggested to the guys that it looks un-missionary like to be sitting around in clean clothes in comfortable surroundings. I thought we might like to see pictures of bags of rice and sweaty laborers, so they obliged and you will see them on the website as soon as Mike posts them, probably later tonight.

Our team worked out of Ft. Lauderdale as they worked with the shipper and the wholesale grocer. The process went smoothly enough, but there are many challenges. Thankfully we have cell phones and contact lists.

Mark James had his church volunteers very organized, and they raised a princely sum of money and brought medical and other items straight to the loading facility at the appointed time. Andy the loadmaster had calculated precisely the amount of cubic foot storage and weight allowed in the first 20' conex. I hear from the field that they wish they had a little extra, but everything got stuffed in with a shoehorn.

I have not been able to get a precise medical supply list yet, but it includes many high grade antibiotics, saline drip bags, needles, betadine, antibiotic ointments, bandages and wound cleaning supplies. Also there are exam gloves, gowns, masks, and anything else our medical friends could think of for a field hospital use. For your information, these items are in large quantities, often in case lots quantity.

Other folks donated as they felt led. I believe over $800 just in shelter-sized tarps and rope, also tents, personal hygiene products, pails, sheets, and whatever is useful.

So: we have 1 conex packed with 44,000 pounds of food and supplies, and one to go of the same weight. The next will be packed tomorrow, minus Pastor Mark's church involvement. There is a significant matter for prayer on this. We have -- with many challenges -- succeeded in ordering a second med bundle (say $4500 or so) to go in conex #2. We have Randy Beck, a Christian brother and pharmacist in Winter Haven who has been a blessing in helping this mission. Unfortunately there may be a misunderstanding in pricing with his employers -- wholesale vs. retail -- that would make impossible purchasing more meds. Would you please pray that the owners would have a heart for the poor people of Haiti and release the medications at reduced cost rather than retail price?

Please pray for the availability of medication and that our guys are able to get the conex packed before the warehouse closes tomorrow. Everyone would like to know when the ship leaves for St. Marc. Here is the answer, we do not know but it looks like Sunday. It has gone from Thursday to Tuesday like a compass needle swinging, but in fairness to Monarch (shipper) it seems to be Coast Guard or inspection issues.

We have heard from the base daily, the situation remains unchanged and becomes worse daily. The marines were there recently and caused some excitement, but it appears that it was a scout element rather than relief. It did make possible the air evacuation of critically injured people for shipboard surgery, and that is gratifying. My brother Peter has been working to get the plight of La Gonave to military and UN sources. We have seen mission maps, and unfortunately at this time I have to say we are NOT on mission maps. Please pray that it changes, it would really help to have some assistance.

Pete Thompson's church contributed -- and they are neither large nor wealthy -- $25,000 in funding for conex #2. This how our DS James did it... is it a good idea, will it work? Ok, do it and we will find the money. God bless them. That's the way to witness to the world and get the job done, folks. 3 John 1:5 comes to mind.

Before I close, let me say that I'm hearing of a huge outpouring of donations to District because of all our effort. Pete says he notices that in WA state also. People we don't even know are giving, I am told. So thank God for people who love their neighbor and want to help. Please send any emails -- or better yet the link to the website -- to anyone who may wish to turn their donation into 100% necessities to Haiti in a 100% accountable manner. No overhead, zip.