Caleb's update March 20 2010

Folks -

There is an answer to prayer in Caleb's update below. We have been praying that God keep the people calm and that He show us how to graciously deliver food under difficult circumstances.

Chris


We had a distribution for the Saline itself yesterday evening. Most of you have probably heard of the place by now, it's the tidal flat in Anse Galets where the poorest live because they don't have to pay land tax. Only the poorest live there because it floods several times a month. It's our backyard but I haven't actually been there when food has gone our. It was an amazing distribution.

It spite of the fact that the poorest of Anse Galets live there and that they have been our most vocal citizens at wharf unloading, it was perfectly peaceful and happy. The people receiving food waited patiently in a single file line for Pastor Keno to call their name and hand them their portion. All those present but not receiving food were not just calm but even agreeable. They said things like "God bless you" to Pastor Keno and I, even though they didn't get anything themselves. I wish I could send pictures but alas, we're on bandwidth rationing again.

I suspect I know a couple of the reasons why the distribution went so well. Of course, God's grace is the power behind all kingdom work. After that, though, Pastor Keno found a good local leader. This man made a list of the poorest people that was apparently fair and true enough that even other poor people had to agree. The last reason is not politically correct but its worth remembering. They did not give any food to males between 15 and 50. I've heard of the UN doing the same thing, even in spite of their PC mandate. I have to tell you that 99% of the anger, hustling, aggressive begging or other nonsense comes from that group. It's no surprise but putting this rule into action really made a difference.

The day before, March 19th, Chris, JD, and I did our first purchase of local food. WISH’s board wanted to put $5000 toward our relief feeding effort and with that we bought 8000lbs of food, exactly the amount we can haul in the Breezy Sea. (That's the lobster boat, AKA, JD's new toy. ) Everything went fine, maybe the smoothest day we’ve had yet moving food. There was hardly an extra person at the wharfs and no trouble at all making the transaction; I’m not surprised. This food now sits in Pastor Keno’s warehouse and is being distributed as I write. It won’t feed everyone but its certainly still a worthwhile gift, just ask anyone who’ll receive some – that could be 1000 families receiving 8 lbs of dry food. That IS something, its what we’d want if we were in their shoes, and it only cost $5000 to do. It doesn't take a that much money to really answer some prayers for people.

These last two days, buying food and getting it our have been the smoothest so far in doing our job down here. I in no way mean to boast here, it's the Lord that has taught us, but I think He is blessing our efforts and we have learned a lot.

HS,
Caleb