Update from Veronica

The ship finally departed Florida with the 4 containers! (2 from YWAM Montana and 2 from a mix of Calvary Spokane and NY Wesleyan District funding.) The Monarch Empress left on saturday afternoon and is scheduled to arrive at the port in St. Marc tomorrow (tues.) afternoon. It was beginning to feel like the ship would never leave. However, I know our vision is limited and God may be doing something very necessary through this delay.

YWAM Montana had sent 2 guys down, Chris and JD, who you heard from a few times while they were in Haiti. They have since returned to Montana and will be sharing with our base all that they saw and learned. One of their main purposes in going to La Gonave was to scout out possible long term opportunities our YWAM Montana base could partner with. So, Chris, JD & myself will be discussing these options with the base leadership to see if we can move forward with more development oriented work.

We sent down another staff guy from our base, Johan, this past wednesday. He will be working with Caleb on La Gonave for 3 weeks, returning on April 21st. He is helping Caleb prepare a system to receive the 4 containers worth of food (185,000 lbs). This is a large task since we haven't received such a large amount all at once before. And, God willing, the containers will make it through customs quickly so that Johan will be able to help transport the food. Since Johan is there for 3 full weeks, he has a little more time to build relationships and test avenues for long term development.

I spoke with Caleb and Johan on the phone this morning and it sounds like they are both doing well, considering the circumstances. The internet is down at the Wesleyan Mission and it doesn't sound promising that it will be working again anytime soon. So, I may be reporting for them in the mean time. Sadly, no internet also means no current pictures. I will post some soon from Chris & JD's trip, though.

Caleb & Johan said they were taking a trip soon to visit the most remote communities on La Gonave on the opposite end of the island. Caleb hasn't been to this area yet and wants to scout the need, hoping to bring some food there from the 4 containers. He was saying that the need for food across the island hasn't changed (it's still desperate).

We need some serious prayer for the containers to make it through customs without any tariffs being put on each container (this could be thousands of dollars per container). I do not believe customs tariffs have been imposed officially, but there are threats of starting tariffs again soon. And, please pray that the containers make it through customs in record time so that Caleb will have Johan's help and so we can get food to those who need it faster. According to YWAM St. Marc (who has been processing our containers), recent shipments have been taking 2 to 3 weeks to get through customs. But, I know God can change this.

Thank you so much for all of your prayers; they are so needed.

For His Glory,
Veronica