Going to Haiti

An opportunity has presented itself to go to Haiti for a few weeks to work with Emmanuel International.  I am going alongside of my friend Chris Lewis who has been working closely with them over the last few years.  We’ll be working with different food distribution centers making sure everything is relegated properly and the food is getting into the right hands.  It’s important that food distribution gets done properly because it is a very fragile system that can very quickly be taken advantage of by the wrong people especially during chaotic times like these.  A lot of details are up in the air, but from what I know so far is that we will be helping with the administration and deployment of their entire system of food distribution to thousands of people who are in reach of Emmanuel International who has been in Haiti for twenty-five years already.

This is an opportunity that I had to jump at it when it arrived.  When disasters hit across the world, I normally feel helpless and get over-fed with information on status updates, and then within a few months it’s completely off the radar.  I never thought I would have an opportunity to actually use my gifts in a situation like these, but since the opportunity arose, there was no way I could say no.  This is the kind of justice that I talk about all the time but very rarely have a chance to enact so directly.  So my business will be shutting down over the next three weeks, with Ron taking the extra load and support while I’m gone; the new printer will be sitting unused and I’m jumping on a plane on Wednesday to serve in whatever way I can be used.

One of the first things that needs to get done when we get there is to get a clinic up and running and getting supplies shipped to it.  Once that is set, the plan is for Rachel to join me in about a weeks time.  Please pray that all goes as planned to accomplish this.  Having Rachel in Haiti doing what she does best will be great for the clinic and for her.  Rachel is an excellent caregiver and is the only nurse I know that would be willing to put her schooling and everything she’s working toward here on hold and even at risk so she can be there with people who are hurting.  We will also be working with some mechanics to try and get the vehicles working so that supplies can move around more easily to the clinic and the distribution centers.

Right now, this is all I know about the trip.  We fly out of Toronto early on Wednesday morning.  I don’t know if I’ll have any web access at all while I’m there, but if I do I will do my best to give updates with stories and keep people posted with what’s going on.  A lot of people have been extremely supportive already with me going and have been asking how they can give and help.  Since we are going with Emmanuel, and they are an approved organization with the Canadian government for Haiti relief, the Canadian government is matching dollar for dollar for all donations.  So if you can give, please do through here through Canada Helps to Emmanuel International.  All help will go directly to the work we are doing in Haiti while we are there and the projects we will be part of.  Please make sure you select the option for Haiti earthquake relief.

Thanks everyone again for your awesome support and encouragement.

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