Even though neither food distribution nor disaster relief of any kind were part of our perceived “mission” and certainly not allocated in our ministry budgets, the event of January 12 created both challenges and opportunities that could not be ignored. Because of our significant history and presence on LaGonave, in Petit Goave and other areas we quickly realized that unless we and other partner organizations were willing to advocate for our communities any serious needs would be overlooked by the “drive by” approach of some multi-national or government agencies.
One very natural extension of our existing ministries was the decision to open an emergency field hospital in the city of Petit Goave. Because we have been doing medical ministry in Haiti for more than fifty years we were uniquely positioned in the chaotic first days after the earthquake to put medical people on the ground in some of the most devastated area and supply them long before most other organizations were able to mobilize. At the same time our existing hospital on LaGonave was inundated with earthquake victims brought to the island by family members. To support the medical enterprise, stretched to its limits, mission personnel both national and expatriate worked impossible hours for extended periods of time.
In spite of obvious need for a relief supply/ food distribution the truth was that we lacked the funds to purchase necessary supplies, the logistical experience to pull off such an endeavor, and the manpower to organize and supervise orderly distribution. It was at this point that God sent to us a team of individuals from the New York New England District of the Wesleyan church with whom our first “conversations” were held and from which developed a much larger network, including Calvary Chapel in Spokane Washington and several intersections with YWAM both here and in the states. You can read about this part of the story at: Churches Link Arms for Supply Shipment. Tonight I am looking backwards with gratitude and forward with open anticipation.
Looking Back
Even as we first began to recognize our dilemma, our incapacity to do relief distribution in the face of incredible need, God was already at work putting people and pieces together to supply the need. I will always be incredibly grateful to Chris Thompson and his son Caleb as the initial spark plugs, the New York New England District Superintendent Paul James made a courageous call to move quickly when all the details were far from clear. This great adventure would not have been possible without the physical presence of volunteers who took point to raise funds, purchase supplies, arrange shipping and then travel to Haiti to assist in distribution. Caleb Thompson and Andy Pratt arrived with the first load. Josh Nerren who came all the way from Spokane provided valuable support shortly after. Pete Thompson followed offering invaluable expertise as the distribution began to get a little more complicated. Terry Snow and others of YWAM Haiti contributed their experience and logistical support. Wesleyan Missionary/WISH directors Butch Alexander and his crew spent hundreds of hours transporting relief supplies over land and sea. Haitian businessman Chris Nezivar provided a great deal of transportation support, much of it paid for out of his own pocket. Haitian agricultural and project expert Paul Donn Jean crafted a masterful distribution plan for the civic and community organizations and Pastor Keno Osne spearheaded the church network . Missionaries Tricia Alexander, Justine Iskat, Matthew Tegen and Diane Busch provided housing, meals and logistical support to the distribution team while also entertaining one medical/surgical team after another. Our most recent food distribution volunteers were Chris and JD from YWAM Montana.
In our distribution to this point we have made strategic use of church networks but we have also intentionally created a network using civic and community organizations. To this point our distributions have been peaceful, orderly and very positively viewed by the communities. Unaccustomed to equitable distribution one lady in a remote mountain village observing the truck of food climbing the mountain turned to one of the Haitian distribution personnel and expressed her amazement and appreciation with the words of a Haitian proverb “water has finally run uphill.” One local official in the town of Point-a-Roquet stated that this was the first time that he was aware that a distribution through Anse-a-Galets ever arrived in this town on the other side of the island. All this was possible by the gracious provision and the obedient response of an amazing network of people and organizations.
Looking Forward
While it is difficult to project exactly what is going to take place in this still chaotic situation, two facts are clear. The need for food, hygiene products, clean water and shelter material are still critical in the earthquake devastated areas and in those places where large refugee populations are still being maintained. Distribution is becoming more complicated and may require some creative strategy.
· There are still remote areas that have not been reached with relief supplies.
· The mandated reopening of schools on April 5 creates another potential distribution option, ie feeding school children, wet or dry feeding.
· In certain areas where devastation was near total, Petit Goave, Leogane, Carrefour Feuille the dependence of the population on relief food is still very high and will remain for an extended period of time.
· In communities supporting refugee populations the need for relief food support will remain high at least until rain begins to fall on gardens (end of May).
I’m confident that God will continue providing resources, both material and human, to meet the still very present needs in of those communities where God has given us influence and responsibilities.
