10 February 2010

This will be my last night in Haiti. I feel a little sad at leaving but there is nothing left here for me to do. The members have been great. The warehouse is up and running drivers have been trained and are making deliveries. They are extremely capable and hard working.

I had a humbling experience this evening. I worked all day with 5 young men, all returned missionaries. At some time, I know it was well after noon I decided we should stop for lunch. I was pulling out the MRE's and the young men were looking a little rescind to another lousy meal. I asked if there was a place closeby where they could buy a lunch. They agreed there was so I asked how much it would cost to feed all five of them, as I pulled out a $5.00 bill. PJ said it would cost $15. I hesitated but gave them the $15 and they took off. We worked until dark. As we were driving back to the old mission home PJ asked if we could take a small detour and drop one of the young men off. Of course there was not a problem. We turned up a bumpy dirt road that dwindled to a single lane (not that strange for Haiti). We stopped along a group of tents that were surrounded by a two rail two by four fence. Robert got out. PJ said that he lives in one of the tents. An older gentleman came over and we shook hands. He introduced himself as the bishop of the local ward. PJ wispered that he also lives in the tent city with several other members of the ward.

It just so happens that PJ is getting married on the 1st of March. I couldn't ask where he was going to live.

On a brighter note, I have noticed an encouraging trend the last couple of days. People are beginning to cleanup and rebuild. There is a cash for work program the some government or group is sponsoring. There are groups of people in orange vest working to clear rubble and debris. There were more lights as we drove home tonight. Odney says that 40% of the city has power. I get the sense that Haiti will be better than before when it is rebuilt, assuming the government or some Hugo Chavez type doesn't get in the way.

I keep promising pictures. Last night I thought I would have to reneg on the promise because I lost my camera...again. But today as the young men were leaving for lunch I happened to look on the toilet box (a long and sordid story) and there was my camera. So there will be pictures. Don't worry, I use the toilet boxes for garbage cans. They work quite well.

Anyway, I think it has been two days since I showered so I am going to shower before going to sleep.