Cool story Bryan just told me...
He was talking on his satellite phone from the roof of a house in Carrefour when an old Haitian guy on the ground overheard Bryan speaking English and shouted up (in English), "Where is the aid? What are you going to do?" Bryan responded in Creole, explaining that the group was a small operation, and he was getting as much aid to the people as he possibly could.
The man was surprised and asked Bryan where he learned to speak the language. When Bryan told him that he had learned in Jeremie, the man became animated, telling Bryan that Jeremie was his home town. Of course, Bryan explained that his wife (me) was the granddaughter of George Clerie, a pastor from Jeremie who founded many churches in the Grand Anse province.
The man was overwhelmed and elated to hear this news. Bryan wondered what the big deal was...and then the man said, "George Clerie baptized me!" My mom would have loved that little "coincidence."
On another note, USAID is getting some food to the Catholic hospital in Jeremie to help the people, which is a great relief. Almost all the refugees have been incorporated into the homes of people in Jeremie, many being family, and all is peaceful. This is a great testimony to the generosity of the Haitians there.
For now, money that comes in to us through Full Life Crusade or our home church will be wired to Jeremie to buy more food from the local vendors to help these families feed all the extra people in their households. We want to support the local economy as much as possible, while we continue the process of shipping containers, and possibly get some helicopter lifts??? It's still all talk at this point, but that sure would be great!
My sister, Heidi, is on her way back to Haiti. This time she's going with a doctor and another nurse and perhaps some others. It will be a different camp than the one she helped to start a month ago. There has been so much progress!
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Lisa,
ReplyDeleteI am moving to action! Although praying daily for the people of Haiti and for your family is a huge contribution to everyone's efforts, I feel it isn't enough. I am a doer and feel that I am not doing enough. Today in church Rod spoke about filling totes full of non-perishable items for the people of Jeremie. I immediately went up to him after service and told him I was going to start a campaign at school. At least on the 6-8 grade end. He is going to e-mail me a list of the needed items. I will create a flyer to distribute to the 6-8 grade homerooms and see if each homeroom can fill a tote. I saw the outpouring of donations during the week after the earthquake from the students and I know they will respond again. I have to get this all okayed by Pat, but I am sure he will be on board. I am going to ask him if we can have a "kickoff" assembly the week after vacation. I thought during our 10th period someday you and maybe Amy Carbone could visit us and speak to the students about your efforts. Just so they have a better understanding of what is going on.
Ray is also going to do the same at the prison. He is going to get all 530 guards and the union to fill some totes, too.
I hope this helps and I feel like I am doing more for the effort. Please let me know if you like this idea. I spoke with Anna Waterhouse and Paige Gilbert an they thing it is a great idea and said they would help me get it going at school.
Let me know if there is anything else we can do!!
Jenn Sheerer
awesome! that is great! everybody has a part to play in this. it's so important that we don't forget about haiti! the kids are powerhouses! any of our family will speak to your classes whenever you want us...just let me know. you can also e-mail me at lisabartow@yahoo.com. sometimes i don't see the comments people leave on this blog until weeks later.
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