Friday Evening

The support and individual messages we've been receiving are amazing.  Thank you so much to everyone who has written.  We're really sorry we haven't always had a chance to respond to everyone individually, but please know that we are encouraged by each and every comment and email!

We are finding that we are all dealing with the devastation in Port Au Prince in different ways and times over the last few days. The trip in yesterday and the photos that the team brought back really drove things home for a lot of us. Some of us had an immediate emotional response. Many were more worried about what loved ones at home would experience when they heard about the quake. Many of us each had "our time" to cry, pray, or think. For some, we have simply kept busy and will face our time upon our return home. During our devotional time together this morning, many expressed how glad they were that they came, that there was a reason for to have been here during this time, were having no regrets and looking forward to a chance to come back in the future.

We have been more grateful than ever to have had a consistent link to home through email, Facebook, Skype and the blog. It has helped everyone on both ends. Can you imagine what it would have been like to have had no contact?

Bob noted that it was "hard to get re-focussed after something like this has happened. We are still picking away at some of the smaller projects. We would like to be more directly involved in the rescue effort, but we still have to work on the project that we came here to do and that will have a direct impact on the 200 kids that attend the school."

The team worked on the four walls of the security hut and hope to finish the roof tomorrow. The footings at the base of the stairs of the new apartment were poured and they finished repairing a portion of the school wall. There is still about a hundred feet of the wall to tear down and fix. Tomorrow, the plan is build rebar frames which will reinforce the roof of the new apartment.

Jim and Tim have been busy upgrading and replacing much of the computer equipment for HATS in between helping with some of the projects.

Especially since the pace of work has slowed in the past few days, one positive result has been that there has been more time and attention for the children.  They have been able to enjoy times to cuddle, swing, bake, have wheelbarrow rides, or play games.  Alex is loving all the extra attention he is receiving.  Heidi taught him "Boom, Boom Ain't Great To Be Crazy?" He chimes in with `crazy`at the end of each line. He also enjoys the ``Itsy Bitsy Spider`and `Head and Shoulders, Knees and Toes.` Many times, at the end of each song, he grins and says clearly, ``Again.``

We are troubled to report that the Chia Pet fan club is beginning to spread to the children - here is Mirlande attempting to join in (using hair she pulled off Leonards chest):

We are still sleeping outside of the main house due to the cracks  in the columns.

We intended to meet and pass out the gifts and school supplies that were brought down for sponsored children. Since the earthquake occurred, we realize that this will not happen as school is closed and Karen will distribute them at a later date.

In one of last posts, we quoted Haitian radio as saying the death toll could go as high as 600,000 people. CNN just reported a much lower estimate of 45,000 to 50,000. We realize we cannot always rely on the estimates given, In any case, the numbers are horrific.  

Our plan is still to return to Canada via Montreal on Tuesday, if possible, and after overnighting, continue to our individual homes on Wednesday. We do realize that our plan may change and is subject to regular flights being able to get in by then, but we're in touch with Air Canada and Foreign Affairs daily to check on progress in that area.