Mid-morning Wednesday

We've spent some time at the school checking for damage.  People have asked what they can do.  From what we can see, we are going to need about $10,000 to do repairs to the school just to make it safe enough that children can come back to school.  We've just sent the children home for at least one week, just to be safe.  If you would like to help, this is one way that you can. 

Cheques can be made out to Hands Across the Sea Association and sent to:
    Hands Across the Sea
    Box 101
    Yarmouth, NS B5A 4B1

Information continues to trickle in.  Phone service (mostly cellular here) has been down since the earthquake.  Thankfully we have satellite-based Internet as well as television so are able to stay in touch and receive information.

Luckner drove to PAP last night to evaluate the situation.  The road to the capital was open.  Once he reached PAP it appeared that virtually all the buildings were damaged, and there appeared to be many casualties.

We've received several confirmations that the airport is operational.  The UN web sites are indicating that aid is beginning to arrive.

Locally, we have been successful in securing more diesel for the generator as well as fresh bottles of water, so we are in excellent condition ourselves.  There appears to be little damage to homes in the immediate area.  Southeast from here, we've had reports from a man who runs another orphanage that the poor area there has been quite badly damaged however.  Everyone here is worried about friends and family in PAP - no one is unaffected.  With phone service down people are trying to make their way to the city to try to find their loved ones.  Some reports are beginning to come in, unfortunately some of them tragic.  One woman reported her aunt and three children were killed when their house collapsed.  The man who runs the nearby orphanage spent the night leading his congregation in prayer and lost his own house, and is now going to PAP to find his brother and bring him home one way or another.

Please continue to pray, and for those who are called, to gather and send funds.  For now, those seeking to get disaster relief funds through quickly should contact one of the major aid agencies such as the Red Cross, as they are better positioned to deliver effective emergency aid.