Earthquake - Day Three

Sunrise, day three. Tony-the-Elementary Principal (not to be confused with long-beard-Tony-the-teacher), led us to his apartment and offered us the use of his bathroom. We felt civilized once again. Then, luxury of all luxuries...he brought us a tray laden with four cups of coffee and cream and sugar! We drank coffee like proper middle-aged ladies, and changed our clothes, brushed our teeth and were refreshed. As we wandered about the school grounds, we spoke with several of the staff. The gals reminded me so much of myself, 25 years earlier. It was a trip down Memory Lane.

We all decided that we needed to send Pastor Val on his way, and reassure him that we could take it from here. We got all the suitcases out and went through everything. We sorted the dental supplies into one bag, the clothing into another. Candy, streamers, party favors and toys in a third. Vitamins, medical supplies, melamine dishes, fabric, sewing supplies. We loaded him up. We gave him gifts and gifts for his sister, Yrma. He proudly put on a new golf shirt as we all signed the North Carolina book we'd brought. Our little refugee family of five - Pappa Val with the four NC moms - posed for a photo together. We all tearfully hugged him and thanked him profusely for taking such good care of us. We pooled our cash and gave him the biggest Holy Ghost handshake we could spare. We urged him to be on his way to check on his home and the orphanage.

The rest of the morning was spent helping to divide up medications for the triage unit Quisqueya was setting up and planning to open the next day. There was a "Command Center" bulletin board, with lists of staff that was accounted for. Sobering. None were lost, miraculously, but we listened to stories of loved ones missing and lost. One little second grader was feared dead. The wife of a missionary was confirmed dead, while her husband suffered terrible injuries and had been airlifted first to Guantanamo Bay, and then to Miami. He still had yet to learn the horrible news.

We told our harrowing story, and listened to theirs. Many had spent the previous two nights on the field at the school. The grounds were miraculously spared any damage. They were converting the chapel into a surgery center. A group of 30 preschool children from an orphanage nearby was staying under the porch of the preschool building. I remember dreaming about teaching in that building when I first visited Quisqueya in 1982 as a college student. It was a beautiful thing to see that staff pulling together to serve their community. Dutch, American, Canadian, Haitian - all working together to be the hands and feet of Jesus. Some of the young teachers made plans to return to their families back home in the US or Canada. Certainly understandable. They were the age of my oldest daughter and I think I would have insisted on the same.

Steve Hersey, director of Quisqueya arrived and we were introduced. Although we felt safe, we still felt responsible for ourselves. We were generally at the mercy of these people; we had imposed upon their oasis in the night. We needed their support as we tried to make contact again with the US and to formulate a plan to get out of Haiti. It became imperative that now that we had separated from Pastor Val, and clearly were not on the course we had set out to be on when we left home, we had to leave. We were a drain on precious resources as we did not have a clear mission or purpose in staying. We would have gladly slept on those picnic tables again and fasted for a few days, but we had to have water. We didn't want to burden anyone with our presence.

We told Steve of our plan to stay at the CSI guest house a few streets away. Everyone began to tell us that it was badly damaged, and that that option was not a possibility. Steve took us there to talk with the guest house directors. They were sitting outside with computers and phones connected by long cords. Communication Central! We were able to make a few calls, send some email and post on facebook. We discovered that our husbands were working feverishly to get us evacuated. We all cried as we talked to our husbands and kids. My oldest, Abby, hurriedly told me of an opportunity she was given as a result of the earthquake: her boss had to give up an important trip to China to find the first child sponsored by World Vision in 1950, so that he could go to Haiti. He offered her the China trip as photographer. She had to know my response immediately as they were preparing visas. She was to leave in just a few days. Of course I gave my blessing; Just one request - get a satellite phone!

Steve quickly offered to take us to his home. He said we could keep his wife and kids company while he stayed at the school. They had been staying home, avoiding getting out and exposing the kids to anything disturbing. When we arrived, Ruth graciously welcomed us and we gathered under a beautiful bouganvillea outside on their patio. We talked of our experiences, how their house was undamaged but the books fell from all the bookcases. Their son, Sebastian had a chess game set up on a table in his bedroom. The table moved across the room but the chess pieces stayed in place. Sebastian entertained us with endless factoids. Suzanna read quietly and engaged us in conversation about her favorite books. Charming children.

Their dear friend of many years and housekeeper, Odanie had 10 of her family members camped out in the front yard. Moms, babies, toddlers and men spread out under tarps. None of the Haitians wanted to be indoors. Maybe we WERE the crazy ones.

The tremors continued, although they were not nearly as noticeable during the day when we were moving about and otherwise occupied. Ruth served us some homemade bread and cheese, and we shared our trail mix and granola bars. We washed dishes, played games and talked and talked. The internet worked off and on all afternoon, and we frantically exchanged correspondence with our families.

As evening approached, Odanie came inside and made spaghetti for us. Again, an incredible and relished meal. Amazing how appreciative you are of food in situations like that. When we finished, Ruth carried the extra outside to Odanie's family. This was their practice at every dinner. The sharing of a meal took on new meaning.

Sebastian and Suzanna offered us their beds for the night. I still feel so humbled by their kindness. They fretfully made the decision to sleep inside, all of them in one room. Unfortunately, Steve and Ruth have a water-bed, so every time Steve moved ever-so-slightly, Ruth panicked that another tremor was happening. Julia and I shared one bed, Linda and Lisa in another. We took very fast cold showers, and felt comfortable for the first time in days. As we laid down, we all looked forward to a good night's sleep.

But it was not to be. Between the constant tremors, the nocturnal fighting/screeching/barking/crying dogs, the roosters (who obviously don't know about sunrise), the two cooing doves outside our window, and the ever present mosquitos...we were kept awake by the cacophony. Now I know that people who live near airports get to the point of being able to block out the noise, but seriously....

Night number four for me without sleep.