Update from Missionary Ben Hopp in Haiti, Thursday

Thursday, January 14, 2010
We just passed the 48 hours mark. It is hard to believe the earthquake happened 2 days ago already. Even being out here in Kaliko it feels a world removed from the pain and suffering of Port-au-Prince. The more we talk with people the more devastating the picture becomes. The Hotel Montana has collapsed. The Caribbean Market where we shopped many times is a pile of rubble.

On the other hand we hear more stories of miraculous escapes from the destruction. We are very happy to report that Pastor Octavius Delfils and his family are all safe. The two-story house they were renting collapsed around them. Only Octavius’ son Carlen sustained a serious injury to his hand. The doctors at Messailler here on a medical team were able to save it but he needs to come to the US for follow-up. Pray they would be able to find his passport in the rubble to enable his travel.

A number of you have been asking about other folks we know here in Haiti. Both our interpreter Max and Widline are safe. We have not heard another interpreter we often used named Mikenson. We are still trying to contact our good friend Josue in Port-au-Prince but have been unable to reach him.

Many people including missionary teams caught here when the quake hit are trying to get out the country. Communication is still very difficult and all you get from the embassies are recorded messages. This has made it very stressful for folks. Pray that the airport would be back to normal operation to allow commercial flights to resume.

We are now considering our own situation and what we should do. On the one hand we want to stay and help our Haitian brothers and sisters. The facts are that fuel is no longer available. Soon food and water will be in short supply. In Port-au-Prince it is very likely that the desperation from hunger and thirst will drive people to violence. It may not be safe by the weekend. Help is on the way but reports on the ground are that airplanes full of supplies are not being met by anyone who can be in charge of distribution. The United Nations is busy rescuing their own workers from the rubble of collapsed buildings. Pray the the rescue efforts would be stepped up so basic food and services can be provided.
Right now we are hoping to fly out on a Missionary Flights International flight tomorrow. If not tomorrow then on Saturday. Pastor Steve Igo who is here visiting with us will come along on the same flight. We would arrive into Fort Pierce in the afternoon and relocate in the Tampa, FL area for the time being. The hope is that things will stabilize over the next few weeks and Ben would be able to return to help. Pray that God would be gracious in this difficult transition for our family.

Finally, here are a few links with news articles, some featuring our own comments or friends. There is also a link to pictures we took yesterday in Port-au-Prince:

Pictures from Steve Igo and the Hopps
Weeping and waiting