MAF reports from Haiti

Mission Aviation Fellowship, that flew us in and out of the jungles of Venezuela, has a work in Haiti and are located where the quake hit. Here is an early report from them.


-----Original Message-----
From: "Rick Dickson"
Subject: FW: Earthquake

Phone lines and electricity are all down in Haiti as nightfall has now come We have managed to receive two e-mails from our program manager there, sent via his Hughesnet Satellite Dish saying that all seven of our MAF families are safe, praise the Lord! Each is currently hunkered down in the doorways of their cement homes waiting the night out in alert for any destructive aftershocks.



We have heard from two sources, not confirmable at the moment, that the home of one of our young pilots is down. We aren't sure if it's his home or just his wall, since the program manager did mention that "two walls are down."



Only our Lord knows what lies ahead for Haiti in the next few days. Security will be an issue for looting and such because there is absolutely no infrastructure in Port-au-Prince to handle a crisis of this magnitude and quickly things go to an "every man for himself" mentality. (Rick and I have seen this before in Africa.) Rick got a report from a relief agency already that water will be the foremost critical issue. One of our families has a pool so we're praying it hasn't been cracked so that it could be a good source of potable water for some time for our team.



MAF is already working tonight in contact with relief agencies that will be sending in supplies.



Rick leaves tomorrow around noon to go to Haiti. The only flight he could get has to overnight in Miami and he'll arrive in Port-au-Prince early morning on Thursday.



That's all we know for now. (But we know that God is in control and we are trusting Him in all things.)



Thanks for praying!
It was a 7.0, and initial reports are lots of damage, probably deaths. Looking at mobilizing some relief activity,

Will send more as I get it.

Rick

________________________________
From: Mark Williams January 12, 2010 5:47 PM
Subject: Earthquake

Hi everyone,

At about 4:45 PM an earthquake shook our area for about 20 seconds. I am no expert, but I would think it is right up there with a 4 or 5.... The ground was surging, walls and telephone poles were swaying like I have never experienced. All the staff at our side of town, the Kruls, Carwells, Whites, Edgertons and Williams are doing fine, but shaken. The phones don't call out so I am not able to get hold of the Broyles and Munsells. I understand from outside sources that they are OK.

All houses are intact. There have been many after-shocks, to a much lesser level. Lots of dust in the horizon which to me indicates many structures collapsed in the downtown area.

We have no idea of the extent of the damage. I will be in contact with various sources if/when able.

We will be "sleeping" by our doors. We live in cement houses and do not want to have them collapse on us. I have briefed all the staff to sleep near exits in the houses. I will most likely call off flying tomorrow but try to go down to the airport to access damage...pray there are none.

Thanks for your prayers.

Mark