CHARLIE DETELLIS RETURNS TO HAITI

On Sunday, January 24, I returned to Haiti alone–after being evacuated on Friday, January 15. As you can imagine, I wanted to return as soon as possible. Our mission serves thousands of children and families, and now more than ever, they need us. While driving through Port-au-Prince, I saw more of the destruction of the city. I believe the upper class got hit hard with this disaster.

The aftershocks are still very frightening. One tremor hit while I was at my desk in the office–which is damaged beyond repair, and I quickly ran out of the building.

You cannot believe the amount of military personnel on our Bordmer compound! Right now, there are 150 Marines and around 250 Navy personnel based at our mission. There are tents, equipment, and U.S. military everywhere.

A U.S. military vessel is arriving with a delivery of supplies tomorrow. They will begin distributing food to our school locations tomorrow. Our compound is full of men and gear. Even behind the mission are six amphibious vehicles. There are some 20 pallets of ready to eat meals (MREs) in our yard. Currently, the servicemen at our mission are SeaBees. They are the Construction Battalions of the United States Navy. The Seabees have a history of building bases, bulldozing and paving thousands of miles of roadway and airstrips, along with accomplishing other construction projects of a wide variety. God knew who we needed! These are men who can do physical work. There are trucks, hummers, pick-ups, bull dozers, tractors, and forklifts. This definitely is God’s timing.

Our schools are opening and the work here will be strong. The country is showing some signs of stability–as fuel is for sale at the gas stations, and I am hearing more banks will open this week. I see a new strength within our Haitian leadership at New Missions. They are proud to serve and know that God is with them. Amen! God is our refuge and strength.