The Family

The Family
Justice, Logan, Jacy Klaire, Joy, Josie Kate, Luke, Megan, Judah, Kerry, Jaxon

Monday, January 18, 2010

Emotional Times

Hendricks Motorsports took my mother-in-law and step-son away yesterday. We found out Missionary Flights International was flying out missionaries to Florida so we made the trip to PAP to put 4 of the members of the team that had been visiting on the plane. It was an emotional time to see friends and especially family leave but we knew it was best. The Benfields stayed behind to work in the hospital and help but the others had to leave.

We also met up with Julie Wirries at the airport. What a blessing it was to see her and talk to her. She was on her way out on the same flight. She was so torn because she did not want to leave but the mission where she was working was destroyed and they had spent five nights sleeping outside with no bathrooms and no where to go. She barely escaped the collapse of the building. It collapsed all around her but God protected her miraculously and she was unharmed. She is headed back to Florida to be with family. Keep her in your prayers and try to email her (Juliewirries@yahoo.com) and let know you are proud of her and will continue to pray for her.

As we watched the plane taxi to the runway it quickly flashed through my mind..."why are you not on that plane with your family"... after all many people had told us I needed to get them out before it got any worse. I could see us sitting in my mom's living room in the NC mountains with no one crying over dead bodies, open wounds, over crowded streets, lines of people waiting for food, no horrible smells or fear of airborne diseases. But the thought was only fleeting as I stood by my best Hatian friend and thought of the 4 families he now had living in his little house with little or no food and water. The the other families that we have bought supplies for to go and help deal with now having to feed their entire extended families as well as deal with the fact that they themselves had lost someone in the quake. Almost everyone here lost a friend, or coworker, or family member.

The trip to PAP was uneventful. We did see where they had dumped a couple of bodies on the side of the road and the smell of the area where they had started a mass grave was unbearable. But no violence. We were able to buy 11 gallons of diesel that had been salvaged from a ruptured fuel line at the warf. We paid $45 haitian per gallon which is about $5.65 USD. That was the only fuel we could find. That is going to be our biggest challenge. We are stuck without fuel.

This morning we dropped Shelly and Bob off at the hospital where we are in the process of opening one of our eye clinics. It worked out great. Shelly was able to deliver a baby and Bob worked on several injured quake victims. They will do the same tomorrow with another nurse that is arriving tonight from Hickory.

We went on to St. Marc to try to find diesel and other supplies. We were able to find all of the food and supplies we need without a problem but no diesel. We found a place you could buy only one gallon for $70 Haitian or $8.75 USD per gallon. We were looking for 50 gallons and the line to get one gallon was 2-3 hours long.

Philip is meeting up with 3 people from YWAM in California where he and Logan served last year. They are coming to meet him and they will work together with the YWAM team in St. Marc this week. Philip will be spending the next few days there.

Our other issue is finding somewhere to get money. The normal places we could cash American Checks were in PAP and are now rubble. Western Union is functioning to some extent but it is days to get through the line and not very reliable at the moment. We talked to a missionary group today that was leaving because they could not get money and had no more diesel fuel.

As we drove down the road today I could not help but see the despair on everyone's face. The shock has worn off and the reality of the loss of their old life is starting to set in. What a momumental task we face as we try to help them assimilate into their new souroundings and deal with the trauma. Only God can do it. Keep the Haitian people in your prayers.

11 comments:

BobbieG said...

Just want you to know that you and your family are such an inspiration to me. Watching the broadcast of what's going on over there on TV just breaks my heart. Thank you for what you are doing! :) Jeremiah 29:11
"For I know the plans I have for you," says the Lord. "They are plans for good and not for disaster, to give you a future and a hope." (NLT) You are giving these Haitian people hope for a better tomorrow! Again thank you! :)
Bobbie Gay

Anonymous said...

To continue the verses from Jeremiah...
"Then you will call upon Me and come and pray to Me, and I will hear you. When you seek Me with all your heart, I will be found by you, declares the LORD..."

I am so thankful that our almighty God never forgets His promises. God is working and He will give you peace and rest. We are praying for the Haitian people and that God will be glorified.

J.T. in Newton NC

Barbara said...

We are praying for you. We know GOD will give you strength for each day!! He is able, he is able, I know my Lord is able to carry you through!!
Barb McAlister

Tricia said...

I cannot say enough how much WE LOVE YOU and how we PRAY for the Lord to SUSTAIN you, COMFORT you, and always PROVIDE A HEDGE OF PROTECTION AROUND YOU. And likewise, we lift the Haitians to the LORD to be their REFUGE in a time when anguish surrounds them. May he lead others to comfort them and to help RESTORE THEIR HOPE, as he has sent YOU. You are doing a mighty work indeed! And although the hours and the tasks are overwhelming, remember always that your work is not in vain! You are bringing HONOR to the FATHER by investing in HIS PEOPLE all around you. We love you Reeves and Benfield families, and Philip too! We love you each and every one!

The LORD is my rock, my fortress and my deliverer;my God is my rock, in whom I take refuge.
He is my shield and the horn of my salvation, my stronghold.
Psalm 18:2

In CHRIST alone, our HOPE is found!
Tricia and family

Sina Pipkin said...

You are truly a light through these dark days! Thanks so much for all you are doing. Much love and constant prayers remain with you and all God's precious children in Haiti.

Anonymous said...

Want to let you know that you are in ALL of our thoughts and prayers. We serve a mighty God and his plans are GREATER than ours. What an opportunity you have to share the love of God and the peace that ONLY comes from Him. When we call on Jesus, ALL things are possible!! Many prayers from Hickory....love Rachel Knighton and East Hickory Baptist

Anonymous said...

What an inspiration you are to so many!!!! May you feel the prayers that are being lifted up as you work as the hands and feet of Jesus.
Love you bunches!
Carrie Benner and family

adsamples said...

We love you Kerry and we are praying for you all! May God grant you strength, encouragement and wisdom in these difficult days. You are a ray of hope and I know the Lord is blessing those in Haiti through you and Joy.
Love,
Dawn

jeska said...

I love you guys so much. I miss you. I think about you everyday. I Loooooovvvveeee you. Jacy weve been praying for you. Nana was worried about her after the earthquake this morning. because the other one kinda scared her. What you are doing is awesome. We are here for you and we will support you ine verything you do. It takes alot of faith to do what you guys are doing thats why so many people dont understand.

Anonymous said...

May the Lord continue to watch over you and your family. Thank you for all y'all are doing!!

Anonymous said...

Hey JOy... Joy I am so happy to hear that you and your family are ok... When the earthquake hit I couldn't stop crying.. I wonder if grandma was alive or not...
I wish I can get to Haiti and do what I can to help rebuild... Please let me know in anyway how I can help..
The social worker here in Japan who are helping American people adopt is giving free homestudies to anyone who is trying to adopt out of Haiti.. If you know any children who are able to be adopted please let me know... I want to be able to help these kids find forever familes...

I love you guys and I keep you, your family and everyone in Haiti in my prayers..

Love Always: Tanzi ;)