25 of the US Marines stationed in Grand Goave spent the day with us today. They intended to bring down our collapsed buildings so we'd feel more secure during the aftershocks. They weren't able to bring them down completely but they were able to bring down the most dangerous areas and more importantly they were able to recover some of the food buried in the food depot.
The troops arriving:
Deciding how to bring down the buildings... explosive were mentioned but quickly vetoed by the ranking officer:
The front of the building was cleared to make room for the hummer to pull on the supporting beams:
The dangerous edge of the building was taken down:
They tried to break into the food depot from the front but couldn't:
...so they took down the back wall and made a hole in the floor. They crawled down and recover what they could:
They were also able to recover some of our school supplies in the Principal's office:
Rescuing a bike that was MIA:
The kids couldn't keep their eyes off this officer... any idea why? :)
That occupied most of our day. Despite the long work day for the Marines it was clear that they were enjoying the opportunity to "destruct" and their positive attitude rubbed off on the kids. It was nice to see the smiles back on the kids faces.
While they were packing up to leave I got a call from H2H Canada/Abbotsford Vineyard Church)
saying a helicopter from the DR was on it's way to us with the relief food & supplies!!! It arrived shortly after at the Marine basecamp and another group of Marines arrived with supplies... non-perishable food, soap, shampoo, flash lights, blankets, medical supplies, etc.
Here's Eliyou with some of the supplies. I can't express how thankful we are to have so many people working so hard to help us. Thank you!!!!
21 comments:
Finally, finally! Such great news...what an amazing day of help arriving. Thank you GOD!! Love you Rebecca :)
You just made me cry, but for the first time, they were happy tears of complete joy!! What a wonderful day you had! I hope you have a warm and comfortable rest tonight.
Thinking of you lots,
Heather xoxo
Three cheers for the U.S. Marines! And for God's faithfulness!
It's so great to hear such good news. And heart warming to see the smiles on those kids faces. They may be small, but they sure are strong and brave!
I'm praying for you all, all the time Rebecca! May God give you strength and keep you wrapped in his arms of love!
Totally misty eyed!! I'm so happy you've received relief, and that the children are smiling again. Praise God!!!!
God is good !
You are right Rebecca, to see those smiles on those kids faces it brings joy to my heart. So glad you finally got the help you so desperatey needed. I think of you everyday and am amazed at your strength and determination.
Praise the Lord!!! Oh how nice it is to see those kids smiling and to see you receiving the help that you need! God is so good!
Try number 2
Yeah!!!! WoW, Thank you God and thank you Rebecca for being bold and allowing God to lead you. It has been such a pleasure these past few years in watching you listen and follow God. It was so good to see those familiar big smiles. Thank you God for the help you have sent. Please give everyone a big hug for me and tell them I love them!!!
Man, this is so cool. Brought a huge smile to my face! Praise God! I'm praying for you guys and so is the rest of my college.
I've been reading your blog avidly but have never commented before ... you're doing such great work :)
What a great day Rebecca. We are so happy to see God honouring your efforts and commitment to the kids. Everyone here is thinking about you. You are the "poster girl" for Haiti relief efforts. God bless you!!
You know how great news this was to receive last night! Still praying. The fundraiser for rice for you guys was awesome. It was in the Abbotsford Daily news. Talk about a nation coming together. The kids were so happy to send rice down to you guys!
I just sat here at work and read your entire blog. I came over on a suggestion from another blog I read and I feel like I know those kids.
It broke my heart to see the pictures of the fallen walls but am so encouraged by the smiles they keep on their faces. Their Faith in God continues to amaze me.
I cried when I read this entry. Thank God for US Marines. Thank God for you and thank God for Haiti.
I will be praying that things start turning around and adding your blog to my reader for updates.
Thank you again for what you are doing.
I "randomly" ended up here through reading a blog post by someone else...and I cried. My kids are supporting Heart for Haiti with their entire school in Abbotsford and we just dropped off food yesterday. WE send school supplies there every year. And to see pictures of PEtit Goave...we sponsor a child there. Please know that we are praying and sending and praying some more...
WOW!!!
I glad the Marines are there to help.I have a son pictured with one of the children..He is the one boxing with the young boy.God bless you all.
So good to see some pictures of the Marines there helping. My son is a part of the USMC effort there. I haven't heard from him for awhile but know he is helping there with all of his heart and soul. Keep up the good work NGO and USMC!
Thanks so much for posting the photos. My son (LCpl Tom Forehand) is in there somewhere. It's so good to know that they are a meaningful part of blessing the Hatians.
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