Day 1...Arrival and Destruction

We finally were able to land at Port au Prince this afternoon and we all pushed the jet back into a small "parking spot" while we unloaded. There was a lot of buzz in the grassy fields of the airfield. The different countries have setup camps there (every country you can think of). The crowds started as we drove out the gate of the airfield. Haitians busy out and about which is good. Apparently this was the first day of having people back out on the street selling things.

We drove by one of the "tent villages". Hatians do not like sleeping outside but we found many sleeping on the street (Closing some streets altogether) Other more wealthy people slept in their cars too afraid to return to their homes. I was surprised to see the different levels of damage.

There were multi-story buildings that had completely colapsed to a stack of concrete slabs right next to another building that looked perfectly fine. Design and construction build is the primary difference. I saw countless destroyed buildings on our way to our first destination. The scariest of the buildings were the ones that were heavily damaged and leaning but have not fallen yet, just looming over the people walking by below on the sidewalks. We passed by Haitian search and rescue teams digging in malls, several elementary schools that have been given up on with the stench filling the streets.

We drove over the rubble of one building and under the leaning tower of another to get to a church compound two buildings over. One of the buildings was on the brink of colapse and another had parts colapsed already but a majority of the 3 story school could be salvaged. We visited another school which turned out to only have superficial damage and significant damage to one column that we hope can be repaired.
We stayed away from downtown due to violence there. As we continued on, the truck did overheat and some random haitian men came over and asked if we needed help. They eagerly brought two 5 gal buckets and after 30 min or so we were back on our way. When we asked where they lived they pointed to a damaged building with a banner saying, "need food and water, please help".

Things are not as chaotic as I thought it would be but as I was on the top of that 3 story school, I was able to get a better perspective on the surrounding area. So many buildings had colapsed (I counted over 40 in the immediate area), many others I could see, even from the distance, are damaged beyond saving. Honestly, I don't know how they will rebuild.

We are staying in an office of the company which provides internet to the whole country. It is in a location that was not affected by the quake so much so we have power, running water, food, internet and cots to sleep on. I feel guilty staying here but it will serve as a secure base station to get our bearings tomorrow.

In the morning we have a "cluster meeting" with other aid organizations and I hope to meet up with Samaritains Purse and the other members of our team so we can get a better idea of how we can address some of the dire water needs without inciting riots.

It's after 11pm and everyone else is asleep so I should do the same. Continue to pray for us, our efforts, and the people of Haiti.