Hi from Haiti,

Today was day 7, and another incredibly busy, emotion filled day.

We thought we had a flight of supplies coming in early. We were at airport, but by satellite phone we were told the flight didn't make it in. There was a huge traffice jam in front of the airport. What made it worse were the dead bodies decomposing on the road, next to our truck.

Later in the day going to the villages, we saw dump trucks full of bodies being dropped off and buried in a mass grave. The situation is so sad and I will never get immune to it. The day my heart doesn't break for what I experience here, I will know it is time to leave Haiti.

However, in spite of the devastation, horror stories and pain, many good things are happening. As you see on CNN, the UN can't even distribute food without danger to themselves. The plan I have put in place is utilizing the 18 teenage young men currently staying with me. While the 10 children and 4 young adults are home, the 18 young men have become my team.

We are sending them out in teams of 6 with their back packs loaded with ready to cook bags of rice, bread and cash. They are visiting the homes of the people from our church and ministry area, and giving them these much needed supplies and money. They must have money for charcoal, matches, drinks and other necessities.

As the boys come home, I am thrilled to see their joy as they tell the stories of hope they are bringing people. One young lady said to one of my boys "just think if Tom had never moved to Haiti" as she shook her head.

My boys love their part and when this is over I believe they will have established themselves as real leaders in our ministry. By distributing supplies this way, in private, there is no mob, no chaos, no danger. We are working our way through a list of 200 families, most with small children.

Several days ago, we saw men from the garbage dump where we minister. They were taking rebar from cement brought from town. We gave them all fresh clean water and promised to be back every day. We have returned every day. It was awesome to give each of them 5 bags of water today and see their joy from a simple thing like water.

We were able to get our cash and change it to Haitian currency. We are going full speed. One of the men who works with us took care of changing the money. He knew we needed diesel fuel. On his own, after changing the money, he went to the gas company where he knew the owner. Mark then showed up at our home with a 55 gallon drum of diesel fuel, or two weeks worth. What a blessing that was. We now have fuel for a month.

Lawlessness is running wild; gangs are driving around shooting the drivers and taking their supplies. Today as we were out, we were able to share bread and help to many strangers. They all looked hopeless.

The US marines began to take control of downtown today and at one
point, ordered thousands of people to leave the city within two hours. The people left, and ended up in our suburb of Bon Repo. They were waiting for a free ride on a greyhound type bus. They were being driven north to Cap Haitain with the promise of food and shelter. Very smart to clear the city so rescue and rebuilding can move forward.

I have several more exciting chapters to share but...............will stop. All of my family is doing well. They are a great help to our ministry. Manel my oldest had the funeral of his aunt today.

To those of you scheduled to visit us in January and February, I just don't know what to tell you. I don't believe you will even be allowed to enter the country since there are no commercial flights. We will have to play this by ear. We will need your help in the months and years ahead. We look forward to you serving alongside us as we share Jesus in Haiti.

Okay, 2 last things, in the morning, sadly we will be bringing two of our school children to live with us. Kimberly and Bony Flesh. They lost their mom and dad and have been orphaned since Tuesday. We spoke to their uncle, who cannot care for himself let alone them, so.................I have two more children. They are like 8 and 9 years old. Two of you sponsor these sweet children. Their mom Natasha was the cook at our school.

Today while driving home with a load of bread, I thought of a young lady and her family. This girl Natalie used to be the girl friend of my son Manel. She is a sweet girl and I thought I would check on she and her family. We went down this alley and found the family. They had no food or water for several days. With tears in her eyes the mom hugged me and hung on, as we gave them fresh drinking water, and money. We left a very happy family.

Folks, this is what you are allowing me to do, and much more, thank you for those who can't thank you, tominhaiti