Hard to Believe

You've probably seen enough pictures of Haiti the last few days. We are safe and about 100 miles away from where the earthquake epicenter is. Yesterday when it hit we thought there was a helicopter riding really low in the area. We quickly realized it was an earthquake as the house was shaking and we heard the Thede's yell for us to come outside. It was pretty crazy. It took us a bit to realize that this could have been devastating for people nearby. We soon learned that it has been.
Isn't it so hard and sad? We don't quite know what to do. You probably know a similar feeling.
I'm sure you have seen pictures and news on tv and online, and have seen the devastation in Port au Prince. We are so glad to hear so much aid is being sent to Haiti. It's awesome to see the response of people. Dr. Kris left today to ride down to Port and offer her medical abilities and her translation of Creole and English. It is especially important that she knows medical Creole. As the phones are down, we won't hear from her for a little while, and don't know where she will stay or when she will be back. Please pray for her, and for her family as they wait to hear. Especially for Anna and Eli. (Ok, we just heard from her! She is safe, at a guesthouse in Port with people she knows, and going to work at a nearby hospital tomorrow.)
Today Chris and Cory put together a slideshow of pictures of Port au Prince to show to people here. They have nothing but radios to tell them news, so they hadn't seen anything yet. We went down to the church around 3 and showed a few Youtube videos and some pictures, telling them some news as well. The church was crowded, with people hanging through the windows and sitting outside. It was so strange, watching the Haitians as they saw pictures of the broken palace and people laying in makeshift hospitals. So many of them have family in Port and they can't get a hold of them. There is no way for them to know if they are safe, I can't imagine that kind of fear and the agony of waiting. They wanted to hear news and see pictures, though it felt a little strange showing the pictures. Pastor Jonas stood up afterwards and we sang a song, said a Psalm together, and prayed. It was a strange service. As we left Chris said, "what a strange way to be used."
We are sick with not being able to help directly. We are so close, but it seems so far! We still don't have a clear idea if people like us could even help down there. The city is full of people, and without medical training, strong Creole, or loads of food we don't know if we would be help or in the way. But that doesn't change the heaviness of our hearts! Today as I was trying to help Anna and Eli do school (We let them have the morning off...and all got under blankets and watched a movie...) I was holding back tears at the feeling of "stuckness" I felt. but I've been focusing on how important it is for us to be here with Anna and Eli, and how God knows exactly where we need to be and why. More importantly its not about us! (how long will it take me to learn that lesson in my life?) so we're praying for the people who have been devastated and for our neighbors who have no news of their families. At church this afternoon it was such a real privilege to just be with these people, some we know, others we didn't. They're so valuable and we pray that God can use this tragedy to reach people. In one minute our lives can completely change and we don't have time to wait to come to God and believe.
Thanks so much again for your concern and prayer! We're overwhelmed by it! And so so thankful we can communicate with home! Be looking for ways that God will work in this. Love, Chris and Kath