A quick word

We've been neglecting the internet this week because Monday morning we came to Port-au-Prince and tried to hit the ground running. I've been working for the last two days at the U.N.'s logistics base, working to get MCC's canned meat to people who need it here, as well as helping Alexis organize a database of assessments of camps set up around the city. Bryan's been delivering food, talking with neighbors, and generally helping things run smoothly at the MCC office.

At the moment a bunch of folks are sleeping at the Depps' house, which is where we were this morning when the 6.2-level aftershock swept through the city. Even though we were sleeping outdoors on a covered patio, we all leapt up and ran out to an uncovered area - it was unsettling to say the least. So far we've only heard of minimal damage from that tremor, so that's positive.

There are fewer people on the streets than usual (I guess that "usual" will never come back), although lots more with big bags and lots more just hanging out. Many, many people have started to leave Port-au-Prince to go live with friends and families in the countryside, and a concern is making sure those areas receive the help they need to absorb the population increase. Fortunately (or really unfortunately) many Haitians are used to living without electricity or running water and having to bathe outdoors. Things are bad and there's need everywhere you look - but people are still able to be kind, to kick around a soccer ball, to start to clean up the mess. It's been encouraging for us to come here and see how much actually is being done, how people are caring for each other, and how people are starting to cope with what happened.