My dear fellow pilgrims,

It seems to me that I have become obsessed with Haiti. My mind, my heart and my very spirit are filled with concern and love for this island and its long-suffering people. I even had a dream the other night that I went to Gonaives and the mud had dried, like a sun-baked desert of clay, burying everyone there. It was completely desolate: no buildings… no vegetation… no people… I woke up soaked in sweat, but more determined than ever to keep up the holy crusade to improve the condition of our Haitian brothers and sisters that have endured so much.

On September 11, we (the Food For The Poor family) remembered and prayed for those who lost loved ones in that hate-filled and vicious attack. We prayed too for the innocent victims of that day and those brave uniformed men and women who lost their lives in the courageous attempt to save others who were strangers to them. We prayed for the many heroes of that day.

As I walked back to my office, I thought that in a few days it would be the 4th anniversary of the day when Tropical Storm Jeanne ravaged the city of Gonaives, destroying much of the city’s eventually replaceable property and taking over 3,000 totally irreplaceable and fully valuable lives. I asked myself if the world would remember to pray for them… for the innocent victims of the wrath of nature and the cruelty of poverty… for those with broken hearts who survived them… for the unknown and unsung heroes of those grueling days. I beg you not to forget them.

Now Haiti has had the great misfortune of having 4 unwanted visitors in the space of 25 days (Fay, Gustav, Hanna and Ike). Impassible roads… downed bridges… water surges from the sea… incessant rain and flooding… mud slides from the bare mountains… hunger and thirst… loss of the little they own… loss of life…

Yesterday, I saw a picture that I would never show to anyone. It was of a number of children, the little ones He called unto Him, blessed and loved so much, lying lifeless on the back of a pick-up truck. I thought of the immeasurable pain of their parents, the excruciating heartbreak of their grandparents. I thought of my own precious grandchildren. I wept.

I got into an argument yesterday with someone who was trying to tell me that there is no hope for Haiti. How little he understood the Haitian people… how little he understood the Creole saying, “mwen led, mwen la” (“I’m ugly, but I’m here”), that speaks of the indefatigable spirit of the people of Haiti… how little he knew that things that might seem impossible to man are made possible by an outpouring of God’s love.

I feel no shortage of hope for Haiti. I have already seen God’s love in action in so many ways:

Our executive and staff in Florida have responded with caring and concern and have doubled their efforts in order to send as much help as possible. In the last few days we have sent 48 containers, valued at nearly 3 million dollars, with emergency supplies to Haiti — tents, sleeping bags, hygiene kits, blankets, water, vitamin drinks, food, ready meals, and much, much more. Yet this is only the beginning, as this is but a mere drop in the ocean compared to the enormity of the need.

The Board of Directors and the Executive in FFP (Haiti) have responded to this crisis with such energy and passion that it makes me proud to think of myself as part of the same team. Their efforts in assessing needs, fundraising (leaving no stone unturned) and brainstorming for the most efficient solutions to the problems that we face there, can be described as nothing short of Herculean.

The partnerships, support and cooperative efforts that we have experienced from all media, the church, local government officials and corporate entities have been spectacular.

Our donors have responded to both media and website appeals for help with both immediacy and generosity. Additionally, many individuals who were not donors before have joined in this godly battle against poverty by contributing willingly through our website and phones, or in person at our office. They have recognized a universal brotherhood that includes those who are far away and whose voices are seldom heard.

I thank God for each one of you that has taken up the gauntlet to ensure that there is hope in Haiti. There has to be. God would have it no other way.

God bless you and I love you.
Angel