Details on todays Military delivery of food in Haiti

[Jordan Merlo]

Below is an email from Lynda Russo-Jones updating us on our efforts in Source Matelas, Haiti. If you in anyway feel compelled to help please visit the Life For the World website at http://www.lifefortheworld.com/Thank you.The nuclear-powered ship USS Carl Vinson with its crew of 4,000 “green sailors” performed 13 air drops to the village of Source Matelas today at the beseeching of the Maranatha Orphanage staff. The majority of the sailors onboard had never been to sea prior to January 10, 2010. This Super Carrier with its 4.5 acre flight deck can be seen in operation mode on this short video from the US Navy News website:https://www.youtube.com/user/USNavyVisualNews#p/a/u/1/oRYEmynV9W4The morning started when I telephoned Mike out of bed with a terse “get up, dude….the military wants to help”. Within 15 MINUTES, their first chopper had landed.Today’s drop included the cooperation of 15 armed sailors, Mike Fedele, Bryan Hutcheson, and a group of 15 Haitian men who regularly work with us in our village. Choppers dropped approximately ½ mile from the orphanage. It was the largest military food drop to date in Haiti, yet was the most orderly they have experienced (according to the XO in charge). There was a significant amount of press, including the Navy’s own video personnel, so I’m looking forward to seeing the footage once they make it available. Mike Fedele’s mastery of Haitian Creole proved invaluable. Bryan Hutcheson’s mastery of military procedure (aside from the fact that he out-ranked everybody on the ground), was crucial to the success of the operation. They delivered food and water to feed over 5,000 people, as well as badly needed tents.Sadly, as the last helicopter was pulling away, the crowd pressed in and one Haitian young man was trampled to death. Bryan attempted resuscitation without success. Mike said by the time they were leaving, he could hear the wails of the young man’s family. In the midst of our joy, American pride, gratefulness and praise to God, we are saddened by this loss. Please pray for his mother’s broken heart.RE: UN Registration: Today we “registered” with the UN, Unicef, and another American/Haitian governmental office which supposedly will monitor the regular food deliveries to all orphanages. This was done in the massive tent city area you see off the end of the PAP airport runway, where these crazy tent-offices have been set up. This whole concept is so ironic, since we’ve been a “registered” licensed facility for over 7 years, yet have NEVER ONCE had a governmental visit of any sort.Re: Orphans: Mike has asked me to arrange for immediate removal of the kids from our site. He believes the structural situation is too treacherous to continue inhabiting the yard. Tomorrow I will arrange for another orphanage, about 60 miles away (some of you have been to WM#2’s place), to take our kids and 10 of their caretakers, until such time as the ultimate evacuation to America, or rebuilding of our facilities, can be achieved. Please pray that God will soften the heart of other orphanage director of whom I will make this daunting request in the morning. God moved mountains this morning, and I trust he’ll help me move a few kids 60 miles.