Hurricane Sandy in Haiti

We're pretty soggy here in Port-au-Prince, but as one of my sisters is wont to say, "...and if that's the worst thing that happens to me today, aren't I lucky!"   We even have our power back, which I wasn't expecting. 


It's dark, windy, and soggy in Port-au-Prince this week thanks to Hurricane Sandy.

Others have not been so fortunate.  One has died, swept away while trying to cross a river. The southern peninsula has been the hardest hit.  Les Cayes and Petit-Goave are under water, and there is is flooding all over.  When I think of the people who are without shelter... but even those who have shelter may have their belongings washed away.  I'm thinking of one family in particular in Cite Soleil, people who have lost everything on more than one occasion.  They are not alone.  Agriculture is the mainstay of the economy here, and this will hit it hard.  Again.
  

Les Cayes, home to two of our sisters
photo via link below - there are others there, too

 Here is a run-down of the news so far, thanks to KD:

http://www.haitilibre.com/en/news-6991-haiti-environment-sandy-many-cities-affected.html

An excerpt:
In the South Department, the town of Torbeck is totally flooded, Port Salut, heavy rain and strong wind gusts, at the street of Quai the population was surprised by the waters, the beach of pointe sable is heavily damaged, the hotel du village is practically destroyed (severely damaged), as well as several houses in the street of Quai, of plantations destroyed and cattle heads away. Part of the railing of the bridge of Port-Salut was swept away yesterday due to the flooding river. Les Cayes is under water, the water reached up to 50 cm in some places, the hospital Immaculate Conception should be evacuated. The river Ilet is in flood. In Chantal, livestock washed away 70 people placed in temporary shelters.

It's not over yet. It's expected to rain through Sunday, dumping many more inches of water which will have no good place to go.  The hurricane is now heading past Cuba and up north, where I gather it will join with snow to form a major storm near New York. 

Please pray for those who have been affected here in Haiti, for those hard hit in Jamaica, Cuba, and other islands, and for all those up north preparing for the storm.

Psalm 46

1 God is our refuge and strength, *
a very present help in trouble.

2 Therefore we will not fear, though the earth be moved, *
and though the mountains be toppled into the
depths of the sea;

3 Though its waters rage and foam, *
and though the mountains tremble at its tumult.

4 The Lord of hosts is with us; *
the God of Jacob is our stronghold.
translation: 1979 Book of Common Prayer