Liz Clarke shares her middle – of – the – night musings, as Hurricane Matthew begins it’s descent on Haiti.
Campus shot during heavy wind gusts
We heard the weather report on Friday through our friend Jennifer.
She was gracious to us newbies and shared her knowledge about Hurricane season and a few stories of cyclones past. I joked about Matthew being followed by Mark, Luke, and John.
I take it back.
He was said to arrive Sunday, but I guess Hurricane Matthew takes his Sabbath’s seriously.
The government did call off school for two days though and when we got wind, Heidi rushed around Sunday night, calling parents, cancelling both the preschool and the Thrive program. As night fell, the whole country lay in wait.
Monday morning arrived overcast and ominous, but still no storm. The air was dead calm but the anticipation so thick, you could taste it. The whole Staff showed up for devos but it was obvious no real work was going to be done today, so we started in on the monster list of things that needed to be prepared around the house. Kalot filled the generator with gas, Heidi filled water jugs. Felix and I climbed the roof and shut all the high windows, then Appolon and I went to the bank. Kalot picked me up at Fankoze in the three-wheeler and took me into town to buy supplies. We filled up on some staple food supplies to have on hand as resource for whatever may come. I also purchased water bottles, toilet paper, avocados (10) and some Pringles. Craig and Christi instructed me to think about what we might need if things get bad and we were stuck without supplies for a month. On second thought, I should have taken more toilet paper … and Pringles. 🙂
Our campus is located on the north side of the Central Plateau. The plateau is nestled in by mountains on all sides. While the mountains will block a lot, we still anticipate heavy winds and lots of rain.
Monday night, 11:40pm and I’m feeling wind, it’s intermittent but strong. The whole house is shut up for the first time since we moved in. The shutters moan and creek as they clap in the huge gusts … what a sharp contrast to the eerie stillness of the day thus far.
I get word around midnight that there was an ocean surge on the southwest coast at La Cayes. Homes and buildings gone.
Tim, sends another doppler photo showing expected winds of 145mph along the coast. It shows the storm; big, red, and creeping our way at a slow but steady 7mph. I start to feel the reality of it all. My stomach hurts so bad, water starts to leak out of my eyes.
I’ve been praying all day for mercy, asking God to change the direction of the winds.
His plan is not that.
What a strange mixed bag of emotions. I feel safe and at peace, yet there are so many people living in stick and mud huts that will be washed out in the heavy rains. And crops growing tall that will topple in the wind. And people, only 50 miles away that will probably die tonight. I can’t even express what I’m feeling for them.
Tuesday 2:00am and the rain arrives. It’s gentle for now. Tim says it should pick up and by 8am we will be in the thick of it.
Until then…
I’m here, in this big cement house, protected not only by heavy cement and tin, but by three wonderful men in the yard who are vigilantly keeping watch, as well as by the prayers and concerns of many loved ones back home.
But people are displaced and possibly dying on the other side of this island.
It doesn’t feel right.
Liz , I am so sorry for this looming disaster, I pray that God will outstretch His hand and calm the storm as only He can. I will lift you and everyone up in prayer, praying for safety and unity in this crisis. May God Bless you all and keep you safe.
Pamela Abrams
P.s. I would bring everyone some Happy Joe’s , or no Mango Tree -and of course more Pringle and TP if I could 🙂
Thanks Pamela! We have been i awe at the amount of support and concern pouring in from everywhere! God has surely kept us safe.
But others have suffered immeasurably.
Lord have mercy in the aftermath.
I dream of Happy Joes WITH mango Tree! haha:P
Thanks!
Praying for your safety & for all those around you. Please stay safe.
Thanks Diane! We are so grateful for the time and energy, prayers and concerns that have come in from everywhere.
God Bless you!
Liz, I’ve been praying for you and the people of Haiti. Thank you for letting us know you are okay. Keep us posted on what is happening as you are able. May Jesus keep you safe in his arms.
Val,
Your prayers are heard! We are safe. Others are not.
Keep praying! Haiti is hurting.
xoxo
Lots of folks praying for all of you…and for all the people in Haiti.
Sheldon! We appreciate it so much! We are so grateful to have a wonderful community of people supporting us from afar. Prayer is the most important thing!
Keep praying for Haiti…her people are hurting.
God Bless you.
Liz,
Thanks so much for keeping us updated. What a heartbreaking event for an island already battered and hurting. But … we trust that God’s ways are better than our ways, and so we fall again to our knees before Him.
May the Lord bless and keep you, Liz; and may He equip you & your cohorts to speak His voice of comfort to those who are hurting all around you.
In Christ,
Doug B
We have been praying for you and your community.
I can’t even imagine…..how the people of Haiti feel!
Maybe; much like Job?
I pray that your faith remains strong and your tears impower you to do greater things!!
Prayers/Peace
Rick
I cried reading your blog Liz. My heart has been hurting since I learned of this storm and I can not even imagine how yours is breaking. Still His plan is beyond our understanding all too often. In the midst of all the the tears I am still struck by the beauty of the storm in your photo… You all are doing such a great work in Haiti…praying for you daily. <3