Deployment diary day 19: Friday 5th February

Tonight we have an exhausted but exhilarated team. Another great day of distribution alongside the guys of the 82nd. It seems there's a competition going on between the 82nd Red Falcons and the 82nd White Falcons. The good news is that we are working with both of them and the best news is that the people in need are benefitting. Today 6 of our guys accompanied the Red Falcons and distributed another 154,447 meals (to be precise!). Someone joked this week - 'we only distribute in 6 figures!' They had a great day - the area was about 20kms east of the city and the community had clearly received absolutely nothing. Working out here is all about creating good partnerships and working together.

Our new small truck (see pic) went out with one of our Haitian officer team members (Capt Manny) on its first run yesterday taking a full load of tents and food to a couple of our corps (churches) out east. The numbers don't compare with the big distributions but to be able to get to members of our own church family and show them they are not forgotten is so important. They have been just as impacted by the earthquake as anyone else. He took out 25,760 meals, 330 gallons of water, 1,520 hygeine kits and 184 family tents. That's not bad for a 'small' delivery, eh?

We said farewell to some very special team members today. Yesterday I paid tribute to our volunteer orphanage coordinator Mike. Today I want to honour our volunteer security coordinator, Andre. He lives on the island of Turks and Cacaos. We have a corps officer there who has made great community links - one of these being Andre. When the earthquake hit, Andre said 'I'm going to help'. He made his own way to Santa Domingo by plane, then took a coach, a motorbike taxi and a 'tap tap' (local taxi) to find DHQ in Port au Prince. Andre is open of those folks you simply describe as 'a character'. He's a property landlord, a nightclub singer (of some repute), an Elvis impersonator and a former military soldier. All qualities that have made him a very fine security coordinator. Dressed in camouflage fatigues and a Salvation Army T shirt he has liaised with the military, designed distribution layouts and led from the front when crowds have got 'sticky and hot tempered'. We believe God sent him to us. He has promised to return after a short break at home - we hope and pray he does.

The other ‘departee’ is Craig - a UPS logistics expert and former Chicago Staff Band horn player. Craig has brought a level of professionalism to our operation that I have never been privileged to experience in any previous disaster programme. He's sneaking out tomorrow on the back of a cargo plane - but, shhh - it's a secret! Thanks, Craig, you will never be replaced and the mark you have made on our lives by your commitment, your servant nature and your sheer hard work. Bless you!