I think it was probably Sammy Davis Jnr that made famous the song 'the rhythm of life'. That phrase has been significant today. Ever since the earthquake relief programme started the team has been working flat out with no days off. I've been so proud of them - but 18 hour days, with hard physical labour were beginning to take their toll. On the basis that even God thought it was a good idea to rest on the 7th day (!) I gave the team the day off today.
John, Damaris and I needed to go to Jacmel and undertake a distribution so we knew we'd have to leave them behind enjoying a well-earned rest. As we prepared to leave at 6.30am others joined us at the breakfast table to catch up with email - so much for a lay-in, eh?
At 7am we drove to the compound to meet our driver and pick up the truck which had been loaded last night ready for an early start. We were taking 23,760 meals, 312 tents, 40 food storage boxes and 168 gallon jugs of water. We were heading for a small community in the mountains called Decouzes, about 20kms before Jacmel. Mike and Blais, our Jacmel team, had met with the village community leaders yesterday. They had been delighted to learn about the distribution and pledged to have everything organised for our arrival. Being a small community of about 500 families they said there was no need for security - their community committee and a couple of local police would handle things!
We escaped the city before the traffic got too busy - with me driving the team car trying to keep and eye on our truck with driver Sergio leading the way. The city opens up to a coast road then after an hour a left turn takes you up and into the high mountain pass.
It was as we entered this road that we all became aware of this 'rhythm of life' being acted out before our eyes. Homes are dotted few and far between, but families were already out - with small children dressed in their Sunday best dresses and coloured plaits - heading to Church for worship. Mothers carried Bibles on their heads, Fathers tucked theirs under their arm - but together they walked the steep hills to meet in fellowship with each other and commune with God. It was a wonderful reminder of this cycle of life which helps keeps our lives in good order. We thought of our families back home and prayed that they, too, would have a wonderful time of worship and praise.
After 2 hours driving we met Mike and Blais coming to greet us. Together we drove to the distribution point. It was already warm, even at altitude. Things seemed a bit chaotic but after a bit of preparation we started. It wasn't long before it wasn’t only the temperature that was hot - tempers caught up, too. After an hour we brought the distribution to a halt - fearing for the safety of those caught up in the melee. The committee, police, and some of our team retreated to the small village police station to draw up a new plan. Damaris and I stayed to guard the vehicles and the stock. Half and hour later they came back armed with ropes and a plan. The area was marked out, roped off and we started again. It worked for a while then things started getting out of hand and we had to close up again. We'd got about two thirds of the stuff out but there were many disappointed faces as we drove away. Fortunately we knew the remainder of the goods on the truck would be very welcome down at the corps in Jacmel - and they were indeed very pleased when we showed up an hour later to unload.
We eventually arrived back in Port au Prince at 6pm feeling that the day had been very worthwhile - if somewhat hot and challenging. We learned that there had been problems on the SA compound while we had been away. A truck had shown up to distribute small bags of water. It had been stormed and ransacked by an impatient mob. The 82nd has to be summoned to help but the mob had thankfully dispersed before they arrived. These events are all reminders to be grateful for the small successes that each day brings in a difficult operation.
As I write tonight's blog the American members of the team are over at the 82nd's base - watching the Superbowl on a large open-air screen. An annual event - and another verse in the 'rhythm of life'. A wonderful end to a great weekend and it all starts again tomorrow!
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