Journal 118
November 2004
Not a Good Week
This has not been a good week. It had
nothing to do with the fact that we had auditors in
town. When you serve a long way from home, everybody…even
visits from auditors are welcome.
The week began with a truly unbelievable incident.
On Monday, 15 November 2004, at 1:15 PM, Ron went to
lunch with Major Richard Gulley, territorial secretary
for business. They had planed to leave earlier but had
to wait because of gun battles in the area.. Major Gulley’s
wife and Joe Lynch were arriving by plane from Miami
at 2:30 PM. Carol had gone home earlier in the day to
re-cooperate.
Barricades in street in front of DHQ
While we were waiting for the plane to arrive, Carol
called to tell us UN troops had stormed into the compound,
past Captain Denise Daigle and then past Steve Diaz.
Both administrators told the troops this was private
property and they had no right to come in. The troops
responded, they could go anywhere they wanted.
UN Troops vehicle
They went to the roof of the children’s home
where they began shooting at a gang that had taken up
a position behind our compound and across the soccer
field. With over 30 small children lying on the floor,
the UN troops proceeded to fire hundred of rounds from
automatic weapons from the children’s home roof.
The children were screaming – one actually went
into shock during the incident.
All the divisional staff could do was watch from the
office in the next compound, unable to leave because
of the gunfire.
After driving the Gulley’s to the hotel, Ron
went to the Brazilian UN compound to demand the troops
leave. After meeting with several officers, they assured
him the troops would be leaving soon. They finally left
two hours after entering the compound.
UN Troops leaving compound
The safety of the children during the incident was
our main concern, but maintaining the delicate relationship
we have with our neighborhood gang is also important.
Although the UN troops were not shooting at the local
gang they were in our neighborhood and the immediate
impression was we invited them.
The corps officer met with leaders of the neighborhood
to assure them all this was done against our will. Fortunately,
a couple of neighbors were in the compound when the
incident began and have shared what they saw with their
friends.
The DHQ office was closed on Tuesday because of continued
unrest. On Wednesday, two or our three administrative
employees resigned stating it was too dangerous for
them to come to work. On Thursday, the office was closed
again because it was a national holiday and there were
demonstrations in the city.
Finally, on Friday the audit was finished and we started
to regroup and look for new employees.
Order of the Founder Recipients who sheved in Haiti
- Major Rosemarie Haefeli, Major Anne Kristine Herje
and Major Emma Zimmermann
Continue to pray for the situation in Haiti.
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