Journal 128, May 2005
No Rain in Gardon
It is hard to believe seven months ago floods killed over 3,000 people in the north of Haiti and for some of these same areas that was the last rain.
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Journal 127, March 2005
Where did April go?
We have just returned from a week in Cabarete
on the north coast of the Dominican Republic with
Carol's parents. Ron's favorite line from the
week - it's the same island!
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Journal 125, March 2005
It's Never Easy
On 21 March, 2005, we left Gonaives early in the morning for a 1 ˝ hour trip to Gros Morne. The plan was to go on to Gardon and visit the proposed site for the goat-breeding project funded by Swiss Solidarity. A part-time agriculturist has also been hired to start vegetables garden and reforestation projects.
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Journal 123, March 2005
Bethany Children's Home Christmas Report
Christmas is a very special time for children, a time for giving and receiving of gifts. Like children around the world, Haitian children look forward to this tradition.
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January 29, 2005, Journal 122
Dear Friends and Family:
We wait in anticipation with the rest of the world, praying that the Iraqi people are courageous to vote and continue building a stable world in which their children and grandchildren can thrive.
We pray that the generosity from around the world maintains its intensity as the relief efforts continue to rebuild and help Southeast Asia recover from the devastation and loss of life.
We hope that the initiatives strengthen to provide education and treatment for people impacted by the AIDS epidemic.
We yearn for peace around the world where political instability threatens life for so many and children die from disease and hunger.
Please pray for us that during difficult and turbulent days we remember all who suffer around the world.
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January 22, 2005, Journal 121
Dear Friends and Family:
Well…there is good news to report from the DHQ office this week. Electricity from the power lines was turned back on Friday. The government owned power company had cut all electricity to the neighborhood around DHQ last Thursday, 13 January and had police arresting anyone trying to repair it. Almost all the electricity in this area is stolen, but The Salvation Army pays their bills monthly, electricity or no – and probably for most of the rest of the neighborhood as well.
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January 2005, Journal 120
We're back!!!!!!!!!!!!
Actually, we have been back in Haiti since 4 January, but Carol smashed her hand in the rolling gate into our home and was unable to prepare the journal last week, not that Ron couldn't do it himself but he was taking care of her.
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December 2004, Journal 119
Hope For the Future
Actually, we have been back in Haiti since 4 January, but Carol smashed her hand in the rolling gate into our home and was unable to prepare the journal last week, not that Ron couldn't do it himself but he was taking care of her.
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November 2004, Journal 118, Major Ronald Busroe:
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.
While we were waiting for the plane to arrive, Carol called to tell us UN troops had stormed into the compound...
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November 2004, Journal 114, Major Ronald Busroe:
Many Want To Help
It is easy to feel overwhelmed by some of the problems facing Haiti these days. 25 – 29 October has been a particularly difficult week.
• Monday, 25 October, about 150 of the 700 children enrolled at College Verena came to school. After being closed for 3 weeks this was a possible step toward normalcy.
• Unfortunately, on Tuesday, 26 October, a small group of armed men came to the school and advised the director that since the community had called a strike it was necessary for the school to close. The children were sent home. No threats were made at DHQ or the clinic, but for the safety of the employees it was advisable to close until Friday as well.
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October 2004, Journal 113, Major Ronald Busroe:
It's Not Impossible
Over the past few weeks much has been written about the most recent crisis in Haiti. Natural disasters combined with political insecurity have made for a terrible situation in which to live and work. One writer has said helping Haiti is not impossible it just seems that way sometimes.
A dear friend recently remarked about the positive reports we give each week. While we do remain positive and hopeful, these past three weeks in Port au Prince have been a challenge.
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October 2004, Journal 111, Major Ronald Busroe:
More Reports Of Destruction
The first week in October 2004 brought more reports of the destruction from Hurricane Jeanne in Haiti. Three weeks after the storm some communities are only now being reached by relief workers.
MOULIN - Captain Jesuis Leandre from Moulin reported:
• Many homes have been destroyed in the community, including the home of the school director and two of the teachers.
• One family in the church, a mother and four children perished in the flood.
• Many school children lost their uniforms and books.
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September 2004, Journal 110, Major Ronald Busroe:
Relief Effort In Gonaives
On 25 September 2004, Major Ron Busroe, Captain Minel Pierre Fils (DYS) and Alinx Jean-Baptiste of Kindernoltife traveled by car to Gonaives. Just before reaching the city a large section of the National Highway #1 is covered by water, creating a large lake. It requires a guide to lead the way and the trip takes about 20 minutes.
News reports speak of Gonaives as a lawless, out-of-control city. We witnessed several truck hijackings, violence, and people selling disaster supplies they had stolen, but we also witnessed the true spirit of the majority of the Haitian people as they cared for each other.
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September 2004, Journal 109, Major Ronald Busroe:
God's Protection
When they arrived in Gonaives they were told the road was blocked because of rain and flooding so they stopped at Chachou Hotel. The candidate didn’t have his key to the quarters/outpost building so the Lamartiniere’s suggested he stay with them until the rain stopped.
As they watched from the second floor room the water began to rise in the street, then in the hotel parking lot. Before dark they could no longer see the Isuzu Trooper they were driving and the water was all the way up to the second floor of the hotel. Outside they could hear the screams of people who were being washed away by the torrential floods coming down from the hills around Gonaives.
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