Dear family and friends, (For some of you some of this information may be ‘old’ but I am unable to send each one a new update separately.)

Praise the Lord, I was able to talk with Tony last evening for a few minutes before the phone line went dead. Tony called me about an hour ago (at 0710 ) and we were able to talk for about 20 minutes. He is in good spirits but is exhausted. Last night was the first time he slept in his own bed. The apartment building is not damaged either, all the things like the blender, coffee machine, water filter container all stayed in their place on the counter! The gas line to the stove has a leak, so Tony can not cook in the house. He still has enough food for several weeks in the house. Haitian friends are now coming to him for money and food. If he continues to give it away, like I know he will, it will soon run out. Now you can buy some rice and food on the streets if you have money. He has about $450  in the house.  I will be able to wire money to him via Western Union when it is up and running. They will waive the usual fees for now.

When he ran out of the administration building when the quake hit, he was thrown against the wall and he scraped his elbow but was able to keep running down the hall. He said that today he will treat the wound on his elbow and put some antibiotic ointment on it The building did not sustain any damage, nor did any of the 7 buildings on the  school compound. Even the block wall around the school compound still stands. God protected the school and everyone in it. Many buildings all around the school are damaged and some have collapsed.

They will now use the school as a relief centre. Tony is coordinating all the activity on the school campus. Classes are cancelled indefinitely. There are many people sleeping on the soccer field and the playground. There is food in the two big freezers in the snack shop, that will last a short while. There is a well for water. They do have a generator and diesel fuel for a few weeks. The fuel tank in our diesel car is half full so Tony will not use the car unless absolutely necessary. One station was selling gas yesterday but then they ran out.

I will try to get a flight to Haiti as soon as the commercial airlines are allowed in to Port Au Prince again.  I will take food and medicine with me.

One of the main hotels, the Montana, collapsed and many are still trapped inside. Since all the buildings are made of concrete it is impossible to dig anyone out without heavy equipment.

Please continue to pray for the Haitian people, the missionaries and all the families that are affected by this catastrophe.

May God bless you richly,

Mary DeKoter

P.S. I am staying with Susan and Mark Dieleman for the time being. Susan’s home number, 519-354=2932, Our mailing address is: c/o Jeff DeKoter, 201 Victoria Ave, Chatham, Ontario

For those asking how they can donate, cheques can be sent to the above address made payable to Anthony or Mary DeKoter. All the funds collected will be used for food and medicine for the Haitian people.