Rain Fall

I awoke with a start in the early hours of this morning. First there was a pitter patter, faster and faster, and then a pelting. Oh, no!

Rain was falling. I immediately sent up a prayer. 'God, please make it stop.' Half a million people, maybe more are sleeping on the ground in the streets of Port-au-Prince and Petion-ville. Not to mention countless thousands who lie under tarpaulins in places like the football field on Thomassin 25, close to our orphanage.

Mercifully, within a few minutes, the rain stopped falling on our mountain community. Our Haitian Staff, though, tell me that Delmas was drenched in the down pour. Everyone; men, women, children, and tiny babies were soaked through. Many had only the clothes on their backs!

The spring rains will begin falling in April. In Haiti, the rainy season will not come softly. It will be torrential in its onslaught.

In the dead of night, the first rains since the earthquake roused hundreds of thousands of homeless Haitians. It was the rudest of awakenings; cities full of displaced people, scurrying for shelter. The streets were pitch black, and ankle deep with water in some places, washing debris into the paths of those who fled for shelter. Some were hurt as they blindly scampered in the dark.

When I think of the masses of humanity, scurrying, stunned and shivering, something inside me breaks. I have never, in all my life dreaded spring time. How many people will become ill from exposure to the elements, in a country where it is impossible for the people on the streets to find the most basic of medicines? Many will not find a Doctor or a clinic. Not an aspirin to bring down a fever. Not even a safe place to lay their heads. It is truly appalling.

I have never, in all my life dreaded springtime. Now, oh, how I wish the dry winter would persist a few more months.

God's Littlest Angels is collecting tents, blankets, wind up lanterns, water tight tubs and other relief supplies. These items will make a tremendous difference, to countless families who have lost their homes, and have no protection from the rains.

If you feel moved to help, please go to our website and find out how you can support our earthquake relief efforts.