Phone Call

Garrett was able to call tonight and send some photos. He was very tired and was trying to get to bed so we did not talk long. They had only had a about 3 hours of sleep the night before. I will do my best to try and retell most of what he said...

They are camping approximately 3-4 miles from airport with the 82nd airborne and another international relief group. He is sharing a tent with a former LDS missionary who served in Haiti years ago; he is now a neurosurgeon and has been wonderful to help Garrett with his creole. Their tent is tiny and in Garrett's words..."i am practically spooning my tentmate"

Transportation is difficult. The local Bishop of one of the LDS wards is assisting with transporting them. In order to get to the airport to assist with the orphans leaving on the plane they had to stuff as many people/children in cars as they could. He rode in the back of a truck with an open tailgate. Because the city is so torn apart there are no roads. The few roads that still exist are covered with people because there is no where for them to go. It takes a very long time to get anywhere.

The 125 orphans were supposed to depart last night as soon as the plane landed. However, there were hold-ups with the Haitian Government. The pilots and flight crew agreed to stay until they had a full plane. Senator Hatch was instrumental in getting them out. But, they only ended up taking 66.

When Garrett arrived at the airport, all of the orphans that were supposed to go were sitting on the runway in the hot sun and still waiting for the government to release them. They divided them up between the teams and basically babysat them for 3 hours. Finally, those that got to go, went. There was an 11-year old boy whose 2 siblings were on the plane that was left behind and was sobbing. Garrett and others did their best to comfort him. But, he knew what was going on.

They then loaded the most of the remaining orphans (including Fara and the boy) up on what vehicles they had and drove through the city to return them to the orphanage, or what is left of it. Garrett said the city was beyond words. When they arrived, they dropped them and left. The children were all crying and horribly upset. The orphanage consisted of a small fence and a make-shift shelter. There were 2 adults for about 35 very sad kids.

Tomorrow they are going to divide up and focus on medical help inside the city and attempt to construct a better shelter at one of the orphanages. Garrett will be translating for the doctors on his team.