We have had so many emails asking about Haiti. Thanks for your concern. We are fine We are glued to the TV every chance we get to hear the latest. Our island is about 80 miles from Haiti. Most of the members of our branch are from Haiti and have family that live there. Most communication is down and they are all worried. Mada (our dear new convert) is concerned about her husband who is visiting family and friends in Haiti. It is so hard for us to understand why people who are soooo poor now have this new disaster to overcome.
I know there will be great relief efforts . I looked up the church web page and found that they have help on the way as well. But there are so many trapped and such poor systems in place to handle the problems. The infrastructure, even before the earthquake, was very poor. Haiti is the poorest country in the Western Hemisphere. Please pray for those who are hurting.
I talked to our mission office today. They said 1. No missionaries were killed. 2. Several members are among the dead. 3. No chapels were damaged. (That says a lot for how they are built).
The elders went with us today and we visited the bight (where many Haitians live here). We talked with many. They are all upset because they can not call family. Many are talking about going home to Haiti to help. Today the airport in Haiti was down and so no one could go. So many have wives and children there. Everyone is so sad. Tonight we are taking our computer and letting people try to contact family on Skype. I wish there was more we can do. Just for your information, if you go to the church web page," lds.org" and go to "news and events", then "Newsroom", there is a place you can donate if you would like. The thing I love about donating to the church is that there is NO OVERHEAD. All the money goes directly to those who need help.
Was so impressed Sunday. There is this lady who had a new baby. She has not been to church for several weeks because she does not have a ride. They have very little money and she does not like to take her baby in a jitney (illegal taxi used here) because she does not feel safe. Anyway she got a jitney and brought her baby and came to church. I figured out a rough estimate of what she makes per hour and what I made last year per hour. If she was paid a comparable wage, I figure it cost her over $100.00 to come to church. I wonder if I would make the sacrifice that many do here. I love them for their example and sacrifice.
We love you all.
Elder and Sister Herbert
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