Although it didn’t make any headlines here, there were several earthquakes in Haiti the evening of October 6th and 7th. The one on the 6th was a 5.9, and two on the 7th, ranging from 5.2 to 4.2, both very strong themselves. I can very easily remember the “aftershocks” after the earthquake in 2010 and remember how they felt; with the memory of the 7.0 on the day before, anything was frightening.
All were in the far north, so it didn’t affect us or our villages directly, but it surely did indirectly. All of Beaubrun’s family lives there, as does some of the family of two of our teachers in his school. Beaubrun’s mother’s house and that of one of his brothers were destroyed. The teacher’s family’s homes were badly damaged but fixable. Fortunately, they weren’t injured, although there were several people killed, and at last count over 200 with injuries from minor to serious.
Naturally this has brought back bad memories for people in the Port Au Prince area, especially kids who survived the 2010 quake. Schools are feeling the effects of it because kids are afraid to go in them. Most are afraid to even sleep in their homes. Even though the government said after that quake that building codes and guidelines would be put in place to prevent shortcuts in building houses, pretty much no one goes by them and most can’t afford to.
The pictures are of the neighborhood where Beaubrun’s mother lives and a local school. Since the earthquake happened at night no one was there, thankfully.
For us, we are approaching the month of Thanksgiving. Terry and I have much to be thankful for: all of you, your prayers and help with Terry, and for your prayers and help for our friends in Haiti. Please remember the kids affected by this in Haiti and what they are going through.
We hope all of you have a great Thanksgiving!
