Haitian luger?

[BogeyB]

John,

I don't cry often, but...

Mike

[John D.]

Hi Mike,

i know you weren't alone... My thanks.. As well...

Apparently there are a number of copies of this thread in the various forums and sites, so I apologize to all of you is you have read this post in one of those threads as well... You see....

I just came home from work - and while I'm trying to prepare to get into Haiti as part of a rescue, if we get clearance, I wanted to say this...

You folks - all of you - are amazing. I am humbled, speechless - and a lot more than a little proud to be your voice to so many in Haiti who have no voice. In short - what we are trying to do - and will do - is actually "adopt" a hospital for the next few weeks and give the children, men & women (I believe there are about 1500 in dire medical need at that hospital as I write this) - the medicine they require, food, water - and most importantly - simply *hope* that we - or rather YOU - have not forgotten nor forsaken them... I don't really know anymore the right words to say. I do know that those in Haiti do not have the right words, either - to express to all of you their thanks. If you doubt that - please read Adrien's e-mail posted earlier, OK?

As well - on to the "nut-and-bolts"...

In the past 28 hours - Rennwish has raised approximately $23,000 for this effort alone. The prelimary figures are:

$14,267 - PayPal
$8,100 - Committed as "checks in the mail";
$700 - eChecks not cleared but in process

I shake my head in disbelief, because - just like you - I find it amazing that so many could care so much...

And we have just started on attacking that $75,000 goal. I know - we will "just get it done" - as you and Rennwish has so often in the past...

To the number of folks that asked if they could defray the PayPal processing expenses, my thanks - but the answer is "no". It's been our "mantra" that if you give "$1" - then "$1" goes to that Rennwish Program. Jen and I have traditionally offset any PayPal or wire transfer or bank expenses from our end. We will continue to do so - as I made that guarantee that your "$1" reaches the children and the people intact and in full. It's what we do and will continue to do...

A few have asked how we intend to get the funds into Haiti to acquire the supplies, etc... That's easy... We need to get some funds immediately into those purchasing the medical supplies - so they can get them into the hands of the hospital and the folks. So, we'll send enough via instant wire services to make the initial purchases for the first few days. At the same time - we will bank-wire direct into the Haitian financial banks the major portion of your funds, but it typically takes those funds about 4-5 days to clear within Haiti.

So - in short - we'll start getting your supplies into Haiti as a trickle, while the major banks clear the majority of the assets - which will insure the funds, medicine, food and necessities of life continue to flow... This is all being done from "within Haiti" itself...

Finally - here and an edited private e-mail I sent to a contributor, who was worried if he'd done enough...

....Honestly? I am so overwhelmed by you and others - I am speechless... Since the earthquake - in private - I've been a mess. I've lost some "friends" - and given the situation, have felt like "what can we really do?" - which pales in comparison to all the International Aid, syndicated charities, etc... But then - as I got in contact with my folks (like Adrien and Marc), knew that there was so much to do...

All we want to do is get aide to the people who need it... One person to one person....

Giving an entire hospital - which has been forsaken so far - medicine, supplies, food, water, - HOPE - is what we do best. In fact -- it is what "we do"...

That "we" is you and the folks who have contributed - have done. It's "person to person". That's personal. That is you.

You made a huge difference - simply by choosing to care....

So, my thanks.... My "job" is easy... My "job" is to ensure that $1.00 donated goes to $1.00 of aid. No newspaper articles. And no clips on major network TV news... No pictures.... No pat on the backs....

Just simply - people-to-people.

My thanks for that,

John

[lugerholsterrepair]

John, Do you know if you can get into Haiti?

Jerry Burney

[lugerholsterrepair]

I have had an amazing response to this not only from Forum Members but surprisingly from Family and Friends. I sent this out to everyone in my address book...I have had people I have not heard from in months write in and say they had been looking for a good way to donate. This is it and I have seen them donate many hundreds.

These are people who have never seen the Luger Forum. Or ever will.

I want to ask those of you who will step up..write a little something, copy paste some of what the Orphanage is all about and fire it off to EVERYONE in your address book. You will do your Friends a favor..I tell you they WANT to donate but just don't know a good charity.

Camon fellows, John still needs our help. People/fellow human beings are still hurting and hungry. John and a couple of bucks from you are what will ease their burden.

Many thanks for those who have given already.

Jerry Burney

[John D.]

Hi Jerry and all..!!

Jerry - THANK YOU!!! I know I sound like a broken record - but...

As Jerry mentioned - Rennwish has had many donations from friends of Jerry's and Ellie's simply because they helped get the word out.. Every dollar right now is critical - as all you know... A few have asked what more than can do aside from donate - and that's simply help us "network" out to our friends...

As an aside, it appears that the local article about Rennwish was picked up by AP - and then this AM, Rennwish and all of yo had a mention on the air on a CNN broadcast..? I didn't see it - but, a few questioning e-mails I get are do we have some "staff" (no) - or do we take a percentage (no) - or the "nuts and bolts" as to whether we are a 501c3 (and an EIN, articles, etc.) (YES!)..

Anyway - I'll update totals later, but here is the situation in Les Cayes. I had the chance to finally get through to Adrien last evening via phone (and I snuck in a brief conversation with Shasha - one of the young girls in our care)...

Critical needs: Medicine, food and fuel. Without fuel, there is no electricity. No electricity means the banks and transfer stations don't open. No banks means no money. No money means that basic can't be acquired...

So - I was supposed to hop a flight Sunday with a Military/tech Search and Rescue - BUT - that deployment is delayed.. So - I'm looking at any and all alternatives - and hope to have an update later.. If anyone has any suggestions - please post, OK?? If I can get down there - I can acquire what the 1500 at the two hospitals need - including food and medicine.

Anyway - I've also been asked to escort another rescue mission - so that may be an option - but that's too late this week..? I'll pay my own way - and assist whatever group that needs a hand acclimating to Haiti...

Anyway - just thank you.... Please, let's keep this rolling, OK??

Jerry - and all - my best always,

John

[John D.]

I have NOT posted this before, but.... As of a few minutes ago....

We got the first money INTO Les Cayes early this morning - and I'm walking a bit of a tightrope. You see - if I send too much, it won't be distributed, as available money in Cayes from the banks and the wire transfer agencies are in short supply (yes - I mean that..).. When they "run out of money" - they close. So - if we send too much - it won't be distributed. If we send to little, it won't do much at all given the prices of food, medicine and fuel (in fact - you can't buy fuel today)...

Anyway - today, we have our first first small victory for those in Les Cayes. Today, we were able to get some money there, and have started purchasing and distributing medicine and food and those much needed goods will be distributed to:

• - one of the local hospitals;
• - a village that is hosting many refugees from PAP which is now out of food; and
• - and a smaller orphanage outside Les Cayes that is in dire need.

We are fortunate, as many "non-profits" are still struggling to get any money "in country". We have done so - and we will continue to do so.

While it is one small step - we are indeed moving forward.

My thanks to all of you...

John.

[Edward Tinker]

On the news a few minutes ago, Cooper Hospital (a local hospital) is flying down on a private plane; they will operate out of a border town (Humanee ?? in the Domican Republic).


Ed

[lugerholsterrepair]

Ed, That is good news! I am afraid the powers that are distributing... need to quicken the pace. John was right..get what's available incountry. Those people need help and now. Hunger is a terrible thing..if you ever wonder why..don't eat anything for just 48 hours. If that's too much just try 24. I pray that Americans never have to find out like the Hatians have.
If you can spare ten bucks or a little more for John's orphanage..send it now.

Jerry Burney

[Edward Tinker]

I always feel like they move too slow, its just that a juggernaut takes a long time in moving. I saw the 82nd Airborne dropping supplies for folks further out and that did my heart some good.

I am hoping from this horrible calamity that maybe they will get built up; but coruption and a poor gov't has held them back before, maybe with the worlds eyes on them; things will get better.


Ed

[John D.]

I've said it before - and I'll keep saying it - thank you.....

As well - if you have contributed to this program and I have your e-mail - you should have gotten a "semi-personal" thank you..?? What's "semi-personal"??? Well - it was an e-mail sent out to over 200 folks who have contributed... I'm a little humbled by all of you... I always have been - and I always will be...

For that - it gives me great pleasure to make public our first "press release".. It was edited and authored by many of you - and requested by many more... If you would like - feel free to use it and distribute it as you will.. This success is not to my credit - but rather - to yours collectively....

In short - we have reached nearly 50% of our goal of $75,000 since last Friday afternoon.... And while we still have a long road ahead - we can - no rather, we will do this....

Here is that press release..... (<--- Click there if you want to read it...)...

My sincerest thanks,

Always,

John

[John D.]

I just wanted to post a quick, new thread and say "Thank You" to many - many of you here for your support, encouragement and advice as we just try to "get it done" in Haiti.

To that end, I was working on the preliminary financial info last evening and this AM in preparation for departing for Haiti. So - below is a copy and paste out of my spreadsheet.. Before I post them below....

I also want to say thank you.. To all of you... I know we can keep the momentum going - so we will with all of your help... As well, while a few have privately asked that I stay in the USA, rather then travel to Haiti - unfortunately - we need to make some difficult decisions regarding tens of hundreds new orphans and seriously injured children in the next week who, as I write this - are streaming into Les Cayes - the base of all our projects.

I can't make those decisions while in the US - they have to be made "on-site" at our orphanages, schools and projects - with the people. But - while I'm in Haiti, please don't be surprised if we make some commitments to do some things in an accelerated fashion, which I'll ask one of the Rennwish volunteers (JoAnne) to post on the Rennwish Facebook page <--- link.

For any new programs and projects - I know - together - we'll excel at anything we set our minds and hearts to...


OK - how the road to $75,000 looks this AM:
++++++++++++++++++++

Total PayPal Receipts - $27,973.36
Total Check Deposits: - $8,055.00
Total Cash Deposits: - $20.00

Actual Receipts - 1/12/10-1/23/10 - $36,048.36

Total Checks Committed - En Route: - $11,150.00

Total Actual and Committed Funds - $47,198.36

1-11-2010 through 1-23-2010 Donations
Total Donations - Via Paypal - 285
Total Donations - Via Checks - 19
Total Donations - Via Cash - 1

Total Number of Donations - 305

My Best to all!

John

[John D.]

Hi folks,

Really quickly as I'm trying to get a few things completed before I leave. The arrangements are to arrive in the DR - and then take a couple of options - I may have a flight into Cayes from a wonderful Pastor, if we can link up. The other option is drive to Cayes. If it's the latter, then I won't get there until late tomorrow night is my guess.. As well...

I spoke to Adrien earlier today. Les Cayes has had a few flights and some relief - but, the hospitals are still in dire need for basics and it is still has a very long way to go. While I'll be taking down a huge bag of supplies - my guess is that it will be like a "raindrop" hitting the ocean.... But - know for that - with you - if we can help only a few hundred with temporary supplies - it will be well worth it...

Food is still a critical item - and we have expanded our support there to include Pastor Andre's orphanage and facilities - Andre is another I can "call my brother", as his orphanage has been his life-long passion and dream. We are honored to be called to assist him with his dream - which is simply, as is our combined passion - is to do whatever we can to make a difference.

As well, in the villages, hospitals and other orphanages - refugees and "newly created" orphans from the disaster are still streaming in... While I'm there, we'll be discussing some options with Pastor Vilnor perhaps using the two stories of the school for temporary shelter/refuge for some of these children -until we can develop a better long-term plan.

So - in closing - simply - thank you - again. Not from me really - but rather - thank you from the hundreds and thousands who we hope to assist in some small way.

You have given them a voice - and more importantly - you have given them a little sliver of hope.

I'm personally honored to be your ambassador and your "face" to so many children, women and men in this program. So, my personal thanks for that privilege...

John

(In private - feel free to copy this into the other threads - as I don't think I'll have time for a while... Thank you!)

[Jack Lawman]

From the Pwoje Espwa blog http://pwojeespwa.blogspot.com/:

Friday, January 29, 2010
Update Day 17B
Our medical team had a busy day today. The ortho folks worked on 16 badly injured patients, Dokte Cynthia helped out in pediatrics again and transported a 76 y/o lady with a broken pelvis to Hopital Brenda where a Brazilian medical team was waiting. Linda and Dokte C. met an airplane that flew in from CA with meds, supplies and food. A friend, John Dunkle, came in today and brought some walkie-talkies (thank you, John) and some some very much appreciated cash. The bank says that transfers should be able to get through tomorrow. That would be WONDERFUL!

[John D.]

Hi From Haiti...

I'll try to post this while I have both an Internet connection and electricity... First of all - the children and people would like to thank all of you for your support, encourgement and wonderful well-wishes...

Over the past days - much of the time has been spent securing food, delivering medicine and trying to make some order.. Things in Les Cayes are in dis-array, as I've never seen the city and villages so overcrowded with refugees from PaP.. People are arriving without friends and family - and the already short food supply is being more of concern as many from PaP have been told that there is food available down in this area...

For that - I want to take a minute and thank the many private pilots who have kept Les Cayes on a "shoe-string" of medicine, food and basics. Most are from the USA that I've worked with - but it really is a global effort..

For our efforts - Pastor Andre's orphange is fine.. We will have enough food to last for a bit, and as well - assist some of the children and refugees from PaP alongside Pastor Vilnor's school - attending to newly made refugees and senior citizens who are doing without... It's heartbreaking on one side - and inspiring on another...

At the orphanage - Adrien and myself are trying to get things back on track quickly. I set the task that 15 large, deep holes in the front yeard were to be filled (by hand - using rocks, a wheelbarrow, a pick, shovel and machete) - AND with dozens of the older children.. Two days later - the holes are almost filled!! It's amazing what these little guys are capable of... Next on the agenda is to create a garden - and have the children grow and care for it. In the meantime - I think it's our task to ensure that they have the basics and prepare the orphanage for more orphans from PaP in the near future..

Another bit of good news is that tomorrow, we've been assurred that a Pilot will be bringing in a plane load of food for the orphans - and for as much as we can assist those streaming in from PaP. I'm not certain of how much to expect - but - I do know it will be more than we have now and can be used immediately for many in dire need...

Medical supplies... I would like to thank Meg DesFosses and a friend of hers for kick-starting the purchase of much, much needed medical supplies... We delivered those a few days ago - and if you could see the clinic at the hospital and the wards - you'd understand how much these victims have endured without anything. I want to also send on the thanks of Dr. Moses and his staff to all of you. Fifty - 80 pounds of topical antibiotics, bandages, gauze, etc. - were well recieved - and much needed, as when we arrived, those meager stocks had been depleted. Today, we visited that same hospital again - the doctors and nurses look a bit haggard...

The school is fine - and we toured that today.. Pastor Vilnor is as upbeat as ever, and has dedicated some of our funds for those arriving in the village from PaP and again, the children and senior citizens.. Our thoughts and prayers go with him...

On a personal note.. I can not really describe PaP, nor all I saw. I can't really write the words to make all of you "see" all I have seen over here. When I get home - I'll let some pictures do that for me - not so much of the tradegy, but rather pictures which hopefully inspire all of us to not only keep our current efforts going, but more importantly - be able to expand them...

Tomorrow - I need to meet the plane with our food, deliver it to our children, the mothers who are caring for our kids, the village, etc... I hope to have some time to also visit with Pwoje Espwa - as Marc and his staff are fighting their own battles to get as much to as many - in a hearbeat...

Again - simply - thank all of you... Your support and contributions have been awe inspiring... And as well - somehow - I know we are just beginning - so the "tough work" is still in the future...

From Les Cayes, Haiti,

John
(BTW - sorry if this is a ramble.. there is so much to say - and so many words... And - I'm trying to write it before the electricy and/or internet goes away - typically both...)

[John D.]

I've been asked to take pictures and videos of what it was like last week in Haiti, and since I'm just home - I'm still getting caught up. Anyway - so - I did take videos and stuff. The link below is BIG (115 MB!) but -most of the pictures and video I took last week and threw this together. It is "my world" in Haiti - and if you have supported Project Rennwish - it is indeed, your world as well... My thanks for your support, well wishes and well, you know...

Here is that LINK (<--RIGHT click there) and try saving the link to your computer.. It is NOT finished - and only work in progress, but for those who want to see what Haiti is like - it might be interesting (it is a WMV file type)..

As well - I updated the Project Rennwish site for the orphanage and our kids in the Family to Foster program and stuff...

My Best Always,

John

[Edward Tinker]

John, the devastation we have seen on TV is horrendous; and is slowly slipping from the TV, more interesting things I am sure

I think what you are doing is helping a lot. I heard that many folks have trouble because they don't know the "land" or the lingo and you know both; so I am sure you have made a hell of a difference, bless you for it my friend.

Not sure how I can help on this end, but if you need me to do something?


ed

[John D.]

I'm finally home again from Haiti - two one and a half week trips in a month? I guess I've spent more time in Haiti in the last month then I have at home? Anyway - I am amazed, discouraged and frankly very disillusioned about what is happening in Haiti. If folks knew the story from inside Haiti, and from the view of the Haitians - you would feel as I do..

On a positive note however - I took a while to create a Gallery from the village we fed - Bomachan. Again, this village of about 1500 children, men and women has no water, no electricity, no food, no school, no doctor, no nurse, no hope and to illustrate this - people walk for about one mile each way to fill their buckets with water - twice a day - to a well that has water. As well - twice a week some walk to the "market" which is about 10 miles (each way) to try to buy whatever they can to exist.

Next Tuesday, I have a Haitian well digger going into this remote village to asses what it will take to fix their well and pump, which failed in 2003. I'll add it to the Rennwish Project Pages in a day or two. In the meantime - these links are for the picture gallery I set up. When you see the pictures, you will see complete and utter desperation and the blank stares of harrowed human beings living in absolute poverty inside a poverty stricken country.

Later in the album - when Adrein and I showed up with more food two days later - you will also see some of those blank looks have started to become feint smiles - as people began to believe that someone cared about their fate... Those of you who have supported Rennwish are responsible for those traces of smiles - as we are just starting to reinvigorate their hopes and lives...

The slide show: -> http://reutterwerk.com/gallery2/main...2_itemId=15637

The Main Gallery: -> http://reutterwerk.com/gallery2/main...i2010/bomachan

John