While Hinche and the orphanage were not damaged (physically) by the quake or any of the many aftershocks, the effects have still been tremendous and will most likely be long term. They have felt the ground rumble and then heard over and over from the refugees arriving in Hinche about the devastation in Port-Au-Prince. Many have lost friends or family.

Over the past week, I have read and answered hundreds of emails that have come in offering support, prayer or seeking information. During this time two questions that I frequently see are ... Was any one at the orphanage hurt? ... How are things at the orphanage ...in Hinche? The answer to the first is 'no' , No one at the orphanage was hurt. Again while the quake was felt, the center was far enough away to spare them damage or injury. How are things at the orphanage and in Hinche? I guess the best way to answer that one is with an excerpt from a message received from Jean-Louis Lefort, The Founder and Director of Maison Fortune Orphanage and a resident of Hinche when he was asked that very question.

"Every one is leaving Port-au-Prince to go to any province they can get too. Some have been in PAP for so long they just belong there They know no other place. We have many like those now in Hinche added to people from Hinche who were living in PAP. the city is packed I mean Hinche. People are complaining their houses are full with relatives that were in PAP They have no means to feed them. The local hospital is full with victims who came for help. I have seen Handicaped , Paralized people, people who lost both arms or both feet some you cannot even look at them. some lost both. The post earthquake trauma is another problem. No one wants to sleep inside they think there can be another earthquake any time. some says they will never sleep inside concrete builings. I heard Wedgy, my son comment with another boy about his age; he asked if the boy's house is thin roof or concrete, he is a little traumatized. He won't sleep by himself. This morning every one in Hinche was up by 5:30 because all the buildings were shaking because of this 6.1 earthquake that shook the country again. They are talking about 100 thousands deaths, a lot of them were put in dump truck to be dumped in big hole together. Over all the situation is really traumatizing for even us who were not in PAP."

Please keep all of the people of Haiti, Those that have arrived to help and their families in your prayers.