Today we tried to get out of Haiti ahead of Hurricane Tomas, but we didn't quite make it. The flight on which we were to return to the USA never left Miami to come get us. There were some complexities in getting in touch with the Guest House here to let then know that we had to return, but things worked out well. We are now safe back in the Methodist Guest House, in very good spirits. We'll ride out the rain and wind here tomorrow, and already have reservations of 6 November (our original return date) on AA 1908. It will be an interesting day, as all of our passports have already been stamped to show that we have left the country.
"No Mercy" refers to our oft repeated phrase as we struggled through an almost crushing phalanx of wanna-be porters with our luggage. It's a French/Creole term for "no thanks", but when expressed repeatedly in a Montana accent, it comes out as "no mercy!"
We were blessed by many in the airport who loaned us their cellphones to make connections here, and by the American Airlines staff who worked so hard to reschedule scores of passengers when the flight was cancelled and the airport was closed. It will be closed all day tomorrow because of the storm, too. Others in the airport were prepared to take us in with them had we failed to reach the Guest House. Angels were everywhere. A driver named Johnny found us in the airport at exactly the right time, just when we had received all of our previously checked luggage. He brought us safely through the dark to this sanctuary.
So far, it is only raining moderately hard, and the wind is mild. We hear that things are scheduled to get more exciting soon. The Guest House is crowded with many guests,as several teams have either been called in from the field or have not been able to go to their field site.
Thanks for your prayers! We are indeed safe and comfortable and cheerful.
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