Anthony Hostetler, and his wife Julie, live in Haiti, where they are involved in programs offered by the Christian Aid Ministries. Their home was damaged in last week's earthquake, but they were able to get word out to family in Rock Stream that they were uninjured.

They had thought about having dinner at the Montana Hotel last Tuesday evening, but changed their plans. Had they gone to the hotel, this might be a different story, as many people, including at least two American Methodist missionary workers perished when the structure collapsed.

Over the past week, the couple has been able to send periodically messages via email. In one message late last week, Anthony told about paying $75 for 10 gallons of gasoline one day, and then sending a man out to buy diesel fuel the next day with $125. The man came back empty-handed - he had been robbed.

The Hostetlers are sharing food as much as they can with others.

Julie, who is expecting their first baby in four weeks, was able to see her doctor late last week and has learned the clinic where she plans to deliver the baby is still open.

Anthony sent this email message on Tuesday, Jan. 19.

Thank you for your interest in the situation in Haiti. We live to the northeast of Port au Prince in the Croix des Bouquet area. We do not have the destruction here that took place in the downtown section of Port au Prince. Most of the media focus on the looting has been in the downtown area.

Haiti did not have much infrastructure before the earthquake, however, much of what it had has been destroyed. For example, the container unloading facilities have been heavily damaged, which make it difficult to bring aid into the country. So now, most of it is being airlifted into the airport, which is severely congested because there is only one runway and there is not much area for the aircraft to park.

There seems to be some aid coming through the border from the Dominican Republic, but not enough.

Here are some of the challenges that we  are facing.

~ Shortages of essential items such fuel and basic food items. Many businesses are closed such as banks and gas stations.

~ Another thing that will take a lot of aid rebuilding and repairing all the structures that have been damaged. Many houses that are standing are heavily damaged and unsafe to use.

Our neighborhood has been fairly peaceful. We do not have the looting going here like has been happening in downtown. Many people have headed for the country, away from the city. We have not sensed that our neighbors have ill intentions against us.

I hope this gives you a little peek into our live =), we are thankful for God's protection during this time. Thank you and have a good day, Sincerely, Anthony Hostetler