The Waiting Game

After Tuesday's 7.0 earthquake leveled Port-au-Prince, Haiti; Rob got a call from USAR asking if he had a passport. He doesn't. He didn't think he would need one for Search & Rescue since he isn't on one of the two International Teams. A foreign call out wasn't a possibility.

Then came the call saying that even without a passport they might get sent in. He was to gather his gear and be ready. In the mean time, he was to bring all the information needed for a passport so they could get started expediting one so he could get out of Haiti once his deployment was over.

There was a spark in his eye as he prepared to go. Rob is one of those men that is willing to run into a situation to help, when others are running away. I truly believe it takes a special kind of person to be willing to do what the task force members do. He is itching to get down there to try to help those poor Haitians. I could hear the disappointment in his voice when he told me that he got a "stand down" order. Although he said things are changing so quickly, there is still a possibility that he could deploy. The main hang up is getting these rescuers into the country. They can't land at the airport because of there are so many planes in the way that don't have any fuel to get back out. GRRRR!

He got word last night saying they might deploy next week for a shortened tour. So for now we play the waiting game, which for a woman of little patience-this is driving me crazy not knowing! The gear he keeps at home is currently just sitting on our bed ready for the word "go".

Mom thinks I am crazy anyway for being willing to let him go. In her mind the disease and danger seem like too big of a risk. But like I said before, Rob runs to the rescue when so many won't. I know the Lord will protect him if he goes. I really hope he gets to go, he would be able to do so much good.

I'm proud when he puts on his dark blue gear adorned with his badges & big clunky boots. The team has amazing people on it and I am glad Rob is a part of that! If he does deploy the real test will be if I can survive the children without him. He may return to find them duct taped to the wall!