Of all the countries to get pummeled by a major earthquake I can't think of many less prepared to deal with it than Haiti.  Of course there are other Third-World countries out there, but because of Haiti's proximity to the eastern U.S. those of us who live here in NC are more likely to know someone who has been there or is involved with a group doing work there than elsewhere.

In the last hour I've received two emails from people who have friends or acquaintances in Haiti.  One came from friend (and former neighbor) Susan Ewing, who has a very close friend, Pam Carter, currently in Haiti and she asked for all of us to pray for Pam.  Luckily Pam is okay and she was able to get an email out to her husband and daughters to let them know that she's fine.  Here's an article in the Charlotte Observer with more details. Of course things can go from "okay" to "very bad" in short order so please do keep Pam and everyone else in Haiti in your prayers.

The second email came from Bob Krebs, a board member of the organization I work for who is also heavily involved with Free the Kids.  Free the Kids supports an orphanage about three hours from Port au Prince and Bob wrote that the orphanage was okay, that much of Port au Prince is demolished and that food and water are quickly becoming a problem and since the orphanage's food supplies come from Port au Prince they do not yet have a solution for the food problem.

Another local connection to Haiti is Susan Midgett who raised $100,000 for the orphanage by doing the Escape from Alcatraz Sharkfest swim last year.  Hers is truly an inspirational story and I encourage you to take a look at the difference that one person made in the lives of literally thousands of children.

I'm sure there are many more local connections to this tragedy, and while it doesn't make the situation any more or less tragic I think it does help us appreciate the magnitude of what is unfolding down there.  If you know of ways that people can help please feel free to share them in the comments or by emailing me and I'll try and get the word out as best I can.

Update 1: Gotta love Twitter.  Just found this : Text HAITI to 90999 and $10 will be charged to your cell phone bill for the Red Cross effort in Haiti (via @barackobama )