Yesterday morning I headed from St. Marc into Port Au Prince to work at the rescue tent YWAM has set up across the street from the Presidential palace. Driving down there is still so surreal. It is hard to find images of the damage on the Internet or on the news as it has been over 3 weeks since the earthquake, but I assure you that things are still horrible. There is still rubble everywhere, firefighters are pouring diesel fuel in the wreckage and lighting it to prevent the smell of the dead (only in certain areas) and 1000’s upon 1000’s are living in make shift tents scattered in parks across the city.
2 day’s after the earthquake, Ome, a girl from the Dominican Republic saw a place of refuge in a dream. She rolled over to Port Au Prince, found the place and started treating people using water to wash out wounds and bed sheets to tie them off. Today there are approx. 100 volunteers, the Haitian SWAT team to provide security and dozens of doctors and nurses running a make shift clinic out of the police station across the street to treat the sick. There are two pediatric centers, a general operating center a kitchen to feed all the volunteers and sleeping centers (everyone is sleeping in tents). Outside of the clinic are 1000’s of tents where Haitians have set up homes after loosing theirs in the disaster.
In the 24 hours that I was there a baby was born, a deaf lady received her hearing back and started talking English (just kidding about the English part), a person had their toe sewn back on, a baby who was brought in not breathing was healed when prayed over and the lady who received her hearing had a demon cast out of her, gave her life to Jesus and burned her voodoo necklace. Sounds like something I read once in the Bible. This morning I also watched the doctors treat a woman who lost her toe, give medication to a lady who had her foot crushed and saw our friend Peterson praying for a girl who had lost her right are in the quake. I am sure that this is just another day in Haiti since the earthquake 3 weeks ago, crazy.
I slept on the roof of a 2 story concrete building along with 30 other people in tents and on the ground. The building was surrounded by other concrete buildings that had collapsed in the earthquake so the thought of falling to my death in another quake crossed my mind, I even had my escape route planned. Well, I eventually fell asleep only to be woken up at 3am to the sound of singing, clapping and dancing. I thought it was a dream at first, but then I got out of my bed and saw the hundreds, maybe up to 1000 Haitians dancing, clapping and worshipping in the streets. So much pain, so much destruction, yet they still worship, they still praise, the still rage on.
I am loving my time in Haiti. It is not all dramatic and crazy like this. In fact, most of my time is spent in an office 2 hours away working with teams and co-ordinating things from over here. I just want to give a picture of Haiti that you may not see anymore. One of hope, new beginnings, healing, and moving on, yet still in desperate need of help.
Wow dude.
all I can say is wow.
Thanks for just going out there bro,
wow.. wow!
Thanks for keeping us “in the loop.” My heart breaks and tears fill my eyes as I read your stories (from joy and sorrow). I am praying for a way to help…can’t wait to connect with you on that.
How old was Ome, the girl that had the dream about the place of refuge? It is so neat to see God working amongst all the hurt and pain. I bet Haiti looks back years from now at this as a turning point in the direction of their culture & community. Not trying to downplay all the pain and hurt that has happened, but God really does turn what was meant for destruction into something beautiful in a way only He can. How lucky you are to be a part of his plan for that country Phil.
Hey Andy, Ome, is maybe late 40’s I would guess. Very passionate girl for sure. Bro, lucky to be a part of this is for sure. I would wish this on anyone. I think people get in a place where they can’t go cause they have built up to much other stuff and have to be around for it. Loving the time though.
You were right about your wife being a wonderful photographer! We had talked about that, your family and your travels and experiences while on a mission trip to Costa Rica a few summers ago.. I was there with 3 of my sons (Pat, Jordan, Justin). Thanks so much for sharing your thoughts and anecdotes..I’ll be leaving for Haiti on Sunday to help with medical relief efforts so they are especially invaluable to me.
Many blessings to you and yours, stay safe!
Thanks Carol, You are going to love it here, it is a crazy country on a normal day, and these are not normal times. Safe yet very chaotic, I love it. Thanks for writing. Will you be documenting your Haiti trip while here?
We were advised to leave valuables behind (so no laptop and no camera – which I will especially and sorely miss), so my documentation will be limited to scribbling notes in a pocket journal, unfortunately. Thankfully, there are so many people getting the word out about conditions there..I’m really looking forward to going.
Good to hear from you, thanks for replying!