Minister describes damage and critical needs in Haiti
(Editor’s note: The following e-mail was sent Jan. 27 to friends of the writer in Southwest Florida. He previously served in a Roman Catholic parish on Anna Maria Island.)
By the Rev. Jean Ronald Joseph
The Ministry of Presence friends in Haiti went to the orphanage in Leogane, Our Lady Queen of the Apostles, (about two hours south and east of Port-au-Prince) Dec. 31 to Jan. 3 to feed the children and staff, about 110 children and adults.
On Jan. 11, I went to Saint Marc, north of Port-au-Prince and about two hours by car, trying to get some of the supplies I shipped through Customs before Christmas. After spending the day there with no satellite signal and no processing, I was asked to come back Jan. 13.
On Tuesday, Jan. 12, at around 4:45 in the afternoon, as I was getting ready to cook, with matches in my hands to start the range, all of a sudden there was a huge black cloud coming toward me.
I heard some of the dishes, glasses rattle. All of our cabinets started shaking, and the hot grease from the pan splashed all over my T-shirt. I felt like the house was in the middle of the ocean with the huge waves lifting it from one spot to the next. I ran through the chapel, where the tabernacle was already on the ground; the chairs and all were tossed. It was very chaotic.
I heard more glasses breaking, and I finally ran outside and saw the house was still waving. We lost half of our surrounding wall. The house next door was flattened to the ground.
The main road was filled with people praising God.
I realized something huge had just happened. I was told it was an earthquake. We all left the compound for fear of the house falling. I met a woman outside the wall, who told me her son was under the concrete, and sure enough, he was dead.
It was a nightmare. Everyone was on the streets. We eventually were told to stay away from concrete buildings. We stayed up all night wondering.
The entire team from the House of Presence and Sabon Enterprise and I began to mobilize some aid. We went to the Peace Hospital in Delmas with a 50-quart pot of soup ready to serve. We gathered whatever we could find – white sheets donated by Key Cleaners months ago, soap, toothbrush, toothpaste and more for the hospital.
Driving through Haiti, especially the Delmas area, was like driving to a war zone. Many multi-story buildings were flattened to the ground. Debris was everywhere. I could not believe it. All I could feel was tears, and sadness covered me.
Since that Wednesday, I have not had a minute of rest between volunteering as the bad news bearer in the hospital, to just feeding or offering water to injured people.
I have been witnessing so many communal graveside services, so many dead bodies all over the city. I have no choice but question, why now? Why Haiti?
I need answers, and I am sure I will have to think and pray harder.
The next day, Thursday, I was supposed to fly back to the States. I finally heard news of the children at the orphanage. I did not lose one minute to join them. A short trip of about an hour on ordinary days took four hours. I could not believe my eyes. The four-story building, which housed the girls, was totally flattened to the first floor.
Thank God it was prayer time at 4:30 p.m. and all the children were outside praying when the earthquake hit.
Unfortunately, we lost two girls at the orphanage and two others at school. Only two bodies were found.
The 90 children remaining are now sleeping under plastic tablecloths, praying that it never rains.
I felt hopeless and desperate. Do I need help? I am sure I need lots of it!!!
The house needs work. The structure is safe, but cracks in the walls will need repairs.
The children’s needs should be the top priority right now, and I am so afraid a good rain will wash away the rest of the little they have salvaged.
As I am writing this I am in the Dominican Republic, trying to see if I will be able to make it to the United States for a short time to get some personal medication, and gather my strength.
The children at the Leogane orphanage were just hanging by a thread and very hopeful. They hope I will return to feed them. They are so grateful as well.
Help us if you can, with money to ship supplies, or supplies themselves for the orphanage.
We will fill a truck with your help, and ship the truck and its contents as soon as it is filled.
Blessings to you.
For more information about the ministry, visit its website at www.ministryofpresence.org. Donations may be made by clicking on the "donate" button on the home page.
February 6th 2010 - 10:00AM