Memories from Haiti
Mission team members recount work in Haiti
On Saturday, January 9, 2010, several young adults from The Salvation Army returned from a mission trip to Haiti. These young people gave of their time to serve in Haiti by repaing facilities there and meeting with leaders and children involved with The Salvation Army's work.
On Tuesday, January 12, a 7.0 magnitude earthquake rocked the area, devastating buildings and infrastructure and resulting in many injuries and much loss of life.
Check out the media links on the right side of this page to see Shannon Rogers and Jacob Richmond talk about their experience and how badly they want to get back to help.
During the trip the members of the team took a several photos. Some of those are shared here:
Thoughts
Below are thoughts prepared by some of the young adults who were in Haiti just days before the earthquake struck.
Shannon Rogers
While our team was in Haiti we worked very closely with Bob and Vicki Poff at the children's home and school in Port-au-Prince. We formed relationships with some of the children in the neighborhood as well as some of the older boys who are being sponsored to go to university in Port-au-Prince.
While we were there we also worked in a small village about an hour away from Port-au-Prince called Balan where we painted a corps and visited with the corps members. We formed a special bond with a young boy named Daniel who lives in the city about a mile from the Salvation Army school that he attends. He tagged along with us the whole week, helping out with our projects and guiding us throughout the city. One day we took a tour through the slums and got to see the house where he lives with his grandmother because both of his parents have passed away.
We also got to see homes of some of the other students at the school and meet people in the community around the school. As far as the earthquake goes, we have confirmation that everyone we were close to while we were there is ok, but there is much structural damage. My heart was broken while I was there for the sufferring of the people which is only escalated by this natural disaster.
As I watch the news coverage I desperately search for familiar faces to know that they are okay. The Salvation Army of Haiti already had a lot on their plate, and this only adds to the responsibilities of workers there. Monetary funds are desperately needed right now and I would encourage anyone with a few spare dollars to donate it to The Salvation Army of Haiti. Every little bit counts, especially now. It is surreall to see pictures of destruction where just 5 short days ago there were smiling faces. For now, all we can do is pray.
Gessica Chadic
There are things in this world that if you continue to constantly ponder about they will have you in tears for days. There are circumstances that you’ll experience and you will physically feel your heart breaking and feel hopeless. Haiti is all of the above for me. Since moving to the States more than a decade ago I have not been back to my home country until I received the opportunity to go with the Salvation Army’s Young Adult Mission group this January. That was my perfect opportunity to go back and not only to go back as a tourist, but to go back representing The Almighty.
The Salvation Army’s work in Haiti is uplifting and is a great reflection of Him. In a country that is filled with poverty and anguish, I believe that the Salvation Army is a constant reminder that there is Hope. There is Faith. There are people that care. But not even a full week after returning from Haiti, disaster happened. Everyone left Haiti being spiritually renewed and feeling fearless. I definitely believe this is a test. God is testing our faith in His will. During devotions one night in Haiti, a fellow missioner told a story of how we should compare of spiritual highs and lows to climbing a mountain, and after climbing that mountain to realize that there is another mountain to climb. I am a firm believer that this unexpected earthquake and its aftermath is not a mountain that we can’t climb.
Everyone is able to help in this situation. Even if you are not physically in Haiti, prayer is a powerful tool. I haven’t heard of any relief system set up for Haiti yet but I am confident that my fellow Salvationists are aiding in prayer and will continue to do so.
Proverbs 3:5-6
“Trust the Lord with All your heart and do not depend on your own understanding. Remember the Lord in All you do, and He will give you success.”
Information about Haiti
Thanks for your generous support of the The Salvation Army's work in Haiti. We are still working hard to help the people of Haiti rebuild. Please continue to support this important work.
Donate Online
or call 1-800-SAL-ARMY.
Media
Two of the missionary team members, Shannon Rogers and Jake Richmond have been appearing on various media outlets promoting awareness of the disaster and The Salvation Army's work in Haiti: