To Haiti and Back

On January 12, 2010, a devastating earthquake violently rocked parts of Haiti. Conservative estimates of those killed in the quake exceeded 200,000 with possibly upwards of 800,000 to eventually die.

Between January 27 and February 5, seven medical providers of the H.E.A.L.T.H. Team from Indiana and Missouri were privileged to serve in Haiti with Lifeline Christian Mission. On our ride to Lifeline's headquarters in Grand Goave, our eyes were clued to the scenes of massive devastation as we drove through Port-au-Prince, Carefour, and Leogane. Mounds of burning debris cast light and dancing shadows on huge piles of rubble that were once homes of hundreds of thousands of Haitians. Our eyes stung with smoke and fumes which made the air heavy. People wandered the streets like vagabonds hoping to find a makeshift shelter, food, broken possessions or missing loved ones. The scenes were reminiscent of those of heavily bombed German cities in WWII.

Haiti's Ministry of Health

Our arrival in Grand Goave was a heart sinking experience seeing so many homes crumbled including the walls of the mission. Despite all of the devastation and loss, worship music filled the night sky at Lifeline. The Lifeline church staff were encouraging the 2500 displaced inhabitants now living in a Tent City on the Lifeline property. Here were hundreds of people who literally only possessed the clothes they were wearing praising God! This was a definite encouragement to us.

Our time there was spent caring for hundreds of sick and injured whom we were blessed to serve. It was an emotional experience to be physically dealing with so much sickness, suffering and tragedy lying in front of us with broken limbs, infected sores, paralyzed limbs and malnourished bodies. At times, it seemed like the patients were multiplying on the benches as they were waiting to be seen. "If only we had more to give them; more medication, more food, more shelter" was a recurring thought in our minds. Fortunately, although we felt inadequate in meeting such overwhelming needs, we were able to share the love of the Great Physician with each patient we saw.

At times we wondered if our going there made a difference as the needs were so great. The smiles, kindness and "mesis" of the Haitians affirmed us. Their gratitude encouraged us, lifted our spirits and kindled our hope.

Leaving Haiti was much more difficult than going there. Driving away at 4 a.m. meant leaving our Haitian brothers and sisters in Christ with their tremendous needs, leaving a united group of relief co-workers and leaving the ministry of Lifeline.

I still can hear the pleas echoed by many Haitians as we were preparing to leave: "Please don't forget us" and "Please pray for us." May God grant us the desire, availability, and resources to honor their requests.

David Pound, M.D.
FAME Board Member