As he was working with us in our CISM sessions we noticed some changes in emotions in him. The story he told to us was incredible. When the earthquake hit his sister was trapped in the ruins of the building she was in. When Rodney and other family members came looking for other relatives they found her alive but stuck in the debris; they were unable to get her out.

However for three days they talked to her and were able to get food and water to her.  On the third day she succumbed to her injuries and she is still entombed in the ruins along with thousands of other bodies throughout Haiti.

Then we found out he was raised in an orphanage with no real parents though he visited family relatives and knew of them such as his sister. And here he was working with us in an orphanage.

He would come and spend time with me and we talked on deep spiritual issues. He was a Christian but he enjoyed being reassured and talking about Christ and he especially loved serving alongside us as we served his people.

One day I gave him two of Doug Stringer's books- "Who's Your Daddy Now?" and "Hope for a Fatherless Generation". In reading the first few pages of each book his eyes filled with tears and as he clutched the books to his chest he said- "You do not know how much these books are speaking to me!"

We talked about the personal relationship we have with God our Father and that we are brothers in the family of God. He hugged me and after praying he departed thanking me again for the books and for being able to serve with us.

I hope to work with him again one day soon in Haiti where hundreds of thousands of orphans need to know there is hope for a fatherless generation.

Blessings-

Chaplain Edward Smith

VRM Deputy Executive Director