Report from Candy Rieger, MVI Field Coordinator in Haiti (January 29, 2010)
On Wednesday, I drove across border (in north) and met up with Jaklin, a brother in Christ whom I’ve known for maybe 6 years now. I found the border activity to be the usual chaotic jumble, with pushing and yelling, and a pervasive “me first” attitude. First stop in Ouanaminthe (border town), I was not able to visit, but was told the hospital was full with earthquake victims. Long-term need is for housing after discharge.
On to Milot, where CRUDEM operates a very good hospital/clinic and has for many years. Here are 70+ doctors who are serving voluntarily…wonderfully organized and orderly. I was amazed! They’ve set up five operating rooms; Phillips has donated top-of-the-line monitors for the critical and for ICU. The town has converted all the schools into hospital wards. Each classroom holds 15-20 patients. Helicopters arrive daily with those in critical need of surgeries. Most victims here were in serious to critical condition. Big need now are nurses as the immediate surgical crisis is waning. There is a shortage of nursing care. There is also a need for physical therapists. There are so many amputees. Greatest looming need is housing after discharge from the hospital.
On Wednesday, Dr. Kelly (director) said he had 80-100 patients ready for discharge, but there’s no place for them. They still need some care and rehab, but where do they send them??? Please PRAY FOR THIS. It will take a large organization such as Red Cross or the UN to meet this need.
I can only envision this is happening all over Haiti, and also in the Dominican Republic. Tent cities are going to be everywhere, but who will manage them? Who will administer and supply the food/water/sanitation needs? Please PRAY.
I went shopping and was able to purchase 80+ tarps, heavy cord, and as many tents as possible (maybe a dozen)! I head back to Haiti on Tuesday or Wednesday. If all goes well, I’ll rendezvous with Jaklin in Haiti in the north, then drive to Petit Goave to work with Ed (Lockett) for a few days. I hope to be able to encourage him and get a better perspective on what MVI can do, and how to do it!
Last news report I heard, the officials handling emergency in Port-au-Prince are asking 800,000 people to evacuate the city. This is more than just rebuilding a capital; we are speaking of the breaking down of everything in Haiti and the building up again. It will take more than the international effort we’re seeing. It will take the absolute GRACE and MERCY of God. I do believe, this is His doing, and it is marvelous in His sight. Only God can see the amazing thing He is causing to take place through all of this.
Every one of us who knows God is being called, I believe, to place real FAITH in the goodness of God. He will not fail us.
Please pray for President Leonel Fernandez of the Dominican Republic. He’s done and is doing a wonderful job, but he needs much understanding and cooperation and godly counsel. Lift him up. May he have the light of the glorious gospel of Christ shining IN him.