Tears from Haiti

 

During THQ Chapel service this morning, and after some technical difficulty, Kevin Ellers, director of Emergency Disaster Services for The Salvation Army Central Territory, talked via Skype with Bob Poff, currently serving with his wife Vicki at The Salvation Army's La Maison du Bonheur in Port au Prince.  This is a children's home, but since the January earthquake, it has been tranformed into a care station for some 20,000 survivors who are camped out on and around the grounds.  I say "camped" loosely because they are sleeping outside with no shelter but nearby buildings and rubble.

In the 10-minute call, Bob presented many staggering statistics, with vivid descriptions of how resilient the Haitians are, then his manner changed dramatically.  Overcome and almost unable to speak, Bob started to express his thanks for the overwhelming support that the USA Central Territory has given him and Vicki during their selfless efforts to serve the survivors.  Clearly this experience has been emotionally and physically draining on them.  The conversation concluded abruptly when the Skype connection dropped in the middle of Bob's expression of gratitude. 

The reaction of the chapel congregation was audible.  We all sensed Bob's heart via the call.

The Salvation Army has made several commitments to the people of Haiti:

• The relief and service effort will continue for a very long term.  Kevin Ellers used the term "years" to describe the scope of the effort.
• The type of help given is carefully selected in order not only to meet needs, but also to reduce a long-term reliance on relief organizations.  For this reason, the meals distributed consist of a container of clean water and the ingredients to fix a meal, rather than serving prepared meals.  The Salvation Army is also distributing charcoal and portable stoves with which to prepare the meals.
• The creativity and strength of the Haitians is also considered when selecting the services.  For instance, toolkits are being distributed in order to assist the survivors who have already demonstrated incredible talent for making shelters.
• Spirituality is central.  In one Salvation Army Corps in Haiti last Sunday, 200 people professed faith in Christ.  There is an openness to God's forgiveness in the wake of this catastrophe, and The Salvation Army is ready to guide those who are seeking.

Click here to donate to The Salvation Army's continuing work in Haiti.

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