It's so surreal to be sitting in my parents living room surrounded by family and friends. Wednesday morning we woke up and tried to make a game plan. Our most urgent desire was to find as many students and teachers as we could. On our way down to the school area we stopped by the Canadian Embassy to let them know that we were okay. At the school many people were stopping by to get information about loved ones and share what information they had. It was my first time seeing the school since the earthquake. It was a mess, I couldn't believe it. It was confirmed that one our teachers was dead but we couldn't get any news about Guerdson, our gatekeeper. Randy, Cadeau and Samuel went downtown to try and find him. I walked back to Randy and Karen's home with Jim and John (the two board members who were visiting). People were walking in mass droves down the main road. They were carrying bags full of their worldly possessions. It was strangly quiet. People were in shock, not sure what to do next. I went back to my house for some clothes and any food I could find. I unplugged my fridge to reserve my batteries in case we needed them later. When I returned I heard that there was a flight out of Haiti and Karen and Maia were going to try their best to get on the flight. I said that I wanted to stay but agreed to go to the Canadian Embassy to see what they were recommending. When we arrived at the Embassy they strongly urged us to leave. Upon further discussion I was convinced that I should leave with Karen and Maia. We had limited water and food and by leaving I would free up more resouces for others, as well there was nothing I could do in Haiti. I'm not medically trained and have no training on search and rescue measures. As the situation became more desperate it would also become more violent and our lives may be in danger. The embassy reluctantly allowed us to return home to pack a few essentials for the flight. It was so hard to not be able to say goodbye to our loved ones, as we pulled out of the embassy in the SUVs we saw them through the tinted windows but unfortunately they couldn't see us. We left PAP that night and headed for Santo Domingo. We were put up in a resort for the night. The next day we left for Montreal. The Canadian Army flew us out and took really good care of us. The Canadian Embassy's in Haiti and the Dominican Republic took really good care of us. We were travelling with Maia (Randy and Karen's baby) so we got special attention everywhere we went. Today Karen was able to speak to Randy on the phone. They received news on a few more of our loved ones. They are okay, and have enough food and water for a while. Please keep them in their prayers. I'm exhausted and not thinking too clearly right now. I'll write more tomorrow when my mind is a bit clearer.
8 comments:
Hi Kim, welcome home! I share your thoughts in regards to leaving. I can appreciate your being torn, but the food and water resources point is a good one. And, of course, your personal safety. I am so glad Randy felt in his heart the need to stay. How awful it would be in our beloved Haitians would feel that we abandoned them at this time of need. Who needs fair weather friends? Hopefully we are able to get together while you are in Canada. I'm sure the organizers will be in touch.
Sleep well. Pray hard.
Sharon Hofsink
Welcome home Kim... thanks for sharing - pictures and thoughts - you were and continue to be in our prayers...
All together we must help this people that lived this tragedy. LET'S HELP HAITI!
Thanks for the update Kim. I can't imagine what the last few days have been like for you but know that you are in our prayers constantly! We are just so glad that you are safe! Tony has been very glued to the news too since he has a bit more of an idea of what life is like in Haiti than I do since he was there a year ago. A group from our church and others were supposed to go down with Bill DeJong with Mission to Haiti Canada on Monday but that has now been cancelled too. They aren't allowed to fly in right now.
Anyways, take care.
Let me know if there is any chance we could get together.
Lisa (& Tony too!)
Our prayers go out from Belize Central America. I am a Canadian and teacher at a Christian high school in Belize. I realize how much it hurts to leave the loved ones that you have ministered to. God, our sovereign God, will provide for us in all circumstances. Let us give thanks.
Albert Zantingh
Kim, I am so glad to hear you are okay. I am thinking of and praying for you and your many friends in Haiti often. It especially hits close to home since I know you were there and you have many friends and colleagues there. I hope you will be able to find a way to help from Canada as I am sure you are wanting to do that. Love Shanti
As you deserve much needed rest and reflection from this all, strength will rise as we wait upon the Lord, praying daily for you and the situation...
HUGS, margie H.
Hello - my name is Jon Dykstra and I am the editor of a magazine called Reformed Perspective. I'm putting together an article right now on Haiti, with the hopes of getting readers to direct aid to Coram Deo. I would like permission to print the photo you have of the school after the earthquake to accompany that article. Would that be alright? My email is editor@reformedperspective.ca and the photo I am thinking of is this one: http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_INJQJyJMPsM/S1EHwhZaHeI/AAAAAAAAAOg/dEoFZPfrdB0/s1600-h/HPIM7917.JPG
Post a Comment