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(The following is a note from Ramon Reynoso who visited Haiti this past week.)
As i sit on my desk and bring back the memories, i can still smell the scent of the rotten bodies, hear the screams of hurting people, feel the sadness of the lost, but above all, understand that loss of hope that each Haitian has.
I cant believe that i went to Haiti. I cant believe what i saw. i just cant. Getting across the border wasn't that bad, but once your there, you know it for sure. Its a war zone over there its a complete disaster. Buildings all over are collapsed. I could smell bodies everywhere. And that was just the beginning. When we arrived at the Hope Site where the church used to meet up, we saw over a hundred people sleeping on the ground. They were soo excited to see us, we shared hugs and cried as they have become people with no hope at all. Its soo sad. Even the poorest man in the dominican republic or america can say, " i have no skills so i am going to flip burgers", these people cant even say this. You gotta understand this. There is no water, no electricity, and if your home isn't on the ground, its probably on the verge, so you can live in it. And this isnt one or two homes in the block, this is about 95% of every block in port au prince. there are no banks, no supermarket, no nothing! ITs that scary! We ate with them, and gave them healthcare, which they needed soo much. Some had wounds that were soo infected because they didn't have the materials to treat it. I wish i would of gone sooner. The first night we went to this park, more or less about 300 thousand to half a million people must of been gathered. People as far as i could possibly see, all homeless! It was like central park, but of homeless! I just couldn't believe my eyes. Arriving at the park it was already getting dark and people were actually putting up bricks of their homes on the street. It looked like they were trying to save a parking spot, but they were really just setting up a place to sleep. It was just devasting. No food, no water, and sleeping where you used to park your car. We ran back to where our bags where, which was about an hour run, and in the dark night, bc there is no electricity. This 12 or 14 year old kid was running with us. We found it strange, and thought he was going take out a weapon or something. Turns out, he rather run and make people think he is with us, then be alone in the dark and take the risk of even getting killed. He tells us he had lost his entire family and all that was left was his brother, and he couldn't find him. Were he lives, it was just rubble. That broke my heart. We are so blessed. When we finally got back to the parking lot where the church was, we took care of more people, and feed them. Its crazy, these people sing before they go to sleep, songs to God. i would think they wound be so angry at God, but He is all they have. We brought them tents and build them up for them, and they never even fought for them. They even told us to sleep in them and slept on the ground one more time. I slept on top of rocks , with a house, literally tipping over my tent. Any second it was going to collapse. But that was way safer then sleeping on the street.
The hours to follow weren't any easier. Walking around haiti, and serving people was hard, at many levels. Particularly emotionally and physically. There is no water, so your tired, and hungry, and thirsty, but at least i know i can get a drink in my bookbag. i actually saw someone who had a radiator coolant bottle for water. Thats the water for the week to shower for him and his family….and he is actually lucky. We went to various schools and children are trapped and crushed in every one of them. I am talking about thousands of children. Something out of this world and devasting. We actually saw a child on the bars of the school door, who almost made it out, but was crushed between the door, and a wall. Seconds. Maybe milliseconds. so sad. Today as i walked around and we saw a dog on top of a rubble in front of his house. He was howling, as if he was calling someone. So we thought he couldn't get out. We went over and he ran inside and we could see him through the window. When we took a look, apparently his master was crushed, and he was trying to lead us to him. It was too late, there was blood everywhere. Like these there are hundreds of thousands of stories of people. People all over haiti, who have no hope but to cling to God. I got many calls and texts from people who found out i was going to haiti and asking for help in the search for families stuck in the rubble that were actually with their cell phones. I couldn't imagine me calling my family because i am stuck in a building, and knowing i cant get out. Port au prince is like a massive grave. i don't think there is a single block with out at least 100 or more deaths.
So how can we help people. What can we do about this. i encourage any professional with any skill that can actually serve in any way to do so. Primarially doctors, and engineers. I noticed that a lot of people are going but its not nessisary people that can help, and can just be consuming food that the haitians need. All help is needed but please if you can send some do so instead. If you know anyone that actually has heavy equipment that can be shipped or flown into haiti contact them. Most people are dying because they are stuck. They need bulldozers, they need heavy equipment to save lifes. Pick one organization and donate to them. Hope World WIde, i attest to be the best. Why, bc i was part of it. I gave the medicine, i gave the food, i saw where the money was going. But above all these things, pray. Remember that we worship a Father in heaven that doesn't allow anything to happen without a purpose. A Father, who is loving and compassionate, and that even though we don't nessisary understand his plans or how he works, we know that he works in each and everyone of us. So please continue to pray for these people in Hiati, please continue to aid in bringing them hope. i am heading back to haiti, not sure when, but hopefully really soon. Ill post an address about donations for food, or money. God bless, and may our lives change forever because of this.
p.s.: i forgot to add, the person who received the team in haiti was a friend of mine, who is younger then me. He had just lost his mom in the earthquake, and was trying to give me strength as to all i was seeing. please pray for Rudy, as he finds a home for his brother who cant cross the border, and then goes back to the dominican republic. he is one of the lucky few the has a brother and a father that survived... You can post questions or message me about anything. I want this to be a learning experience for all of us, in which we can help our brother country haiti! I have tons of more stories about hospitals all collasped, and others things that i saw, that no human being should ever have to see. ill be posting up pictures shortly.
my number is 809 968 1211 if you have any questions just call or text. To God be the glory.
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