Haiti

Sunday, September 26, 2004
Alrighty, I know that this post is kinda long. However, it hits close to home and to my heart. Haiti was hit badly by floods from Jeanne. Some of the places that were hardest hit are places where I have been, lived for a while and streets that I have walked on. Most importantly, it has impacted my family, people that I adopted into my family whilst I was in Haiti. Please join me in your efforts to pray for these people and the rescue people who are there trying to help. Blessing and Peace be yours in aboundance!!!!

Journal 109
September 2004


God’s Protection

On Saturday morning, 19 September 2004, Captains Lucien and Marie Lamartiniere drove to Gonaives. They were accompanying the new Candidate Marc Eddy who will lead the small Salvation Army church in Gonaives. The Lamartinerie’s were then planning to drive to Limbe to conduct Sunday meetings.

When they arrived in Gonaives they were told the road was blocked because of rain and flooding so they stopped at Chachou Hotel. The candidate didn’t have his key to the quarters/outpost building so the Lamartiniere’s suggested he stay with them until the rain stopped.

As they watched from the second floor room the water began to rise in the street, then in the hotel parking lot. Before dark they could no longer see the Isuzu Trooper they were driving and the water was all the way up to the second floor of the hotel. Outside they could hear the screams of people who were being washed away by the torrential floods coming down from the hills around Gonaives.

By Monday the water had receded enough for the Lamartiniere’s to venture out to see the extent of the damage. Gonaives is a city of 100,000 people, third largest in Haiti, and almost every home in the city was severely affected. The death toll is over 1200, and most believe it will grow. The Salvation Army church along with the candidate quarters were totally underwater and everything inside them destroyed.

Captain Lamartiniere and Candidate Marc Eddy were able to return to Port au Prince on Tuesday, 21 September. As they told the story of their narrow escape they testified to God’s protection and providential care for them.

PLANS FOR RELIEF EFFORTS

Major Matthieu Milfort, Port au Prince Central corps officer and Sister Oliane (Dicken Smith’s mother) went to Gonaives to check on personal family members and assess the situation in order to make plans for the Army to assist.

In addition, we have received reports from Gros Morne that there is significant damage in the area around the corps and school.

Other areas affected where the Army has schools and corps/outposts (Port de Paix, Kamass, Gardon, Plaisance, Limbe, Moulin) are totally cut off by road and communication. We are waiting for some word.

The Salvation Army in Haiti is working with Kindernoltife (Germany) to organize a relief effort that will address both short term emergency needs as well as some long term help for families.

Please be in pray for the people of Haiti during this another disaster to strike their country.

Used

School is going wonderful!!! I am also using a new journal xanga.com my name is jamesamber i am going to try to update this one more often, it's just gotten so easy to stay on xanga. anyway
i joined a sorority Alpha Xi Delta, well I am a pledge of it until a little while later. I love it. And am so glad that I finally got the opportunity to go thru rush, this was the first year it was fesible for me to go through. YAYAYAYYAYAYAYAY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Well, i have to go write a spanish paper now, fun stuff. Have a great one