Port-au-Prince part 2

As we neared the epi-center we noticed so much rubble and buildings half-standing. It was hard to believe that the earthquake happend 5 months ago because looking at it, it seemed like it had happend only a few days before. Rubble was pile so high and so wide all over. Some damaged buildings looked as if they would lose their grip and topple over into the street any minute. Esther, our guide told us that there were still bodies under the rubble.

We also saw another very sad sight, make shift houses set up in the median of the busy roads. It was unbelieveable. We saw children playing in the streets so close to the traffic. I just can't imagine all these people have suffered and are still suffering. It is so sobering.

This city is an overwhelming mess that needs to be rebuilt. The people of this city have broken hearts that need mended. I believe with all my heart that Haiti will not be rebuilt from the outside in, but, from the inside out. The spirit of God is moving in Haiti. People are seeing their need for Jesus, they are finding a new hope. Their hearts WILL be mended, they WILL be healed and set free from their oppressions!

Isaiah 61:1-4 The Spirit of the Sovereign Lord is upon me, because the Lord has appointed me to bring good new to the poor. He has sent me to comfort the brokenhearted and to announce that captives will be released and prisoners will be freed. He has sent me to tell those who mourn that the time of the Lords favor has come, and with it, the day of God's anger against their enemies. To all who mourn in Israel, he will give beauty for ashes, joy instead of mourning, praise instead of despair. For the Lord has planted them like strong and gracefull oaks for his own glory. The will rebuild the ancient ruins, repairing cities long ago destroyed. They will revive them, though they have been empty for many generations.

Downtown Port part 1

(Taken from my post 'not fair' on the relief.theworldrace.org website)

One of our schedualed days off turned out to be the most heartbreaking for me up to that point. My team and I had wanted to go see the Palace in Port-au-Prince and other areas near the epi-center. I was not prepared for what I saw along the way. We past a catherdral that had been damaged greatly during the earthquake. We got out of our vehicle to take pictures and as we were standing around taking in the scene, people from the street began to come over to us and ask for money. I noticed one woman in a green shirt holding a young baby on her hip and a young boy at her side. Esther, our friend and iterpreter began conversing with her. We discovered that she is 19 years old and is the mother of this 3 month old baby girl and 2 year old boy. She has no place to live and nothing to eat. Her daughter was wearing a onesie and her son did not have one piece of clothing on his body. It was such a hot day, as are most days in Haiti. The baby started crying and I could see she was very hot. This little family is at the mercy of others when it comes to eating. When it rains, they're on their own, running for shelter or putting a plastic bag over their heads. After listening to this story and taking in the mother and her children, I climed in the back of our vehicle and let the tears flow behind my sunglasses. My heart was breaking for this mother. Inside I was screaming, THIS IS NOT FAIR! Others began gathering around sharing their stories of the earthquake and how it displaced and crippled them. A boy that looked to be around 6 or 7 years old had a ball of copper wire in his hand and was biting pieces off and chewing them. We asked why he was doing that and his reply-he was hungry. My teammates and I began digging through our packs for trail mix, apple sauce packs and other snacks we brought with us for the day and gave them away. It wasn't satisfying to me though. It was a little somthing for a moment, but what about tomorrow? I felt so helpless. I wanted to rescue them, but couldn't. These moments are not things that will soon fade from my memory. I can't just come home and feel like I did my good deed by going to Haiti. I am now compelled to help from my home in the U.S.

Isaiah 40:11,

He [Jesus] will feed his flock like a shepherd. He will carry the lambs in His arms, holding them close to his heart. He will gently lead the mother sheep with their young.