Wednesday January 13, 2010

We asked Michael Messenger how the Arrow community can be praying for the leaders of organizations like World Vision who are now rapidly preparing to respond.

Mike’s response was profound, and demonstrates the skilled and effective leadership that organizations like World Vision are able to provide in situations like this. His first words were, “We are ready." He went on to say, “World Vision keeps a limited supply of emergency aid supplies in the Caribbean so that we can respond quickly during hurricane season, those supplies are already in motion." He also drew our attention to the World Vision website which already provides up to date access to information about Haiti, and the response that World Vision is providing.

World Vision has been in Haiti for 30 years and has over 400 staff working in various parts of the country. While the Earthquake happened only 24 hours prior to our conversation, World Vision Canada had already mobilized its rapid response team, and will have experts on the field in the next few days. Dave Toycen, President of World Vision was in the air on his way to the Dominican Republic as we spoke with Michael.

We asked him to help us understand how the logistics for such a trip can be handled so fast. He responded, “World Vision is at its best in situation like this, our team mobilizes around a single focus, and our many years of experience along with a clear tactical plan come into play at times like this."

We asked how the President of World Vision Canada, and the many other aid workers will actually get to the places of need. He responded, “Dave left before we had all the arrangements in place. He felt it was important to begin the journey so that he can be there as soon as possible to provide encouragement, and to personally assess the situation on the ground. He is flying to the Dominican Republic, as flights to Port-au-Prince have been canceled. We will charter a helicopter so that he and the reporters that are with him can not only get to the quake zone quickly, but so that he can also gain a bird’s eye view of the devastation."

When we asked Mike how we as leaders can be praying for the leaders who are responding, he answered quickly, “We are prepared to respond, and have great people on the field. But please pray for them, as our own Haitian staff are overwhelmed by the need, and also concerned about their own families. For instance, Frank Williams, National Director of WV, Haiti was out with his son when the earthquake happened. They raced back home to find that their apartment building had collapsed, with his wife and two daughters inside. Miraculously they had ended up in an air bubble amidst the carnage, but had to climb a tree that was left remaining so that rescue workers were able to find them. It is truly a miracle that they are all okay.” Mike went on to say, “this is not just an isolated story, it is being replicated 100,000’s of times often with the result that a family is left ripped apart by death or incredible suffering. Please pray for discernment and the right approach. The logistics in this kind of situation require significant expertise. Where do you start when the need everywhere is overwhelming?”

Mike went on, “as is often the case, the places that are the poorest are the places that have been hardest hit, and it is the most vulnerable who are affected the most – the poor, the disabled, and children." World Vision Canada has already pledged $3 million to the Haiti relief effort, and many other charities are making pledges commensurate with their abilities.

Learn more on the World Vision Canada website

January 13th, 2010:

“Words cannot begin to describe the devastation that has taken place in Port au Prince, Haiti. I am the Director of Disaster Services for The Salvation Army in Haiti, and I am from the United States…

When the earthquake struck, I was driving down the mountain from Petionville. Our truck was being tossed to and fro like a toy, and when it stopped, I looked out the windows to see buildings "pancaking" down, like I have never witnessed before. Traffic, of course, came to a stand-still, while thousands of people poured out into the streets, crying, carrying bloody bodies, looking for anyone who could help them. We piled as many bodies into the back of our truck, and took them down the hill with us, hoping to find medical attention. All of them were older, scared, bleeding, and terrified. It took about 2 hours to go less than 1 mile. Traffic was horrible, devastation was everywhere, and suffering humanity was front and center.

When we could drive no further, we left the truck parked on the side of the street, and walked the remaining 2 miles to get back to the [Salvation] Army compound. What I found was very sad! All of the security walls were down. The Children's Home itself seems pretty intact, but our quarters, which is attached, are destroyed. Unlivable. The walls and ceiling are still standing - but so badly compromised that I wouldn't even think of trying to stay there. All of the children, and hundreds of neighbors, are sleeping in our playground area tonight. Occasionally, there is another tremor - another reminder that we are not yet finished with this calamity. And when it comes, all of the people cry out and the children are terrified.

As I am sitting outside now, with most people trying to get a little sleep, I can hear the moans and cries of the neighbors. One of our staff went to a home in the neighborhood, to try to be of assistance to the woman who lived there. But she was too late.

The scene will be repeated over and over again. Tomorrow, we will begin the process of assessing damage, learning about casualties, and preparing for the future."

Click here to learn more on the Salvation Army website