We’ve been reflecting a lot lately. Times of stress will do that to you. The hard times reveal to you what’s truly important. Since September, Haiti has endured months of hardship as “lock down” protests choked roads, injured bystanders, and shut down schools and businesses. Then, just as things were beginning to look up, Haiti was forced to reckon with the 10 year anniversary of the devastating 2010 earthquake.
Trying to make sense of it all, we asked our leaders in Haiti to share some of their thoughts about the earthquake and what’s happened in the intervening decade…
Dadine Morenstil (Business Manager)
“Every time I look back at that moment, I feel sad because I lost people I’ve known since my childhood. There are many places I used to hang out that are no longer there. And speaking of that, I feel very lucky because an hour prior the earthquake some classmates and I were at a complex that collapsed.
I thought there would have no possible life anymore because I saw so many injured people, there was rubble everywhere, it was like a city shown after a war in a movie. The only question that come in loop was, ‘what am I gonna do?’ I was afraid for my present and even more for my future.
A friend convinced me to volunteer with an organization; that was my first major volunteer action. Fortunately, 5 months later I was able to go back to college and save the year. I returned to my routine as I went along and 2 years later I graduated and got a job.
There are lots of testimonies that prove God has mercy on us. I know people who spent days under rubble who now live normally. But the majority of Haitians are still very vulnerable. They survive. Everyday we see and hear the problems. Where many are discouraged, God gives them the strength to continue. There is a song I like that says ‘my joy does not come from here, it comes from Heaven’. It is our faith in God that drives us to get up to work.”
Junior St Louis (Partnerships Liaison)
“When I think of the earthquake that hit Haiti 10 years ago, two questions cross my mind. (1) Why am I not among of those who fell victim to that earthquake? and (2) Where would I be if God hadn’t saved me that day? I feel like I have to stay close to my savior because if I’m still alive today,
God wants to use me for something special in his kingdom.
Since the earthquake I can tell that I strive to understand people better as human beings. To help people. To serve instead of be served. I also understand the importance of speaking English as foreign language in Haiti.
To be honest , I don’t really see big changes in Haiti 10 years after the earthquake. One small change is that people now understand that they have to build their houses to withstand earthquakes in the future.
Even though I don’t see a lot of changes in my country, I do see God at work around me. Because CCH moved to Jacmel after the earthquake, I have been able to work for them. Seeing all the good work CCH is doing, especially in Jacmel, really is helping Haitians. I could not be more proud than to be part of this great work.”
Rubinste St Louis (In-Country Director)
“When I remember the earthquake, I feel sad, frustrated and revolted. But my life has changed so much because of it. Without the earthquake CCH probably would never haved move to Jacmel. And I probably wouldn’t be in this position at CCH. The time I’ve worked for CCH and in the last 10 years, my life has changed a lot in many good ways.
Since the earthquake, people have become more careful regarding construction. In terms of people’s behaviors, I haven’t seen too much change, honestly. But I do feel like my work at CCH makes a difference. Some people from Jacmel always stop me and congratulate me for what CCH is doing. And I always tell them it’s not me, it’s God and the CCH team. We are well known in Jacmel now. People unblock the roads for CCH vehicles because they know we’re going somewhere to help people.”
Dave Pierre (Education Liaison)
“When I remember the earthquake I feel the same emotions mentally and it often causes me stress and sadness to remember all the damages. Since the earthquake my life has changed spiritually (I know God more and experience Him more) and socially (working to help myself, families and my community). Also my personal life has transformed from single to married.
The political situation hasn’t changed, there is still corruption, and the infrastructure of the country hasn’t changed much. But I see God working around me. After the earthquake, more people are coming to Christ. I have the privilege to share the gospel with people at church, at work and any place I am. More people come to know Christ, because they see how life is fragile.”
Nazaire Leveillé (Community Development Liaison)
“I feel the same emotions thinking about the earthquake as I did when it happened — very sad and reminded about people who were crying. Nowadays, I see God in the way He is using others to serve, and the way He is acting in my coworkers to be understanding to each other.”
Melissa Jean-Bart (Health Resources & Clinic Coordinator)
“I was not living in Haiti during the earthquake. I moved back 2 years later. I heard of the earthquake 10 minutes after it happened, but I was in denial. “It could not be! Earthquakes do not happened in Haiti.” Then the news was confirmed, and I saw the state of devastation it caused. Still to this day when I think about the earthquake, my stomach goes in a knot, my heart starts beating faster, and my knees go weak. I feel pain…anguish… then relief that it’s in the past.
A lot has changed since then. The earthquake was actually the pushing force that made me choose a career in public health after I saw so many needs in the aftermath. The Earthquake gave me purpose.
I see now that Haitians are stronger as a people; we are more resilient, more courageous. God is real and not dead. He is The Living God. Today when I reflect on the earthquake, only He saved our nation. Only He held us together. And today, only He is making a way. When we failed as a nation to rise to what us Haitians had hoped for — we are still standing by His Grace even today.”
We know that our experiences get woven into us. They make us who we are. You see that clearly in CCH’s amazingly committed and energized leaders in Haiti.
In a very similar fashion, CCH’s 30 years of ministry in Haiti have made us who we are. And we’re more aware, more capable and more determined because of them. We look forward to what 2020 brings. We look forward to the years to follow. Join us as we trust in that – and in the knowledge that this mission is not our own.
