From John and Inez Norman Haiti Branch
:-) Hello!!
The following is what I wrote yesterday--forget am losing track of the
days. Just been informed that over a 100 of our brothers have died as a
result of the quake and no doubt it will rise as time goes by--today is
really the last day to get anyone out alive.
The branch prepared 700 bags providing basics for 2800 meals. Seriously
injured are being transported the a border town hospital--Jimini and
even now they are maxed out n are now transporting them to
Barahona--about 50 miles from the Haitian border. I know one person had
a broken back, another a broken hip, etc. Awful!
Well back to work--please let me know if you get this! luv i
Personal Update
Personal Account
On Wed, Jan 13, 2010 at 1:51 AM, Dong
Hi brothers,I just got in contact with John Goode from the Haiti Branch who told me to announce you that at this time, 7:40 PM local time in Haiti, the Bethel Branch and the MTS students are doing fine where they are located in Santos, Port au Prince. At this time, there´s no report of injuries and no structural damages as the buildings are made to sustain earthquakes and hurricanes.
However, the brothers at the Branch are worry about the situation of the local brothers near the epicenter of the earthquake in Carrefour. There´s one report so far of a witness family with 3 children that are under rubble near the Branch. The brothers are actively searching for them as this report is being made.They fear that more sad reports will reach the Branch as time goes by...
We ask you at this time to pray for the brothers in Port au Prince so that Jehovah´s Spirit can strengthen their faith and love in this difficult time. Keep comforting the families in your respective circuit and congregation in your area..
Doug
Personal Account
Firstly, thank you for your loving concern n prayers! We are about 75
at the branch right now n everyone is FINE--right now busy as bees
preparing food n clothing, etc for the many brothers that are homeless,
n injured n in a bad state!.
We have had reports of brothers slightly injured, seriously injured n
dead n missing in the heavily populated areas of PAP--PAP as you may
have seen on CNN is reduced to dust n ruins. Our immediate area n
Cr-de-Bouquet seems to have weathered it pretty good. Have had no
reports of death in our neighbourhood--I haven't seen any houses in dust
on the ground--a few fences have fallen--but is about all on our
street. However, on the road to Cr-d-Bouquets--a new bldg that was 3
stories high is now zero stories high.
When the earthquake hit--I was in the laundry throwing in clothes in a
washer--when a deafening roar surrounded us--then the floor literally
heaved like waves n the washing machines swayed to the right n left--at
first the whole bldg swayed n with us grasping things to stand upright n
run--3 of us were there n I screamed for them to run out n stand in the
doorways--than when it stopped moving--which seemed forever--we ran out
on the grass in the courtyard--the sister standing next to me was
shaking like a leaf--I just hung to her for awhile till she stopped.
Terrifying!!
John was in the office--thrown to the floor spread eagle and couldn't
get up--crawled up to the doorway n managed to get up n hang on--as did
Robin n Daniel.
Some lighter moments too--Eveyln Thibodeau was watering plants n trees
down by the old Kitchen n our watch dog Wally started shaking all over n
become extremely agitated--she was trying to calm him down when it
hit--then all of sudden she saw frantic students streaming out from the
Dormitory--stark naked--as they were showering for supper. It was a
terrifying moment for all!!
Terrifying is not adequate to described the fear--Paul Rozon ran outside
the kitchen area in time to see the entire structure sway to the right n
left. Amazingly--the following day--the bldg was inspected n there were
no cracks!! Hurray for Design/Bld who insisted on all that steel--PAP
is in total ruins--haven't been out but the reports are bad--on
Delmas--City Bank reduced to the ground n so many others.
Had reports this morning from all our missionaries n foreign special
pioneers from Guadeloupe/Martinque n they are fine--if not a look shook
up. Wilburns in Leogane had part of their missionary home destroyed--so
they arrived at Bethel last night. Yakibonges n Grooms are find--about
3 miles from Bethel--Sabrina Y was able to phone home to Italy this
afternoon n reassure her mother (not in the Truth) that they were fine.
Her mother already had time to phone Bethel n the army!
At present we have the 13th MTS school going n those from Carrefour n
heavy populated areas have had deaths either the in the family or cong.
Some have not been accounted for--Br Phillippeaux over in Bon Repos lost
his only son--at university--haven't found the body--so the parents are
in deep mourning! Relief supplies arrived from DR this morning n by 2
p.m. trucks were ready to make deliveries to Pouplard n Delmas Nord.
We suspect not a few of our young brothers and sisters attending
universities may have died when those buildings crashed to the grounds
with everyone in them. One nice experience--one sister was scheduled to
attend a lecture on psyschology n she decided she did not want to hear
that stuff. As soon as she got outside the entire structure collapsed
before her eyes!
...Now if any want to attend university--they will have to move
to another country--as all their bldgs crashed to the ground!! And
believe me--their parents will work to send them there--that is the god
they have confidence in--Jehovah is kinda of a sideline one.
Very sad moments--Robin buried a 14 year old sister last night--she
considered him like her father as her parents are divorced--the sister's
only child. He had to run around n find a casket n she was buried last
night. We cannot even imagine the parents' anguish nor loss. We have
had many sessions of tears--we will be grieving until the New World!!
Her mother was a trooper through it all!!
Bottom line is Haiti is FINISHED--received its final death knell--this
literally killed the country. However, our brotherhood is as strong as
ever--had 3 deliveries already from the DR Branch--they sent us a doctor
n a emergency clinic has been set up in the class room behind the
assembly hall.
Jehovah really does take care of us!! Monday we had propane n diesel
deliveries--without the usual paper transaction, cheques n requisitions,
etc. (which they usually adamantly demand!--providing Bethel with a
month's supply.
Also, we had a 40' container come in with lit on Monday n it was quite a
challenge for the driver to maneuver that load in our little
driveway--we suddenly realize our little Bethel is growing into a major
affair!
Tuesday afternoon John had me taking pictures on the marks on the lawn
where the truck last week had to go up over the curbs n lawn to drive
out of the yard. Said to do the same thing on the following day as that
is when it was scheduled to be picked up. About an hour later the truck
showed up n he drove the trailer out of the yard around 3:30 pm. At 5
p.m two hours later--the earthquake hit n had that container been here
it most like would have caused major damage n turned over, etc. Most of
the family n students n volunteers spent the nite camped out on that
driveway. Happily for us it didn't rain!!
We have our Construction Overseer from Brkln here along with his
wife--Charles n Jennifer Snyder--plus great const workers--from
Canada--Rozons, Bellerives (Lisa n Sylvain) Thibodeeault's, etc. We
have all the PRACTICAL people on hand! Some 'accident'why they are here
at such a critical moment--why we know Jehovah n his angels are running
this work!!Another light moment.
One Canadian couple arrived from Canada--International Volunteers--a
tile layer as we are presently doing remodels in the old residence. After
Terrie West showed him the their room in the new Extension they were
enthralled. Brother said it was the best accommodations they have ever
had doing IV work. About two minutes later--the whole...bldg was
shaken to n fro--as the earthquake hit. Nonetheless, undeterred--said
they were happy to here n help out! Only Jehovah's people respond like
this!
Afterward--I was so keyed up--I worked till 2 a.m. n then crashed in
our bed--at that point was so exhausted didn't care about anything--said
if I'm gonna die--gonna do it comfortably it our own bed. Earlier John
tried to convince me to sleep upstairs then his office--but I refused.
He slept in the office. But Charles Snyder reassured me that the bldg
was safe n could certainly withstand any aftershocks--which by the way
we are still experiencing n are still nerve wracking!!
So that is about it folks! As soon as possible shall fire some photos
off to you!! Telephones are off n on--we have an Internet service--so
that is wonderful as don't think we would be able to communicate otherwise.
Warmest love n hugs to you all.
John n Inez
PS Susan may have forwarded this already--but this evening 3 more
doctors arrived DR--I do believe quite a number of brothers have died or
are 'missing' from Carrefour--a very densely populated part of
PAP--sadly--many young ones at schools or universities!
at the branch right now n everyone is FINE--right now busy as bees
preparing food n clothing, etc for the many brothers that are homeless,
n injured n in a bad state!.
We have had reports of brothers slightly injured, seriously injured n
dead n missing in the heavily populated areas of PAP--PAP as you may
have seen on CNN is reduced to dust n ruins. Our immediate area n
Cr-de-Bouquet seems to have weathered it pretty good. Have had no
reports of death in our neighbourhood--I haven't seen any houses in dust
on the ground--a few fences have fallen--but is about all on our
street. However, on the road to Cr-d-Bouquets--a new bldg that was 3
stories high is now zero stories high.
When the earthquake hit--I was in the laundry throwing in clothes in a
washer--when a deafening roar surrounded us--then the floor literally
heaved like waves n the washing machines swayed to the right n left--at
first the whole bldg swayed n with us grasping things to stand upright n
run--3 of us were there n I screamed for them to run out n stand in the
doorways--than when it stopped moving--which seemed forever--we ran out
on the grass in the courtyard--the sister standing next to me was
shaking like a leaf--I just hung to her for awhile till she stopped.
Terrifying!!
John was in the office--thrown to the floor spread eagle and couldn't
get up--crawled up to the doorway n managed to get up n hang on--as did
Robin n Daniel.
Some lighter moments too--Eveyln Thibodeau was watering plants n trees
down by the old Kitchen n our watch dog Wally started shaking all over n
become extremely agitated--she was trying to calm him down when it
hit--then all of sudden she saw frantic students streaming out from the
Dormitory--stark naked--as they were showering for supper. It was a
terrifying moment for all!!
Terrifying is not adequate to described the fear--Paul Rozon ran outside
the kitchen area in time to see the entire structure sway to the right n
left. Amazingly--the following day--the bldg was inspected n there were
no cracks!! Hurray for Design/Bld who insisted on all that steel--PAP
is in total ruins--haven't been out but the reports are bad--on
Delmas--City Bank reduced to the ground n so many others.
Had reports this morning from all our missionaries n foreign special
pioneers from Guadeloupe/Martinque n they are fine--if not a look shook
up. Wilburns in Leogane had part of their missionary home destroyed--so
they arrived at Bethel last night. Yakibonges n Grooms are find--about
3 miles from Bethel--Sabrina Y was able to phone home to Italy this
afternoon n reassure her mother (not in the Truth) that they were fine.
Her mother already had time to phone Bethel n the army!
At present we have the 13th MTS school going n those from Carrefour n
heavy populated areas have had deaths either the in the family or cong.
Some have not been accounted for--Br Phillippeaux over in Bon Repos lost
his only son--at university--haven't found the body--so the parents are
in deep mourning! Relief supplies arrived from DR this morning n by 2
p.m. trucks were ready to make deliveries to Pouplard n Delmas Nord.
We suspect not a few of our young brothers and sisters attending
universities may have died when those buildings crashed to the grounds
with everyone in them. One nice experience--one sister was scheduled to
attend a lecture on psyschology n she decided she did not want to hear
that stuff. As soon as she got outside the entire structure collapsed
before her eyes!
...Now if any want to attend university--they will have to move
to another country--as all their bldgs crashed to the ground!! And
believe me--their parents will work to send them there--that is the god
they have confidence in--Jehovah is kinda of a sideline one.
Very sad moments--Robin buried a 14 year old sister last night--she
considered him like her father as her parents are divorced--the sister's
only child. He had to run around n find a casket n she was buried last
night. We cannot even imagine the parents' anguish nor loss. We have
had many sessions of tears--we will be grieving until the New World!!
Her mother was a trooper through it all!!
Bottom line is Haiti is FINISHED--received its final death knell--this
literally killed the country. However, our brotherhood is as strong as
ever--had 3 deliveries already from the DR Branch--they sent us a doctor
n a emergency clinic has been set up in the class room behind the
assembly hall.
Jehovah really does take care of us!! Monday we had propane n diesel
deliveries--without the usual paper transaction, cheques n requisitions,
etc. (which they usually adamantly demand!--providing Bethel with a
month's supply.
Also, we had a 40' container come in with lit on Monday n it was quite a
challenge for the driver to maneuver that load in our little
driveway--we suddenly realize our little Bethel is growing into a major
affair!
Tuesday afternoon John had me taking pictures on the marks on the lawn
where the truck last week had to go up over the curbs n lawn to drive
out of the yard. Said to do the same thing on the following day as that
is when it was scheduled to be picked up. About an hour later the truck
showed up n he drove the trailer out of the yard around 3:30 pm. At 5
p.m two hours later--the earthquake hit n had that container been here
it most like would have caused major damage n turned over, etc. Most of
the family n students n volunteers spent the nite camped out on that
driveway. Happily for us it didn't rain!!
We have our Construction Overseer from Brkln here along with his
wife--Charles n Jennifer Snyder--plus great const workers--from
Canada--Rozons, Bellerives (Lisa n Sylvain) Thibodeeault's, etc. We
have all the PRACTICAL people on hand! Some 'accident'why they are here
at such a critical moment--why we know Jehovah n his angels are running
this work!!Another light moment.
One Canadian couple arrived from Canada--International Volunteers--a
tile layer as we are presently doing remodels in the old residence. After
Terrie West showed him the their room in the new Extension they were
enthralled. Brother said it was the best accommodations they have ever
had doing IV work. About two minutes later--the whole...bldg was
shaken to n fro--as the earthquake hit. Nonetheless, undeterred--said
they were happy to here n help out! Only Jehovah's people respond like
this!
Afterward--I was so keyed up--I worked till 2 a.m. n then crashed in
our bed--at that point was so exhausted didn't care about anything--said
if I'm gonna die--gonna do it comfortably it our own bed. Earlier John
tried to convince me to sleep upstairs then his office--but I refused.
He slept in the office. But Charles Snyder reassured me that the bldg
was safe n could certainly withstand any aftershocks--which by the way
we are still experiencing n are still nerve wracking!!
So that is about it folks! As soon as possible shall fire some photos
off to you!! Telephones are off n on--we have an Internet service--so
that is wonderful as don't think we would be able to communicate otherwise.
Warmest love n hugs to you all.
John n Inez
PS Susan may have forwarded this already--but this evening 3 more
doctors arrived DR--I do believe quite a number of brothers have died or
are 'missing' from Carrefour--a very densely populated part of
PAP--sadly--many young ones at schools or universities!
Official from Domican Republic (D.R.) Branch
Haiti Disaster Relief Report
January 17, 2010
This past Tuesday, January 12, 2010, An earthquake with the magnitude of 7.0 in the Richter scale, violently swept the Haitian capital of Port au Prince and it’s near by cities causing the biggest tragedy known to that nation. In less than a minute, tenths of thousands lost their lives and thousands of homes and buildings were left destroyed or deteriorated.
Only few will forget the death and suffering scenes showed by the media.
By the following afternoon, we received the confirmation that the Haitian branch personnel, as well as all missionaries and traveling overseers in those affected areas were alive. No considerable damages were reported in both the buildings and the attached assembly hall.
The Governing Body immediately begun to coordinate the relief labors along with the assistance of our branch here in the Dominican Republic (D.R.), providing practical help and spiritual help to the victims. It is easy to imagine the happiness of our brothers when last Thursday by early afternoon, the branch in Haiti welcomed the vehicles from the Dominican Republic branch with the sign “Humanitarian help of Jehovah's Witnesses”. The 6 tons of food and medication came right in time.
Since then, there has been an unprecedented relief aid ever known to the history of the island of Hispaniola.
The assembly hall in Port au Prince has been turned into a disaster relief center for the hundreds of hurt friends.
The mayority of these are being cared by the brothers from the DR, doctors and nurses, that have offered themselves as volunteers to help in the relief work.
Page 2
Their volunteer labor has been of great value. The have aid hundreds with broken bones and profound wounds. They have performed operations and even amputated some body parts. The most urgent cases are being sent to the frontier in Jimani in which are received by a group of brothers including doctors and nurses, and then processed by the hospital in Jimani. Many of the wounded have been transported to hospitalarian centers within our territory by ambulance or by Jehovah's witnesses using their own vehicles. At the same time, volunteers from our congregations are receiving them at the hospitals along with friends that can speak Creole and are making sure that are being well cared for , providing them with food, medications, and once released, a place to stay. The loving care of all these generous Christians is giving their friends a manifestation of “the loving kindness of God, being expressed in many forms”. WHAT AN EVIDENCE OF THE LOVE THAT DISTINGUISH TRUE CHRISTIANS!!!
One of the brothers that has offered to travel to Haiti as a volunteer was interviewed by one of the reporters of the “New York Times” at the frontier line, in which was looking for a way to enter Haiti. The reporter asked him how was he going to enter Haiti and if he belonged to a disaster relief organization. The brother explained that Jehovah's Witnesses were already working at the place of disaster and providing aid through the branch in Haiti. He also explained that more aid was being sent. The reporter was left amazed. The brother also added: “As a Jehovah’s witnesses, it is my duty to do so”.
Unfortunately, as of last night and among the loss of life, it has been confirmed the deaths of some 104 of our friends. The hatian branch estimates that around 10,000 witnesses live within the affected areas. The Bethel family in Haiti and the Kingdom Hall construction groups as well as the local brothers are working hard to rescue the victims (enterradas) under the rubble. It is why the number of wounded witnesses and students continues to rise and for sure surpass 500.
It is for that the Central offices in Brooklyn are sending capable medical personnel that can speak French and had offered to travel as volunteers to assist the emergency.
As we know, the Kingdom halls are still standing and right now, there are between 300 to 500 Haitian witnesses living in them due to loosing their homes. The branch in Haiti continues to work hard providing food and medicine to those brothers. Our branch has initially sent already a total of 25 tons of food and medicine. And of course, this is just the beginning. The disaster relief work will continue to function by our Bethel Brothers as well as the friends in the DR.
At this moment we cannot accept neither workers or volunteers in Haiti, appropriately. Those who want to help can do so by donating money. Until further notice, don’t send donations of clothing or food to the branch.
Let’s continue to pray to Jehovah and doing what we can support the relief work of our brothers, as we share the zeal the hope of the Wonderful Kingdom.
Official
For Immediate Release
January 14, 2010
Earthquake in Haiti
NEW YORK—Jehovah’s Witnesses worldwide are expressing deep concern for the victims of the devastating earthquake that took place in Haiti on January 12, 2010. Many Witnesses have made particular inquiry about the welfare of their 16,000 fellow worshippers in Haiti after learning of the magnitude 7.0 earthquake that struck about 10 miles southwest of Port-au-Prince.
Although direct communication to Haiti remains problematic at this time, preliminary reports are starting to be received at the Witnesses’ world headquarters in Brooklyn. The branch office of Jehovah’s Witnesses in Haiti at Santo, near Port-au-Prince, reports no injuries among their personnel and no major structural damage to their buildings. Additionally, communication was established with Witness missionaries, and no injuries are reported among the missionaries or the traveling elders among Jehovah’s Witnesses who were visiting congregations in the affected areas. Sadly, preliminary reports confirm that 52 Witnesses lost their lives in the earthquake; that number is expected to rise as more reports are received.
Witnesses around the world are offering their assistance. The Witnesses’ relief efforts are currently being coordinated from their world headquarters in Brooklyn with the assistance of the branch office in the Dominican Republic, providing practical help and spiritual comfort for the victims. More detailed information will be provided as it becomes available.
Jehovah’s Witnesses have been actively promoting Bible education in Haiti for over 80 years.
Contact: J. R. Brown, telephone: (718) 560-5600
Last updated 15 January 2010 13:44:21 GMT
Copyright © 2010 Watch Tower Bible and Tract Society of Pennsylvania. All rights reserved.
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