Population: 18.4 Million

Ecclesias: None

Christadelphians: 1

Link Brother: Don Luff

On January 12, 2010, an earthquake of 7.0 magnitude on the Richter scale changed the lives of a whole generation in just 35 seconds. This may not seem like a long time, but when the earth underneath is shaking so much you can’t stand up and everything around you is falling apart, it is a very long time! The power in the forces of nature evident in typhoons, tsunamis, hurricanes, tornadoes and earthquakes is beyond human comprehension. The damage and personal suffering caused by the earthquake that devastated Port-au-Prince, Haiti is almost more than one can bear to witness for the first time.

Brother Kenson Fortuné lived in a modest three storey concrete block home in Port-au-Prince, along with his immediate and extended family. Their home was located in the hills, as you leave this port and capital city of Haiti. Almost every house in his neighborhood was seriously damaged or totally destroyed! The family home was destroyed – it actually collapsed, since the quake was so violent - all concrete floor slabs were on top of each other when the shaking stopped and the concrete blocks were scattered everywhere – the same happened to the neighbours’ homes on each side. Kenson was on his way home from work in a shared taxi, when at 4:55 p.m. the car was thrown violently back and forth on the road. They were at a main intersection and the driver had to stop, since he could not control the vehicle. When Kenson did arrive home, neighbors stopped him at the end of the walkway to his area. They told him not to go to his house because it had collapsed and all his family was dead! Kenson would not believe them! His wife and 4 year old daughter, along with his father and mother and 5 other family members were buried alive in the rubble. Within an hour, all were rescued except his wife and daughter. After three and 1/2 hours he had rescued them as well from the dust in a corner of the basement of the house! Unfortunately a young man who had just arrived to visit the family for the evening meal lost his life when a wall fell on him. He was the boyfriend of one of Kenson’s sisters – so you can imagine the trauma that this has caused for her. Brother Kenson is so thankful for God's care for his family in this tragedy in Haiti though, as almost every family in the area of the quake lost loved ones.

We were told that the city of Port-au-Prince was designed in the 1930's for 600,000 people, which to be honest, I find hard to believe after walking around the city. The population is estimated at 3,000,000 and that between 200,000 to 300,000 people died in the earthquake – but when it is difficult for the country to supply the real population numbers, it is even more difficult to accurately estimate how many are missing! The presidential palace, as well as all the governmental buildings around it were destroyed. Almost all hospitals and medical centers, as well as schools, churches and buildings of any size collapsed. I was told that there was no electricity for 30 days, hence we heard and saw portable generators. The violence of the quake shook the city and much of the country side like a carpet - destruction is everywhere – I would estimate that 75% of the city is destroyed! And then there is the ordour of the dead who were buried alive. One is overcome with grief to consider the quantity of people who lost their lives - doctors, nurses and patients in hospitals; teachers and students still in classes; and many people at work in office buildings at that time of the afternoon. In the countryside - homes and towns were buried under landslides, as hillsides cascaded down upon them. These are the realities and results of an earthquake! I have experienced earthquakes and seen the results of devastating earthquakes in Costa Rica, Nicaragua and El Salvador, but this one seems different - a city that was already full of poverty, is now in many ways crippled and brought to its knees - it will take years to haul away the rubble and rebuild. And many homes and building were built on the side of hills around this port and have cascaded down the hillsides on top of other houses or into streams or rivers. Some of this mess can never be cleaned up! The residents say that their city is “cracked and broken”.

Up to the time of the writing of this article (February 28th), all we saw were thousands of tents and make-shift structures in every park, large lot and beside many houses – and some portable toilets. The daily existence for many is grim. For a few weeks "food cards" were available for most people to obtain supplies at certain locations in the city, at no cost. The main activity seen during my visit was that of dump trucks everywhere, hauling away the debris. One of the many concerns facing all the poor, homeless and jobless is the rainy season. It started the last week of February! Tents, tarps, plywood, corrugated metal and cardboard structures won't stop tropical, torrential rain! We can only hope the international relief organizations and the Haitian government take swift(er) action to at least provide temporary dwellings outside the city.

Brother Kenson and all his family, as well as neighbors who lost their homes and almost everything in them, were offered the temporary use of a large pavilion, at no charge. It has a concrete floor and is open at the sides, and room for many people to sleep under cover. The owner was not using it and could not see the families living outside in tents as the rainy season was about to begin. Those of us, who have camped in tents for more than a day in the rain, know what that can be like – not pleasant under the best of circumstances. Kenson and his family also have the use of the ground floor of the building next door. The C.B.M. Canada through the assistance of a number of brothers and sisters in the U.K. (including the Christadelphian Office) had two shipments of supplies flown to Port-au-Prince on January 24th & 31st - this was due to a kind offer from a man who is not a Christadelphian and became aware of the need. He has his own private jet and often visits Haiti on business. These supplies included tents, household and first aid items, clothing, French Bibles and sufficient U.S. dollars for necessary purchases. The packages were picked up by Kenson at a secure location about 10 minutes from his house and took care of their immediate needs. The Hand of God was evident every day during January and February as the brotherhood responded and worked together to attend to our brother and his family’s needs! The concern, cooperation and care by many around the world was indeed a symbol of our bonds of fellowship. We received inquiries, encouragement and help from Australia, Tasmania, the UK, from all over North America, plus from the Caribbean and Latin America. We are a worldwide brotherhood and at the same time, we have shown our concern for an individual brother and his family – whom almost all of us have never met!

I arrived in Port-au-Prince on Saturday, February 20th the day after the airport opened to commercial air travel. I was allowed 2 suitcases full of dried goods, canned food and health supplies (100 pounds total) and also managed to squeeze other first-aid/personal items for the family in my carry-on case, plus some more U.S. dollars. These items were from brothers and sister of Ontario ecclesias. I arrived at the airport about 2 pm and since the airport terminal itself was damaged (it wasn't much to start with!), they bussed us from the plane to a large warehouse set up for immigration, etc. - this actually went fairly smoothly, except for retrieving the 2-50 lb cases. No carousel - just on the floor and go for it - what a zoo! A kind young fellow came up to me, took my tag numbers and found the 2 bags. I gave him a big smile and a few dollars, and we were both happy – then he shook my hand!! It would appear that they had a crew of young fellows all with the same colour tee-shirts helping people find their luggage! What a warm welcome!

Kenson's place of work like many buildings was destroyed. He still has his job, but no where to go yet. His daughter’s school is also beyond repair. The future for many in Haiti is bleak and in some cases almost hopeless. Then there are the children - thousands of orphans and unwanted children due to the earthquake, and this is in addition to the orphan problem that already existed. The Red Cross, World Vision, UNO, UNICEF, OXFAM, World Relief and Save the Children are some of the organizations that could be seen in the city. The question is will all the money and supplies reach all the people who need it in time, and provide them with real hope for the future? Can we really comprehend the extent of the reign of justice and righteousness of our Lord as described in Psalms 72 and other parts of scripture? For those who submit to his authority and seek him by willingly going up to Jerusalem, what is the promise? “He shall judge the poor of the people, he shall deliver the needy when he crieth, he shall save the children of the needy, and him that hath no helper - and break in pieces the oppressor.” (sections of Psalm 72: 4&12) What a blessing it will be when Christ returns and puts these inequities and injustices right. What blessings there will be in the earth during the Millennial Age, when this planet itself will be restored to its Edenic condition!

The time we spent with Kenson and his extended family was rewarding for them and for me! I was treated with hospitality and good food everyday. The daily Bible readings and Bible study took place with Kenson and his brother Samuel. During my stay, Kenson and I enjoyed fellowship together and shared two Breaking of Bread Services – this meant a lot to him, after doing it by himself every week! Samuel Fortuné was actually the first one in the family to meet Christadelphians in the year 2000 in Panama. Samuel was visiting Panama and going to school there. Sister Ashley Robinson's father & mother, Brother Rhe & Sister Patti Desjardins (Mississauga West, Toronto Ecclesia) visited Panama and Rhe (who speaks French) was the first contact for Samuel at a special Bible presentation at a hotel in Panama City. Samuel had been receiving the Bible Correspondence Course for about 6 months prior to meeting Rhe and had also introduced his brother Kenson (living in Haiti) to the Christadelphians. Samuel stopped attending and taking the course! Kenson corresponded for quite a long time with Brother Dan and Sister Ashley, after they returned to Canada from Panama. Kenson completed several courses and went through a full baptismal interview by phone. In August of 2004, I accompanied a group of self-funded brothers and sisters from the UK to the Dominican Republic for a week-long Bible Camp for students and friends near Puerto Plata. Brother Kenson travelled by bus from Haiti (close to a 2 day trip) to attend the Camp. We again spent two full afternoons reviewing the first principles and practical living issues – especially living the Truth in isolation. He was willing and ready to be baptized. Brethren John Palmer and Andy Joiner (from the UK) listened to his confession of faith and then we all witnessed as they baptized Kenson on August 6, 2004.

My visit to Haiti wasn't without excitement. During the early hours of two mornings (Feb. 22 and Feb. 23rd) there were after-shocks and tremors. One was quite noticeable (4.5) and caused many people to rush out into the streets at 4:40 a.m. screaming out in fear. They were afraid there might be a repeat of what they had experienced on January 12th.

On a lighter side, each country in Latin America and the Caribbean has its own twist on "mass transit". In Port-au-Prince they use small pick-up trucks (as there are few buses). Each has a box cap mounted on a frame, which is in turn is mounted on top of the truck box. There are wooden benches inside the box, along each side. There is "plenty" of room for 10, or 12 or so people? This truck-come-bus is called a "Tap-Tap"! Not good for the top of the head of tall guys like me, plus it makes the stomach a little squeamish when the front wheels come off the ground as you are going up the hills out of the city due to the extended box load! The driver could see my plight on one occasion before we left the “bus stop” and told Kenson I could sit in the cab with him (the driver)! All during my stay I was treated politely by all people I met and I never felt in danger or at risk – the Haitian people were very friendly to me, but that did not mean I got careless and went for an evening stroll by myself. An interesting feature of Haiti – is the language, or should I say languages spoken. French is the main language, plus the French dialect “Creole” which has really become a language, and then English and some Spanish. During one taxi ride with 4 of us in the vehicle – Kenson spoke to me in English, he spoke to the driver in Creole and to his brother Samuel in French, and then I spoke to Samuel in Spanish (which he learned while in Panama). Sure made for an interesting ride! I was going to get my Bible out and check 1 Corinthians 14 to see if there was sufficient “signification” (vs. 10) or a need for an interpreter – but we made out OK! Kenson has learned English by himself through tapes and classes – never leaving the Island!

We took Bro. Kenson replacement copies of the recent Bible Missionary and Bible Magazine, along with copies of The Christadelphian and Wrested Scripture. We also left another stack of French literature supplied by the C.I.L., sent over especially for this trip. Bro. Kenson was very interested to see the A.L.S. Diary again. It meant so much more to him this time, than in the past. So many different brothers and sisters and organizations listed in the Diary had corresponded with him and sent him things. He truly feels part of a community even though he is in isolation. A number of these members from the U.K. sent me emails and personal or family photos to take with me. Kenson took them from me, as if he was receiving treasure and he was - tokens of fellowship!

You may be thinking – “Why hasn’t the CBMC (and the CBMA in the past) done more preaching on this Island, in these 2 countries – the Dominican Republic and Haiti?” Basically due to the fact that we do not have the funding or the fieldworkers to start and support a long-term preaching program on this Island. Both Bible Missions have all they can do to maintain existing work in the Caribbean (CBMC) and in Latin America (CBMA), without starting new initiatives. At the same time, we do now feel a need to do something. In Kenson’s case, the brotherhood has responded to his immediate needs. Other than what I have already described as practical daily assistance, we will be using the monetary donations to help him re-build or re-locate in Port-au-Prince or elsewhere. He does have employment (when there is a place to go to), which is an important consideration, since many do not. We also plan a follow-up trip to assist in the next stage of helping the family with their new home.

Finally, both the CBMA and CBMC would like to thank the brotherhood for the very generous contributions to-date towards this relief matter. We should have no problem in assisting Brother Kenson rebuild an adequate home for his family. As we have mentioned in our appeals – any excess donations will be used for future CBMA and CBMC relief work. For example the recent earthquake damage to the meeting room (plus literature and Bibles) in Santiago, Chile; or damage from the annual hurricanes in the Caribbean; or flooding that occasional takes place in Guyana. We assure the brotherhood though that we will do our best to honour requests for donations sent specifying that they be used directly to help Brother Kenson and his family.

In the Hope of the Kingdom and the Restoration of Israel,
Brother Donald Luff,
On behalf of the CBMA and CBMC