Report from a member of the Jehovah’s Witnesses Branch Committee in Haiti

Hello! The following is what I wrote yesterday—I 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 Jehovah’s Witnesses branch prepared 700 bags providing basics for 2800 meals. Seriously injured are being transported to a border town hospital–Jimini and already they are full so are being transported to Barahona–about 50 miles from the Haitian border.

I know one person had a broken back, another a broken hip, etc. Awful! Thank you for your loving concern n prayers! We are about 75 at the Jehovah’s Witnesses branch right now. Everyone is FINE! 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, dead and missing in the heavily populated areas of PAP (Porte au Prince). PAP as you may have seen on CNN is reduced to dust and ruins. Our immediate area in Cr-de-Bouquet seems to have weathered it pretty well.

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 building that was 3 stories high is now zero stories high. When the earthquake hit–I was in the Jehovah’s Witnesses branch office’s 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 and our watch dog Wally started shaking all over and 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 describe 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 and 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 pyschology and 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 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 Jehovah’s Witnesses Assembly hall.

Jehovah really does take care of us!! Monday we had propane and diesel deliveries–without the usual paper transaction, cheques n requisitions, etc. (which they usually adamantly demand!–providing Bethel with a month’s suppy. Also, we had a 40′ container come in with lit on Monday n it was quite a challenge for the driver to manoeuvre 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 renos 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 flippin’ bldg was shaken to n fro–as the earthquake hit. Nonetheless, undetered–said they were happy to here n help out! Only Jehovah’s people respond like this! Afterwards–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 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 and universities!

Early e-mail:
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Things are still chaotic down here.  We are doing all we can here at the Branch. Reports are starting to come in from the congregations.  So far there’s been 66 of our brothers and sisters reported dead.  Many injured any many are now homeless.  There is a first aid station that has been set up in the Assembly Hall.  The DR Branch has sent a couple of trucks with supplies and last night they got through with some doctors and surgeon.  THey are setting up a simple operation room to treat anyone who comes.

There are 3 KH that we know of that have collapsed and are unusable.  The newer Halls are serving as bases for the local congregations and brothers. We were able to send out care packages of food, water and supplies to 400 families at the Halls yesterday afternoon.  THere will be intense efforts today to send out more.

The level of destruction is incredible.  It’s like from a disaster movie. People have had to bury their dead loved ones in common graves, or just holes in their yard as there are no morgues, caskets or funeral homes operating.  There is much concern over disease as there are hundreds of corpses in the streets. 

Love,
Jonathan & Marnie