On my way there, I received a call advising that he would not be able to meet with me. I decided to cancel my flight. When we first learned of the earthquake, we could not have imagined the extent of the devastation, despite the announced 7.
This was their third trip with us. Their first trip to Haiti with FFP, one that I was fortunate enough to share with them, inspired them greatly. My first thought was that since they were staying at what was considered the best hotel in Haiti, they would surely have survived without problem. As time passed, however, we saw photographs of the destruction of the hotel on television.
We were extremely afflicted by the sight of that once beautiful, solid structure transformed into a mountain of rubble. The staff at FFP prayed unceasingly after that moment. Despite besotting God with constant prayers and supplications, four of the students and both faculty advisors were lovingly called to a peaceful painlessness and are now in the warm, eternal embrace of our Heavenly Father.
Leann was buried under the rubble for 17 hours, until a Good Samaritan heard her faint voice as he walked by the area where she was buried. Fortunately, this kind and very determined man continued digging until he reached her and ultimately saved her life. She was then airlifted to a hospital in the DR where she began her long process of recuperation that continues unto this day. I am very happy to report that she returned to work some weeks ago to the warmest of welcomes.
I ask everyone to pray for those who survived the earthquake and also for the families and friends of those who did not. Their suffering, due to the loss of their loved ones, has been an almost unbearable cross to bear and their pain is nothing short of palpable. Shortly after the earthquake struck Haiti, I felt a painful yearning in my soul to return to this beloved land that had already suffered more than its share of anguish, even before this disaster.
