The Haiti Relief project will be an ongoing Mission project for First. For more information,
contact Team Leaders Tripp Atkinson or Wes Church for ways on how you can get involved.
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AS I WATCHED TELEVISION AND SAW THE PICTURES OF HOMELESS, ORPHANED CHILDREN sitting on the sidewalks of Port-au- Prince, Haiti, on January 13, 2010, I turned to my wife and said, “I want to go to Haiti.” I have seen pictures of homeless and hungry children on television in the past and have not been as moved as I was that night. There was no audible voice, but I truly believe that God was speaking to me at that very moment. I have never felt such an urge and compulsion to do something as I did that night. Tripp Atkinson called me on Wednesday, January 14, and asked if I would be interested in going to Haiti. Apparently several of us in the church independently felt the urgent need to go to Haiti to provide care for the people on the streets who needed help immediately. To make a long story short, a team of eight of us left for Port-au-Prince on Tuesday, January 19, 2010. The physical destruction of the city that we encountered paled in comparison to the desperate situation of the people. Granted, Haiti was not in the best of shape before the earthquake, but we found a city of over 2 million people who were virtually homeless. Although some homes were left standing, no one slept inside due to fear of aftershocks. No facilities, no clean water, very limited food supply, bed sheets and sticks for housing, inaccessible medical care – all of these needs were readily apparent as we toured the area. During the days that we were in Haiti, we conducted medical clinics beneath shade trees and tents and were able to treat approximately 500 people. Many of these people had earthquake-related injuries but had received no care whatsoever. Seeing the incredible needs and realizing our limitations, I found myself wondering if we had really made a difference or helped the situation that much. God reminded me of the story of the young boy on the beach who was throwing stranded starfish back in to the ocean. As he was throwing one at a time, a man walked up and discouragingly said, “You’ll never be able to save these hundreds of starfish. You won’t make a difference.” Tossing in another starfish, the boy just smiled and replied, “I made a difference for that one!” Around the world, there are millions of people in need. There is so much to be done. However, God has opened a door of opportunity for us to make a difference in the lives of the Haitian people. It is exciting to see what has already happened and what the possibilities are. Please join me in praying for the people of Haiti and what God would have us to do!
Testimony by Dr. Mike McKenzie, Team Member
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