Journal 109
September 2004
God’s Protection
On Saturday morning, 19 September 2004, Captains Lucien
and Marie Lamartiniere drove to Gonaives. They were
accompanying the new Candidate Marc Eddy who will lead
the small Salvation Army church in Gonaives. The Lamartinerie’s
were then planning to drive to Limbe to conduct Sunday
meetings.
When they arrived in Gonaives they were told the road
was blocked because of rain and flooding so they stopped
at Chachou Hotel. The candidate didn’t have his
key to the quarters/outpost building so the Lamartiniere’s
suggested he stay with them until the rain stopped.
As they watched from the second floor room the water
began to rise in the street, then in the hotel parking
lot. Before dark they could no longer see the Isuzu
Trooper they were driving and the water was all the
way up to the second floor of the hotel. Outside they
could hear the screams of people who were being washed
away by the torrential floods coming down from the hills
around Gonaives.
By Monday the water had receded enough for the Lamartiniere’s
to venture out to see the extent of the damage. Gonaives
is a city of 100,000 people, third largest in Haiti,
and almost every home in the city was severely affected.
The death toll is over 1200, and most believe it will
grow. The Salvation Army church along with the candidate
quarters were totally underwater and everything inside
them destroyed.
Captain Lamartiniere and Candidate Marc Eddy were able
to return to Port au Prince on Tuesday, 21 September.
As they told the story of their narrow escape they testified
to God’s protection and providential care for
them.
PLANS FOR RELIEF EFFORTS
Major Matthieu Milfort, Port au Prince Central corps
officer and Sister Oliane (Dicken Smith’s mother)
went to Gonaives to check on personal family members
and assess the situation in order to make plans for
the Army to assist.
In addition, we have received reports from Gros Morne
that there is significant damage in the area around
the corps and school.
Other areas affected where the Army has schools and
corps/outposts (Port de Paix, Kamass, Gardon, Plaisance,
Limbe, Moulin) are totally cut off by road and communication.
We are waiting for some word.
The Salvation Army in Haiti is working with Kindernoltife
(Germany) to organize a relief effort that will address
both short term emergency needs as well as some long
term help for families.
Please be in pray for the people of Haiti during this
another disaster to strike their country.
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