Trauma, trauma everywhere
by David Darg
PORT-AU-PRINCE – For the third day in a row we have worked to treat victims in the Port-au-Prince soccer stadium. What started as an impromptu clinic has grown to become a field hospital where injured are kept overnight in tents.
Yesterday a group of French doctors joined the team, allowing us to open 14 separate treatment stations. At each station, 2 to 3 doctors work flat out to see as many patients as possible. A truck with a PA system has been touring the downtown area encouraging the injured to come to the stadium for treatment and we have made announcements on the radio.
One of the Israeli doctors we are working with sighed in frustration and told me he had never seen anything like this – none of us have. Patients that would normally be rushed to the emergency room were being turned away because there were others with more serious conditions. I saw a child with a broken back – she was paralyzed and I could see her spine bulging outwards in one spot. She was motionless except for her screaming. Another little girl had lost her right ear and a considerable section of her scalp.
While the doctors worked in the stadium, I was working 2 blocks away in the national hospital. We were responding to an urgent call the hospital made for clean water. This is the largest hospital in Haiti and everywhere you look there are patients resting after treatment. A good portion of the hospital was destroyed and now the patients are lying on old desks, blood stained mattresses or even on the ground.
One lady I saw had both of her legs in traction, the weight coming from two dusty cinder blocks tied to the plasters. The heat is relentless and one of the doctors told me that many of the patients had nothing to drink all day. To heal, the body needs water and if you are already sick, dirty water could quickly finish you off.
We were installing a water purification unit that Operation Blessing uses all over the world after disasters. The unit can output 10,000 gallons of clean water per day, more than enough to provide safe drinking water to all of the patients and doctors. Today we are back at the hospital to finish the installation and get water pumping, and our doctors will be back in action in the stadium.
The biggest challenge we are facing at the moment is the shortage of fuel. We are having to ration the diesel we have and we are hoping this doesn’t restrict movement in the midst of great momentum in our relief efforts. The great news is that I just found out that OBI has a fuel supply on board a US Navy ship and that should be here in a few days along with tons of relief goods for distribution and 10 more of the water purification units like the one we installed today.
It’s raining quite hard now and the mosquitos will be out soon. The rain will only worsen the already difficult living conditions for the scores of Haitians in tents across the quake zone.
Entries (RSS)
January 20th, 2010 at 11:18 am
Dave:
We really want to help you. You look like you couls use help on the ground. I want to come soon but am looking for an organization to work with. I readabout Eric in a local paper last Sat. The article mentioned Erics work with OBI and NHHM. I can help with relief efforts and long term. My family and I are ready to move down if need be. Just looking for a ministry to plus into. Can you give me some direction here? thanks
Dave Craig – Lead Pastor New beginnings Church – Tremont IL
January 20th, 2010 at 4:50 pm
This morning I woke up before 6:00. Haiti was on my heart and I felt I needed to pray. I don’t know how long I laid there praying for Haiti, maybe 5 minutes maybe 30 when I turned to look at the clock it was 6:00est. I got up with my daughter at 7:15 to find that Haiti had another quake at 6:03est. Then, I knew for sure it was God waking me up to pray.
Many prayers are going up for you guys and everyone in Haiti. God bless and I know he’s with you.
January 20th, 2010 at 5:01 pm
Dave,
I have worked with OBI in Linton, ND last winter. I have passport and vast construction experience as well as technical skills in web development and networking. Please call me at 720-934-6162 or email if we can work out some details.
Keith Broadbent
January 20th, 2010 at 6:36 pm
Dear Brother Pat and all CBN ambassadors,
I praise the Father God and our Lord Jesus Christ for CBN and all the agape love that is manifest to the world through His children! Its one thing to see a need and it’s another thing to roll up our sleeves and do something about it. CBN’s outreach to Haiti over the years has been resourceful, and the most recent response to the earthquake in Haiti has been incredible.
Viewing the dire needs of the Haitian people on television has stirred up an overwhelming feeling of helplessness for so many of us. I know I’ve spent countless hours interceding in prayer and have wished I could do more. It has been comforting to know that although my arms are shortened, CBN’s are not. I am grateful for the deliberate steps CBN has taken to expedite sending in medical and other necessary aid.
I saw on CNN that water tablets (which are beneficial) need to be stirred for 30 minutes before they transform filthy water into a clean resource. I’m pretty sure after seeing the earthquake coverage, that hospitals won’t have the time and patients won’t have the strength overall to stir for that length of time. The water purification units that CBN is supplying are a remarkable and miraculous answer to prayer though, and I’m proud to know that they are being provided by the Christian Broadcasting Network.
Thank you so much for your consistent stand in the world which glorifies Christ and draws people onto Himself. During the dark times of these last days, I pray that CBN will continue to be a forerunner; radiating light out of darkness! I feel privileged to be an ever so small part of it. Bless you abundantly for your efforts.
Your sister in Christ, Amy Meadows Gwidt
January 20th, 2010 at 6:59 pm
Our prayers are with you. God bless you for sending out this blog. It helps so much to know how to pray.
“Prayer moves the Hand that moves the world.”
Blessings!
P.Wissman
January 20th, 2010 at 7:50 pm
We are praying foreveryone that is there. I would also like to Thank everyone for helping. Our church (Family Worship Center) took a donation for you, and we are praying for your needs. Long Beach, WA Love & Prayers Diane
January 20th, 2010 at 9:30 pm
Thank you so much for keeping us up to date each day. I am praying for you and all the people in Haiti. God bless you and keep you safe. Thank you for doing what I can not.
January 21st, 2010 at 12:17 am
Just overwhelmed by what is being reported over CNN on the tremendous need for medical supplies and more doctors not to mention food and water. Patients going without food for four days and the elderly at the Port of Prince Nursing Home (about 20 min. from the airport) actually not injured but going without food and water. They’re saying that surgical gloves, pain medication, oxygen, needed surgical supplies–just not there. They’re reporting that a large number of people will either die or are dying due to the lack of basic medical care and surgery we take for granted in our country. Can you issue a deafening SOS to Christian doctors and other helpers to just go there. Is it possible to get fuel from the military already there, the Dominican Republic, or even fly some in? They really need help immediately.
January 21st, 2010 at 2:44 am
May God bless you a million times over for the love help and support you are giving to the Haitians..you truly are God’s hands extended there on the ground…we are all part of Christ body…but nothing can compare to what you are doing and having to see and cope with. You will continue to be in my thoughts and prayers. Thank you for all you are doing over there! God bless you , strengthen you and empower you with the Holy Spirit during these difficult times in Jesus Name. Amen.
January 21st, 2010 at 9:16 am
Thank you for blogging and keeping us posted. Until reading your blogs I felt concerned but really froma distance. After reading your blog, I feel what is happening at a much deeper level. I have sent financial contributions to OBI and several other organizations. Know that my prayers go out daily for the people of Haiti and the crews who are tirelessly and sacrificaially showing them God’s love and compassion.
January 21st, 2010 at 12:49 pm
Dave
I pray for your protection and that the lords shows favor over you.
Thank you for doing what so many of us want , but can’t phsyicaly do for the people of Hati.
Linda in Las Vegas
January 21st, 2010 at 10:39 pm
Thank you for updating us on what is happening in Haiti. It gives a face to the tragedy and helps to remind me of the importance of prayer for Haiti is right now.
January 24th, 2010 at 11:09 am
if ya see a feisty american nurse named cindy, thats my wife. tell her her hubby loves her. (blond blue eyes and a sort of bad temper…she is a ministers wife tho)