Since the earthquake of January 12th shook this impoverished Caribbean paradise to pieces, I (Cedric Singleton) wanted to go to Haiti to help. After working out the details of our mission, Chavon Summer Moorer (my girlfriend) and I were on our way. When we arrived in Haiti (February 26th to March 3, 2010) we worked at a medical clinic ran by C.O.G.I.C. Charity’s Disaster Response Team located a few miles from Port-au-Prince, in an area called Croix-des-Bouquets.
My 7th day in Haiti, began when I heard Summer’s voice outside my tent. “Ced, get up let’s go for a walk with Dr. Walker and Pastor Pullings.” About a mile into our walk we saw some make shift shelters made of branches and sheets. As we approach for a closer look, a few young men approached us speaking Creole. One of the young men spoke Spanish. I was able to utilize my limited Spanish. He told me, the rather young looking man next to him was the leader of this group. I asked if people lived here. He replied yes, about 400 people that were displaced by the earthquake.
They took us to a tent and pulled a sheet back to revealed 5 or 6 sick older people. “We don’t have any food,” he explained. I asked “what happens when it rains.” He said they just stay up, the sheets don’t help in rains.
In the camp we saw all ages of people in need of help. We told them about our free medical clinic about a mile away and it would be open in 2 days. The look on their faces said, that is a long ways away. The young man said, “they are just waiting to die.”
When we returned to our base we agreed to change our plans for the day. While the medical staff prepared, we went to find some food and water. When we returned to the camp, a crowd of a few hundred had gathered. After we gave them the food, we began to treat the sick. We treated a man in his 70’s. He was so dehydrated the doctor said he was on the brink of death.
When we returned with help the crowd that gathered began to praise the Lord. Pastor Emile spoke Creole, he told them, all the glory belongs to our Lord and Savior. It was a sweet sound, when they began to sing songs of praise. They did not have proper shelter, food, water or medicine. This was a group that has been over looked by all the aid and aid groups flowing into Haiti but not by my God.
Later that night, my mind was with my friends who were sleeping down the road in the dirt, under sheets. I thought about how helpless and overwhelming it must feel to lay your child down on the dirt when the rain falls. The other night the rain had fallen heavily. Tonight, I am praying the rain is content to rest in the clouds over Haiti.
Submitted by Mr. Cedric Singleton (cedsing@gmail.com)
