On Sunday, some of the team wanted to return to the hospital and continue treating patients. I knew that I would feel like “a fish out of water” if I was not in church on Sunday. I had spoken with one of our host translators the night before and asked if he would take me to church on Sunday. He said he would take me to his church. He arrived at the house around 9 a.m. The minister from Richmond, Va. decided to come along with us. Traveling to the church I saw more of the devastation in Jacmel. I saw buildings that had been reduced to rubble and many people sleeping in tents and makeshift structures.

When we arrived at the church, it was like a carnival atmosphere. There were people everywhere, some just standing around, others who looked like they were going to church, cars and motorcycles were scurrying by with seemingly no regards for all the people standing and walking in the street. Our guide parked the car and led us along side this large church building. The earthquake had caused the roof of the building and part of a wall to collapse into the interior of the structure. When we reached the rear of the church building I saw about 500 people worshipping under a tarpaulin. I later discovered that the church building had been condemned. We were escorted to the front and seated in the pulpit area.

I was struck by the jubilant worship service. The people were standing, waving their hands and joyously singing praises to God.I was struck by the jubilant worship service. The people were standing, waving their hands and joyously singing praises to God. They fervently read scriptures and they would read the whole chapter. One chapter had 72 verses. There were about four heartfelt prayers about 10 minutes to 15 minutes long. I thought they would be subdued and mournful considering what they had endured. At the end of the service, I was asked to be the afternoon preacher.

When I returned in the afternoon, the pastor and some church official gave me a tour of the ravaged church building. From the inside I could see that the building had been damaged beyond repair. There was a lot of structural damage. I was soon led to the pulpit where I got a chance to preach. The people received by sermon with much enthusiasm. My sermon was delivered with an interpreter. (This was the third time I had preached with an interpreter.)

Deacon Carl Biggs and I were to leave the next morning. We left about 8 a.m.. We got to the airport, such as it was, for our flight to Santiago, Dominican Republic. After about five hours, we called to inquire about our transportation. We were told that there had been some scheduling problems, but there would be an executive helicopter to pick us up. While we were waiting three large helicopters landed and there was great excitement ment and commotion around the airport. We soon learned that the Prime Minister of Canada had landed. Then I looked up and this large crowd of people, with men on the side and back wearing dark glasses and carrying machine guns. It was the Prime Minister with his entourage and bodyguards. He stopped, spoke and shook my hand and took a picture with me.

Our helicopter finally arrived about eight hours late. The executive helicopter was the smallest flying vehicle I have ever seen. Traveling over the mountains in Haiti on our way back to the Dominican Republic, I prayed some of my most fervent prayers. We had an adventure trying to make our connection after leaving so late. We made it back to Virginia safe and sound. My days in Haiti were life changing and served to make me even more eager to assist in helping our brothers and sisters in Haiti. I challenged our church to a $50,000 Haiti Relief effort. With the help of the Lord we should complete the challenge by June. (This is the final segment of my visit to Haiti).