SVN 3M Environmental Science
June 17, 2011
Mr. Carins
E.L. Crossley Secondary School
Friday, June 17, 2011
References:
http://www.livescience.com/9798-haiti-earthquake-science-caused-disaster.html
http://www.dec.org.uk/item/425
http://articles.cnn.com/2010-12-27/world/haiti.earthquake.survivors.reunion_1_earthquake-t-shirt-jeans?_s=PM:WORLD
http://askville.amazon.com/Haiti-earthquake-2010-place/AnswerViewer.do?requestId=65241531
http://www.foxnews.com/scitech/2010/01/13/earthquake-science-haitian-quake-explained/
"We believe as an organization following Jesus Christ, Mission of Hope exists to bring life transformation to every man, woman, and child in Haiti. We desire to serve the nation of Haiti, and see lives changed. Our passion is to see the hopeless find hope through Jesus Christ, and empower future generations through education to bring their country out of poverty. " - http://www.mohhaiti.org/
1,301 Words
http://www.dec.org.uk/item/425
http://articles.cnn.com/2010-12-27/world/haiti.earthquake.survivors.reunion_1_earthquake-t-shirt-jeans?_s=PM:WORLD
http://askville.amazon.com/Haiti-earthquake-2010-place/AnswerViewer.do?requestId=65241531
http://www.foxnews.com/scitech/2010/01/13/earthquake-science-haitian-quake-explained/
"We believe as an organization following Jesus Christ, Mission of Hope exists to bring life transformation to every man, woman, and child in Haiti. We desire to serve the nation of Haiti, and see lives changed. Our passion is to see the hopeless find hope through Jesus Christ, and empower future generations through education to bring their country out of poverty. " - http://www.mohhaiti.org/
1,301 Words
Thursday, June 16, 2011
Wednesday, June 15, 2011
The Mission That Became My Life's Mission
“When we least expect it, life sets us a challenge to test our courage and willingness to change; at such a moment, there is no point in pretending that nothing has happened or in saying that we are not ready. The challenge will not wait. Life does not look back. A week is more than enough time for us to decide whether or not to accept our destiny.”-Paulo Coelho
When I read that famous quote for the first time it never really phased me much until Tuesday, January 12, 2010 when it hit me like a brick. Seriously a brick fell right on my head.
I was on a mission trip in Port-au-Prince the capital of Haiti, just building churches with the team. We had already been there for a solid three weeks, when it all went down. Everything I once knew and my whole life's purpose would be changed forever. It was approximately 4:53PM that Tuesday afternoon when the earthquake happened. Seeing as how we were building a church during this drastic event a brick legitimately fell on my head, and I can honestly thank God because for some odd reason it did not even knock me out.
It was complete chaos! Everything around us was tumbling down before our very eyes. People were losing their homes, health, and loved ones in this very moment. Our team immediately tried to grab as many people we could, and take cover in the basement of the church. It was the longest 60 seconds of all our lives. I remember thinking afterwards to myself why did this just happen? As if this third world country doesn't already have enough issues, right? Those thoughts quickly came to an end, when I realized that everyone in the basement was safe. This shouldn't have been a shock to me, after all our God is good and promised that He would be with us in the midst of our chaos, but we just need to trust Him that He'll get us out safely.
A couple of people on our team were injured, but that was nothing compared to the estimated 316,000 lives lost. I find it unbelievable how just sixty seconds can make such a traumatic impact on several lives, the nation, and the rest of the world. We were all completely devastated with this national disaster, but we did not just sit there. When we got out of the building we went around the city to try and save people from being buried alive. Unfortunately, many of the people who we got out were either already gone or holding unto their last breath.
There was no where you could turn and not see dead corpses getting thrown into piles or burned. From left to right families were separated, killed, and lost in this dark time. Mothers and Fathers were now forced to either live without each other or their children, as well many children were now left orphaned. My heart sunk whenever I caught a glimpse of tears streaming from someone who found their loved ones dead. Without warning something of this magnitude could happen, with no time to say goodbye or even I love you. Imagine if your last words to that person ended with I hate you, over a petty argument. Then just a couple seconds later they no longer existing, and that is the last memory you have with them. Indeed this would be such an awful burden to carry with you for the rest of your life.
Thousands upon thousands of humans were drastically effected by this disaster and still are to this day. With an earthquake with the magnitude of 7.0 ripping through Haiti, there were bound to be massive environmental issues. Thousands of buildings suddenly became debris which is an overwhelming amount of waste.Haiti had to deal with all of these issues when they already had hardly any money. Water would be polluted by all the chemicals, trash filled beaches, smelly waterways, tons of dead fish (not to mention what other dead things) which were floating in the waters of Haiti. Forests were wiped out during this disaster as well, causing problems with soil erosion, which was threatening to the food and fresh water resources for the Haitians.
That being said, not only did Haiti have to worry about having enough safe resources to consume, but then there would be the task of rebuilding their entire nation. How can such a remote area that never even had enough of those resources to begin with, manage to rebuild themselves and keep everything safe/fresh at the same time? This question stuck with me day in and day out. I knew it was going to take a bunch of nations coming together to get Haiti out of this dark hole.
At this point, I had absolutely no idea when I would be returning home. A week passed and we were informed that there was a plane available to take our crew home, and when I heard that nothing that sounded better than home sweet home. However, over the period spent there and with what took place I felt a tug at my very heart and I knew that I would be returning shortly.
I spent a lot of time praying and asking God for direction with what my purpose in this catastrophe was, and what I can do to make a difference in it. It wasn't until the last day when it all became clear to me. The team and I went to the orphanage to say our last goodbyes. It was sad to see how the building decreased, but the numbers of orphans increased immensely. We decided we would keep the kids company until noon when we were scheduled to leave.
I noticed a little girl with her hand clenched on to a little locket necklace. She had the biggest brown eyes I've ever seen, and was rather thin. I asked her what her name was, and she said it was Micca with a huge smile on her face. The little girl was over joyed with happiness, and to be honest I couldn't figure out how she was so content and joyful. It was the first time I had seen such a smile since the incident. She asked me if I was excited to go back home. I hesitated to answer that question, because I didn't really know how to say to someone who is trapped there while I have an escape. However, she quickly implied that it is okay that I am happy to return home after all that is where all my loved ones were. I smiled at her and looked down at her locket, she saw my eyes follow the swing of the heart go back and forth. She began to tell me how her mother gave this to her before she passed on, and how she told her to stay strong and keep smiling. Her Mother told her she will be looking down from heaven at her, and how one day they will be together again and nothing will separate them again.
After talking to that young girl and seeing the unwavering faith she had, something in me started stirring. I knew I needed to make a step towards making a difference in Haiti, and this step was to be called Mission of Hope: Haiti. This non- profit organization was designed for anyone who has a passion for mission work, and making a difference in others lives. This organization has come such a long way since 2010 and has grown larger ever since. We believe as an organization following Jesus Christ, Mission of Hope exists to bring life transformation to every man, woman, and child in Haiti. We desire to serve the nation of Haiti, and see lives changed. Our passion is to see the hopeless find hope through Jesus Christ, and empower future generations through education to bring their country out of poverty.
A couple of people on our team were injured, but that was nothing compared to the estimated 316,000 lives lost. I find it unbelievable how just sixty seconds can make such a traumatic impact on several lives, the nation, and the rest of the world. We were all completely devastated with this national disaster, but we did not just sit there. When we got out of the building we went around the city to try and save people from being buried alive. Unfortunately, many of the people who we got out were either already gone or holding unto their last breath.
There was no where you could turn and not see dead corpses getting thrown into piles or burned. From left to right families were separated, killed, and lost in this dark time. Mothers and Fathers were now forced to either live without each other or their children, as well many children were now left orphaned. My heart sunk whenever I caught a glimpse of tears streaming from someone who found their loved ones dead. Without warning something of this magnitude could happen, with no time to say goodbye or even I love you. Imagine if your last words to that person ended with I hate you, over a petty argument. Then just a couple seconds later they no longer existing, and that is the last memory you have with them. Indeed this would be such an awful burden to carry with you for the rest of your life.
Thousands upon thousands of humans were drastically effected by this disaster and still are to this day. With an earthquake with the magnitude of 7.0 ripping through Haiti, there were bound to be massive environmental issues. Thousands of buildings suddenly became debris which is an overwhelming amount of waste.Haiti had to deal with all of these issues when they already had hardly any money. Water would be polluted by all the chemicals, trash filled beaches, smelly waterways, tons of dead fish (not to mention what other dead things) which were floating in the waters of Haiti. Forests were wiped out during this disaster as well, causing problems with soil erosion, which was threatening to the food and fresh water resources for the Haitians.
That being said, not only did Haiti have to worry about having enough safe resources to consume, but then there would be the task of rebuilding their entire nation. How can such a remote area that never even had enough of those resources to begin with, manage to rebuild themselves and keep everything safe/fresh at the same time? This question stuck with me day in and day out. I knew it was going to take a bunch of nations coming together to get Haiti out of this dark hole.
At this point, I had absolutely no idea when I would be returning home. A week passed and we were informed that there was a plane available to take our crew home, and when I heard that nothing that sounded better than home sweet home. However, over the period spent there and with what took place I felt a tug at my very heart and I knew that I would be returning shortly.
I spent a lot of time praying and asking God for direction with what my purpose in this catastrophe was, and what I can do to make a difference in it. It wasn't until the last day when it all became clear to me. The team and I went to the orphanage to say our last goodbyes. It was sad to see how the building decreased, but the numbers of orphans increased immensely. We decided we would keep the kids company until noon when we were scheduled to leave.
I noticed a little girl with her hand clenched on to a little locket necklace. She had the biggest brown eyes I've ever seen, and was rather thin. I asked her what her name was, and she said it was Micca with a huge smile on her face. The little girl was over joyed with happiness, and to be honest I couldn't figure out how she was so content and joyful. It was the first time I had seen such a smile since the incident. She asked me if I was excited to go back home. I hesitated to answer that question, because I didn't really know how to say to someone who is trapped there while I have an escape. However, she quickly implied that it is okay that I am happy to return home after all that is where all my loved ones were. I smiled at her and looked down at her locket, she saw my eyes follow the swing of the heart go back and forth. She began to tell me how her mother gave this to her before she passed on, and how she told her to stay strong and keep smiling. Her Mother told her she will be looking down from heaven at her, and how one day they will be together again and nothing will separate them again.
After talking to that young girl and seeing the unwavering faith she had, something in me started stirring. I knew I needed to make a step towards making a difference in Haiti, and this step was to be called Mission of Hope: Haiti. This non- profit organization was designed for anyone who has a passion for mission work, and making a difference in others lives. This organization has come such a long way since 2010 and has grown larger ever since. We believe as an organization following Jesus Christ, Mission of Hope exists to bring life transformation to every man, woman, and child in Haiti. We desire to serve the nation of Haiti, and see lives changed. Our passion is to see the hopeless find hope through Jesus Christ, and empower future generations through education to bring their country out of poverty.
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