Stephanie Pridgen was a racer on the January 2009 squad. She is now serving in Haiti as a writing correspondent. Here, she writes about visiting Leogane, the epicenter of the earthquake and the miracles that have occured.
As we traveled down the road and out of
Port-Au-Prince, there was a change from the dusty, dingy streets crowded
with people to a lush, verdant landscape running parallel to the sea.
Peppered among the amazing scenery provided by nature was another
amazing scene, building after building shattered and pancaked.
Port-Au-Prince, there was a change from the dusty, dingy streets crowded
with people to a lush, verdant landscape running parallel to the sea.
Peppered among the amazing scenery provided by nature was another
amazing scene, building after building shattered and pancaked.
Immense pain in the midst of intense beauty.
Leogane was at theepicenter of January’s devastating earthquake. Estimates say that 90% of
its buildings were destroyed and 20,000 to 30,000 people perished in
this township alone.
Today was spent getting supplies to a school in Leogane so they can
rebuild. The College Frere La Rochecafould was
completely destroyed. The school of approximately 400 students, deriving
mainly from three orphanages, was hoping to be open again by this past
Monday but due to lack of finances it is still a massive pile of rubble
and rebar.
rebuild. The College Frere La Rochecafould was
completely destroyed. The school of approximately 400 students, deriving
mainly from three orphanages, was hoping to be open again by this past
Monday but due to lack of finances it is still a massive pile of rubble
and rebar.
I heard that at the time of the quake there were about 200 students
on campus. They all happened to be in three rooms. The entire building
collapsed in the earthquake except those three areas. After the students
safely escaped those rooms caved in as well.
on campus. They all happened to be in three rooms. The entire building
collapsed in the earthquake except those three areas. After the students
safely escaped those rooms caved in as well.
A miracle.
I found it overwhelming as I walked through an
entrance and noticed a mathematics book open on the ground. On one of
its childlike pages a light blue butterfly left a dotted trail as it
fluttered across. Amid the rubble in one corner lay a child’s shoe
amidst several strewn school books. I wandered away from the other
staff for a few moments to compose my
emotions.
entrance and noticed a mathematics book open on the ground. On one of
its childlike pages a light blue butterfly left a dotted trail as it
fluttered across. Amid the rubble in one corner lay a child’s shoe
amidst several strewn school books. I wandered away from the other
staff for a few moments to compose my
emotions.
As I watched men unload construction supplies from the truck a few
children gathered. One little boy had a grin on his face and a dance in
his step as he begged me for a photo. After taking his picture he did
another dance in excitement.
children gathered. One little boy had a grin on his face and a dance in
his step as he begged me for a photo. After taking his picture he did
another dance in excitement.
Immense joy in the midst of intense destruction.
I was reminded again of God’s love for the people of this place.
Just last week as Benny was getting estimates for the cost of rebuilding
at the school he then received word of a donor in England looking to
give to a project for the same amount. An answer to a prayer we had not
even had the chance to pray yet. A school helping a school. A God
orchestrated moment.
Just last week as Benny was getting estimates for the cost of rebuilding
at the school he then received word of a donor in England looking to
give to a project for the same amount. An answer to a prayer we had not
even had the chance to pray yet. A school helping a school. A God
orchestrated moment.
Another miracle.
Those seem to be abounding here in Haiti.
I get to be part of it and as my supporters you are part of it too.
Thank you again for all your encouragement, prayers and support.
Thank you again for all your encouragement, prayers and support.
