Earlier this month, one of LIFE International’s staff members, Anne Nelson, was able to travel to Haiti to minister to those affected by the earthquake. Anne, who grew up in Haiti as part of a missionary family, served a team of medical professionals by translating for them Creole into English and vise versa. LIFE was honored to help send Anne on this trip.

The team worked with teenagers like Sherley—who was one of 20 survivors out of 100 students when the earthquake hit her school, with women like Rose Marie—who amputated her own arm in order to free herself from under a pile of rubble, and with men like Bernard—who is wondering how he will ever return to rice farming with only one leg.

Anne and Crystal, a nurse on the medical team, both wrote summaries of their time at Hopital Lumiere in Bonne Finn, southern Haiti:

“I would like to thank all of you who so faithfully prayed for the medical team and me during our week serving the Bonne Fin Hospital. I have to admit that it seems a bit of a blur as other than when we were sleeping there was so much going on. Because I was able to understand what was being said around me, I was processing not only the task at hand, but the comments, advice and information being given by those standing by.

Haitian hospitals only provide medical services to patients, so there are family members who fill the wards, sitting on beds, chairs etc. and sleeping on floors or extra beds. The family members provide the food, baths, sheets and clean clothes for the patients. It is like a small community on each ward with a lot of interaction happening all the time.

My heart would have me return to Haiti immediately because there is so much I could put my hand to there.” —Anne

“We were able to get to know each of our patients and families very well. It was heartbreaking to hear story after story of how they survived even though many family and friends did not…As the week came to an end, I noticed our patients' spirits were lifting more and more as we worked endlessly at getting our patients up and out of bed, using crutches, walkers, & wheelchairs. Some we even wheeled outside in their bed to get some fresh air and sunshine. Rita (another nurse with the team) was great in the pediatric wing, using bubbles and silly string to provide some diversion to the children who desperately needed a moment of laughter after this devastating event.

Another unprecedented event from the Haitian government—3 national days of prayer on February 13, 14, & 15! Radios broadcasting continuous sermons, singing, and prayer could be heard in every wing of the hospital as patients listened and participated in these days of calling on the Lord for continued healing for Haiti. Driving by packed churches and seeing the townspeople returning from prayer meetings all day long was an inspiration for me. If only we could all call on the Lord Most High every day of our lives like this!

It will take years to recover from this devastating earthquake. I pray the world won't forget Haiti as time goes on. Continued medical care, prosthetics, physical therapy, psychological help, removal of rubble, reconstruction of homes/schools/businesses, and complete overhaul of the non-existent infrastructure will be required. The missionaries serving with Apostolic Christian World Relief will need extra prayers and support as they have worked endlessly, night & day, on top of all their other duties. I don't know why this event occurred, but I know God has a plan for Haiti and His people there. He loves each Haitian as much as me & you and perhaps more will turn to Him as a result of this disaster. My life has been blessed so much by this & I am so thankful I had the opportunity to serve!” —Crystal