David Leventhal

We had the opportunity to visit Haiti Children’s Rescue Mission yesterday. HCRM is filled with some kiddos that Hope for Orphans (my employer) has been advocating for. I’ve seen the faces of many of these children on computer in Dallas so it was especially sweet to see them face to face.

HCRM was designed to care for about 50 kids and right now they’ve got well over 100. As is the case in nearly every orphanage functioning over capacity the conditions there are really bad & basic necessities are lacking. I am grateful that there were two nurses from an NGO that had been there for several weeks helping to care for the kiddos.

While we were there we talked to one boy named Rood. Rood, who is 12 years old & has an incredibly infectious smile, has experienced heartache & loss unlike anything I have ever seen. Rood lost his family in the earthquake – parents, siblings & a visiting cousin. When he was finally discovered by neighbors three days after the quake they had to amputate his arm to get him out. Rood had been laying head to head with his mother under the rubble. As he told his story my heart split & all I could do was weep. I simply do not have a category that I can reach for to put this in. And yet, in the midst of unspeakable pain & loss this boy expressed hope. A hope that he had been spared death & a desire to make the most of his time on earth. We (Hope for Orphans) is working to help get Rood medical parole to come to the states to receive proper medical treatment for his arm. Would you please pray that the Lord would allow this to happen?

We also saw a woman who had given birth to a beautiful baby twelve days ago. This newborn was sleeping peacefully outside in the plastic blue tote which served as her crib. As I snapped a picture of this perfect little baby her mother looked at me & gave a small, proud smile. It’s a look that my wife has given after wrestling in labor to deliver our son & two daughters.

Later in the day some of the team connected with Esperandieu Pierre who is the Director of Campus Crusade for Christ in Haiti. He is helping oversee the distribution of relief through Global Aid Network (GAiN) – which is a wholly owned subsidiary of Campus Crusade for Christ. Experandieu is a Haitian man with a big heart for Christ & for his people. He is assisting HORT in connecting with pastors in his network. Campus Crusade for Christ has played a pivotal role in my life & so I was grateful for the chance to meet with this man. Also, since Hope for Orphans is a ministry of FamilyLife (which is a ministry of Crusade) we fall on the big Campus Crusade for Christ org chart.

Here are some pictures from yesterday’s activities: