On Friday, February 12, after flying into the Dominican Republic the previous day, the Youth Advance Team drove across the mountains to Haiti. Upon arrival, they brought hot chocolate to families and victims at a hospital in Jimani, where they developed relationships and listened to people’s stories.
One man, Francois, from Port-au-Prince told the team his unforgettable story: When the earthquake occurred, he and his wife, Elina, who was nine-months pregnant at the time, were in their home in a five-story building. The entire structure collapsed on top of them, but thankfully, neither was hurt. The trauma did, however, cause Elina to start contracting.
Afraid for his wife’s life, Francois immediately led Elina on a five-day journey to Jimani. The trip wasn’t easy. As soon as they made it and medical teams were able to treat Elina, her contractions started again. But before long, she was holding a baby girl in her arms. Through everything, Francois prayed and asked for the Lord’s mercy. God answered.
Later that day, the team traveled by vehicle to Port-au-Prince, where they were given a safe place to stay for the night. There, they spent time blogging about all they’d seen, building awareness through communication-a primary objective of the mission.
On Saturday the team spent their time attending to the needs of victims in the city. However, the devastation they expected to see was overridden by hope in the people. Nearly six thousand Haitians were gathered in Port-au-Prince for three days of prayer and fasting. Amid so much destruction and hurt, God’s kingdom was so present.
Sunday, they continued to make their way through the country and eventually stopped at a tent city with about 2,500 people living in it, where they were able to talk with a few of community’s leaders. AIM director Seth Barnes asked a man what they needed most. “We need food – we’re hungry. And our people are still hurting. We need to have our hearts healed,” he replied.
Barnes and his team not only provided the people with bundles of food and water, they made a promise to come back. The team is currently rallying troops and planning to return at 9:00am on Monday morning for prayer, intercession and more. What some Americans are calling a “national day of mourning” is transforming into one of God’s greatest spiritual outpourings.
“All you intercessors out there crying out for God’s presence, all you seminary students learning how how to put people in touch with him, all you desperate people who feel abandoned by God, I have a suggestion: You need to get on a plane and come to Haiti,” Barnes proclaimed after leaving the tent community.
The Youth Advance Team returned to the States today, Tuesday, February 17.
