My wife and I were gone this weekend on a retreat with the CRWRC. We recieved a call on Saturday afternoon asking about the school. We hadn't heard any news, and so we were astonished to hear about a school which had collapsed in Petionville.
Our hearts and prayers go out to the families and people who have lost loved ones, and especially those who are waiting and have not located their loved ones yet.
The school, College La Promesse Evangelique in Petionville, a 3 storried building, was in session on Friday morning when it collapsed around 10am. It was a special day so students were allowed to invite family members and friends and as the school usually has 700 students, its hard for them to tell how many people were in the building at the time. Numbers vary, but it seems that around 200 people are still unaccounted for. Close to 100 people have already been found dead. It is a devastating tragedy. We feel for those who are suffering, and we pray that the LORD would be near them, and surround them with His loving care.
The accident happened on Friday, but they were not able to get any large equipment in until today, Monday. They were afraid of concrete shifting and crushing rescue workers, as well as those trapped under. Since there is so much rubble, there is a lot of work to do. A couple different countries are helping out with the rescue, as well as the U.N. (MINUSTAH) and the police.
The school is located in Petionville, which is on top of Port-au-Prince. And our school, Adoration, is about 3-4 km away, lower down in Port-au-Prince. It is very close,and so this hits home hard.
The news networks can provide us with the fuller story, and keep us upto date, so that we know what to pray for. And we need to pray.
Here are two links to find out more about what has happened and is happening.
France24.com
http://www.france24.com/en/20081110-rescue-workers-end-search-survivors-school-debris-haiti&navi=AMERIQUES?ppcseid=4004&ppcsekeyword=collapsed+school&mmtctg=1189607972&mmtcmp=33791342&mmtmt=5&mmtgglcnt=0&gclid=CLax_ZaR65YCFQplHgodOWXYOA
and CNN.com
http://edition.cnn.com/2008/WORLD/americas/11/08/haiti.school.collapse/index.html
May the LORD be near the broken-hearted.
May the LORD bless the work of the rescue workers and give them wisdom, safety, and strength, as they work admist this tragedy.
Randy
3 comments:
I heard about this, and while I was really glad to hear it wasn't Christian Adoration, it's still hard to hear... especially because I can imagine it now that I've been there. Keeping the Haitians as well as you in my prayers. Take care, Leanne
Hi R&K! Thanks for the update. I listened to the news with my heart in my stomach until I could get home and find out more details. Praise God that you and yours are safe, and wishing you all strength as you deal with this devastation as well as the collapse that occurred today.
Chris & Jolene Togeretz
Hi!
Neat blog! Thanks for keeping us up to date...amazing how the Lord is working through you and your team! Wow.
I had heard that a number of schools had collapsed. So thankful to hear it wasn't yours. What a tragedy.
God Bless you both
Jody and Marc
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