I have seen it on TV a million times, bad guy gets caught, bad guy tries to get away, and bad guy gets shot and dies. However you know that the bad guy was really an actor and he will go on to live another day after production. Fortunately I have never seen anyone take there last breathes in real life, until today. It was disturbing. I was very disturbed by the fact that a young man lost his life and it was over a few bags of rice. While watching CNN, the police in Haiti claimed the people were looting, yet all bi-standers said the bags of rice fell off of a truck and the men simply went to pick them up and there was no looting. As they continued with the story, I could no longer hear what the reporter was saying. I watched them continue to film the helpless men who were shot. One of the men was bleeding but talking, another one who was not involved in trying to get the rice and was an innocent bi-stander, was also shot was talking in distress upset.

As the cameras panned the scene, my heart dropped to the floor, there a man was laying in the street next to bags of rice, bleeding badly and gasping for air. You could tell he was losing life slowly as he tremor and desperately tried to breathe. You could see the look of him pleading not to lose his life and then the cameras turned away, they spoke with the police who said they called an ambulance. While waiting for the ambulance to arrive they realized no one was coming so they put the two wounded men on a truck so they could get to medical help. The camera then returned to the lifeless body of the other man who was shot. He was left in the streets hours later waiting on ambulance that never arrived, another life loss due to the lack of medical care, the scarcity of food and water. Truly heart wrenching.

It took me a moment to gather myself, as I sat and simply began to weep for the people of Haiti. I didn’t want to ask God why? As I know sometimes we just never know why and I didn’t want to speculate. I asked God how? How can I really help? I know prayer is powerful and I will continue to pray for the people of Haiti, but I wanted to contribute and not just with money.

Later that day a good friend of mine called me. She said she needed to ask me a favor? “What’s up?” I said. She went on to explain that she had an idea this morning to get medical supplies to the people of Haiti and to send it with another friend of ours who’s husband is a Dr. that will be leaving tomorrow on John Travolta’s plane to aid the people of Haiti and wanted to know if I could help? I said, “Of course!” I told her the story I just shared with you and she too was shocked beyond belief. We were excited to help, despite our long days as mothers, wives and friends, which often leave us depleted. This overshadowed that, I was more than happy to know that what we were going to buy was going to directly help the people of Haiti.

When I hung up the phone, it took me a minute to realize what had happened because I just wanted to help. I went on with my evening and after my kids were all tucked in, later I realized God answered my prayer. Through all of my tears and wanting to help, He showed up and made a way and I thank Him for allowing me to be able to do what I can!

The devastation that has taken place in Haiti seems unimaginable, yet it is real. I will continue to pray that the road to recovery for Haiti is one that sufficient enough and with everyone’s help it can be. So if you are reading this please do what you can, every little bit helps, even something as simple as prayer.

God Bless,
~Audrey

To make donations go to:
http://yele.org/

https://www.hopeforhaitinow.org/Default.asp

“Wyclef Jean and George Clooney worked together to organize participants and funds for “Hope for Haiti Now: A Global Benefit for Earthquake Relief” telethon presented by MTV. The telethon was broadcasted from New York, London, Los Angeles and Haiti. 60 countries and 60 international networks aired the Telethon. “Hope for Haiti Now” has to be one of the biggest charitable efforts ever organized. All proceeds from the telecast will be split among five organizations working on the ground in Haiti: Oxfam America, Partners in Health, American Red Cross, UNICEF and Yele Haiti.” ~yele.org