My first Discovery Journey was to Africa in 2009. I gained a tremendous appreciation for my way of life living; in a free country with boundless opportunities. We are all guilty of taking our lives for granted, but we just don’t know it. Every time I walk into the kitchen for a glass of water, I can’t help but remember those less fortunate than me and thank God for His blessings in my life! So, when the earthquake struck Haiti, I called Life’s Hope and asked if I could help with their Haiti relief plan. I had no idea how challenging this journey would be.
Upon landing in Haiti, we were immediately told that our plans to return to Florida were misguided as the return flights were already full and it would be 10 days before we could get home. My first thought was, my wife was going to kill me. I soon recognized that there were many uncontrollable circumstances in Haiti and I had to deal with them one circumstance at a time.
As we traveled to the first installation, I noticed a horrible smell. The smell of death has no description. We installed the first system in the dark using flashlights to complete the installation. The United Nations provided us a ride to a hotel. Our team only had one room with a king size bed, a shower with hot water, and a restaurant with hot meals.
Our daily routine was filled with a series of “hurry up and wait” situations! At the hospitals, we watched the medical staff change bandages on amputees and wheel patients with broken bones across gravel paths. Children in body cast smiled at us as we passed through the hospital “tent” wards. We came across many American doctors and nurses who were so grateful for what we were doing because they knew that clean water would give these people HOPE!
As we walked through the streets, we did not witness any crime, looting, or violence. Even though the buildings, roads, and infrastructure lay in ruin; the people were orderly and friendly towards us. I never felt that I was in danger.
It is very difficult to describe just how good we have it. This is only my second trip into third-world country, but I have a completely new appreciation for my way of life and my support system. I am so blessed to have a wife and family that support and encourage me to embark on these Discovery and Exploratory Journeys with Life’s Hope. I found great comfort knowing that my family and church family were interceding for me every day that I was in Haiti.
I close my testimony with a call for everyone to help the Haitians in any way they can. The rainy season is coming and it could cause the buildings that are weakened by the earthquake to fall. The runoff may cause flooding and many people are living in huts, tents, or makeshift shelters. Standing water will spread disease and people suffering from malnutrition and dehydration have weakened resistance to disease.
The rebuilding of Haiti around ground zero is a huge challenge. I would go back tomorrow, if my circumstance would allow. The faces I saw in Haiti are burned into my memory. I will never forget them. I utter this simple prayer each day, “My God, please ease the pain of the hopeless around the world and thank You for counting me worthy to be Your servant”.
About Matt Cantwell
I am a mortgage loan specialist and founded Catalyst Mortgage Group in Tulsa, Oklahoma. I am married to Cindy and we have two sons: Caden age 4 and Camden age 6. My family attends Woodlake Assembly of God. Woodlake Assembly of God Church sponsored the Water Treatment System that Matt installed at Morning Star Christian Academy in Port-Au-Prince. My family is very involved at the church. I attended Southwestern Assembly Of God University with Jamie Austin, the pastor at Woodlake. You are welcome to contact me though my company web site located at: http://www.mycatalystmortgage.com.