CCHMP Seeks Help For Haitian Earthquake Victims

Tom Kocal

Larry Libberton of Mt. Carroll has a real Haitian connection.

"The Carroll County Haiti Mission Project (CCHMP) has been involved in Haiti since 2001 and during that time, we have made many friends in the poorest nation in the western hemisphere," Libberton said. "You can imagine our feelings of disbelief and fear when we heard the news of the devastating earthquake that hit Haiti on Tuesday, Jan. 12.

"It wasn’t until Wednesday that we learned our medical/dental clinic in Juampas (and the home in which we stay) were both undamaged by the disaster. We continue to receive reports on the welfare of the people we personally know in Haiti. Everyone we have heard about is safe and there are only a couple of people we have not had reports on."

Libberton said one group, including a medical doctor from CCHMP's sister organization, St. Paul Haiti Mission Project, planned to fly to the Dominican Republic on January 15 and then cross the border into Haiti and travel to prepare the clinic for the extra casualties expected there. It is believed that crowds will be flooding to the mountain villages if they are able because of the massive devastation in Port-au-Prince.

"I have been putting updates on our website ( http://cchmp.tripod.com/) as we receive them," Libberton stated. "Juampas is about 40 miles from Port-au-Prince (PAP) and I believe that our people will be staying in Juampas to operate the clinic instead of trying to get to PAP.  As far as I know, we have not received any reports from Dr. Lester (James) Hartman who was planning to get to Juampas.  There have been some heart-wrenching stories from the area. Below is an email from Holly Hartman, wife of Dr. Lester Hartman . . . the stories of our friends made me shiver when I first read them." 

"Security is my concern now after watching CNN last night.  People are getting desperate, so the safety of our people is on our minds.

"I was finally able to reach Jothson and Pascal this afternoon on the phone.  They were safe and sound back home,  Thank God.

"Jothson also told me that Linkenson is okay.   I don't know about Elise or Bob or Mamoom or Robinson. Jothson stayed home from school on Tuesday because he didn't feel well.  He told me that his school collapsed and all of his classmates died. Had he been in school . . .

"Pascal was IN his school when his collapsed.  He was on the second floor.  The third floor fell onto the second, then the second onto the first.  Pascal found himself on his stomach, with no room to sit or stand.  He had to crawl his way out.  I don't know how long he was trapped.

"Jothson and his brother and cousins WALKED their way out of Port-au-Prince to Juampas.  I am still unclear if they were able to get any type of ride at any point.   They arrived back home last night at 8 pm, so they may have walked the whole way.  Pascal didn't make it back til today and everyone was frantic about him til he showed up.

"I told them that all of us have been holding them in our prayers and our thoughts and that in fact, the whole world was watching Haiti right now.  They seemed a little surprised about the latter.  I told them that millions of dollars of aid are going to pour into the country and they were astounded.

"Lester, [Jim] and Sarah are leaving at 1:30 a.m.  to get a flight to Santo Domingo . . . they will meet Marline there and then travel all tomorrow night to Juampas.  They are keeping the border open (I guess it usually closes by 8 p.m.)  I am very worried about their safety along this route so please keep them in your prayers.

"Keep the news coming our way and we'll do the same . . . Love to all of you wonderful people in CCHMP.

Holly"

Here's a follow-up Facebook update from Holly:

"Lester, Sarah, my cousin Nathan, Marline (HOPEH Director) and the rest arrived safely in Santo Domingo. They had to spend the night, then stocked up on medication, some of which was donated by a very generous pharmacist. They are en route to Juampas right now.

"It has been so difficult to watch the news coverage of this disaster and seeing how the Haitians are having to cope with yet another tragedy.  We had begun to see some improvements in Haiti during the time we have been going there, so it is disheartening to see this huge setback."

Libberton reported that a CCHMP crew was planning to make their 26th regular trip to Haiti February 10-16; this trip is still scheduled and the group will take its normal load of supplies.

"Scheduled for the trip next month are Teri and Trevor Timm, Jerry and Mandie Cornelius, Terrie Miller and Jeff Elliott.  Two dentists will also join us."

Libberton added, "If you’d like to help the people of Haiti, we invite you to two events: CCHMP’s ninth annual musical fund-raiser will be held at Charlie’s II in Mt. Carroll on Saturday, Jan. 30.  'The L.R. Band' from Peoria will begin playing at 7 p.m. and the event features music, food and door prizes.

"A send-off luncheon at the Mt. Carroll United Methodist Church is set for Sunday, Feb. 7 at 11:30 a.m.," Libberton said.

Tax-deductible monetary donations can be sent to CCHMP, 111 E. Broad St., Mt. Carroll, IL  61053.  (Because of baggage space limitations, only monetary donations are being sought for this trip.)

To learn more about CCHMP, and for updates on the earthquake, go to http://cchmp.tripod.com/.

"Please pray for the people of Haiti and the many workers who will be there providing disaster relief in the days, weeks and months ahead," Libberton concluded.