January 12, 2010 4:53 p.m.

Perhaps I should have asked more people where they were when the earthquake rocked Port-au-Prince. Here are a few responses.

"Sumen" was in the kitchen. It was tin, so she and her family were safe [or, at least, that's the connection I think she made]. There was minimal damage to her house, just a few cracks. "Sumen" first words to describe what happened were: a favor from God. She also said, If I'm alive, no matter if entire world collapses.

Dorly was at a friend's house. Initially the earthquake felt small, so he stayed inside the house. Fortunately, as the earthquake increased in magnitude, he as well as everyone else in the house remained safe. Here are my notes from our conversation: Everyone was safe, but many people died in the area--kids. It was difficult to walk in the streets because the streets were full of people's bodies. A few thousand. Quarter million injured. 4:53 p.m. Earthquake hit January 12, 2010, longer than 50 seconds. It started small then increased. He stayed in the house, because he thought it was small. Couldn't make it home. No phone. He heard about his family the day after [they were safe]. Dorly was at the part in the city that was hit the worst. American Theologic School with over 40 people in it that died. Dorly knows more than 40 people who died. God takes care of him.
Haitians had no experience with earthquakes--didn't know what to do. People in streets went inside and buildings collapsed. 1750, 1842 prior earthquakes.

Wilbert, an intrepreter like Dorly, was teaching at a school. He was on the first floor. Everyone was safe.

Isaiah 49: 13
Shout for joy, O heavens; rejoice, O earth; burst into song, O mountains! For the Lord comforts his people and will have compassion on his afflicted ones.