A few days ago, I posted about David Hames and how he was at the Hotel Montana when the earthquake happened in Haiti 16 days ago. On Monday, David’s camera tripod was found in a lobby area of the hotel as the search for David and others continued.
Yesterday, David’s wife, Renee, sent out a statement for friends and the media saying:
More than two weeks ago my husband (David Hames) was trapped in the lobby at the Hotel Montana in Port-au-Prince. My heart aches terribly as the days go by, but my faith tells me anything is possible—including that David is alive.
David was last seen about twenty feet from the elevator shaft where Dan Woolley was rescued, and two days ago they recovered the tripod he had been carrying when the earthquake began. The tripod is dusty but not broken.
Along with his tripod, we know David was carrying his backpack, and his pack probably had water and granola bars inside. We also know the rescue teams are still finding voids in the hotel. The ground opened up around Dan and David at the time of the quake, but even though they’ve rescued Dan and found David’s tripod, we still don’t know where my husband is. My hope and prayer is that he is in one of these pockets in the basement, using his resources to survive.
David Hames is my soul mate. He is kind and funny and his love for his family is unstoppable. David’s heart is filled with joy for our two young boys, and they think the world of the man who gets down on the floor with them to wrestle, play tag, and play Star Wars. Our boys and I can’t fathom life without David in it, and the other families waiting for word on their loved ones at the Hotel Montana can’t fathom life either without their husband, wife, or child.
The Bible says, “Be still and know that I am God.” He is our God who provides beauty and joy even in the midst of devastation, and no matter what happens, my faith in Him will not be shaken. Still I am asking government officials to continue searching the area where my husband’s tripod was found to be certain that he is not trapped alive in a void. And I beg these officials to continue the rescue at the Hotel Montana until every missing person has been found.
Our hearts ache for Renee and all the family and friends of David and of all the others who are yet to be found in Haiti. David’s situation is especially near and dear to our hearts since the Hames family lives in our city, we have friends who are very close with them, and we have had the pleasure meeting them once through those friends. We can easily imagine ourselves in their situation, and our hearts are deeply touched.
God Almighty, what can we do in such difficult times as these but look to You and trust in You? We cry out to You and beg You to help those who are digging in the rubble in Haiti and please lead them to those who are yet to be found. You are the One who can make their discovery possible. Do not allow the rescuers to give up! Give them an extra measure of determination and perseverance. And I ask the same for all those that are buried under the rubble and still awaiting rescue. God, have Your perfect will and way in Haiti.
We were so excited yesterday to hear the news of the 17 year old girl that was found alive yesterday. It strengthens our hope that there can certainly be others very much alive and still waiting to be found. May the people who are there to search and rescue not give up!! May that rescue remind them that there can surely be more like that girl, alive and waiting to be found.