LDS Athletes Gather at 21st Olympic Winter Games in Vancouver, British Columbia
By Doug Andersen
The Olympic Winter Games begin in Vancouver, British Columbia, with opening ceremonies planned for 12 February. Part of the pageantry will be the parade of nations, with competitors representing more than 80 countries. A handful of the more than 2,635 athletes are members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.
David Bissett – Bobsled – Canada
Torah Bright – Snowboard – Australia
Erik Fisher – Alpine Skiing – USA
Chris Fogt – Bobsled – USA
Christian Niccum – Luge – USA
Steve Nyman – Alpine Skiing – USA
Noelle Pikus-Pace – Skeleton – USA
Shauna Rohbock – Bobsled – USA
Noelle Pikus-Pace said it was “incredible” to hear her name included in the 215 members of Team USA. After missing the 2006 Torino Winter Games while she recovered from a fluke injury with a runaway bobsled, she looks forward to fulfilling a decade-long dream.
“I feel like I’ve been working on this for quite a while, not just me, my family, my coaches, everyone,” said the skeleton athlete currently ranked #5 in the world.
Torah Bright learned she will be competing in her second Olympics when the Australian Olympic Committee ratified the snowboarder’s participation on 25 January. This recent report aired on TheTodayShow on 9News in Australia.
http://video.msn.com/video.aspx?mkt=en-au&brand=ninemsn&vid=6ea06e00-dbee-4353-af9d-4f4d5112e66a&from=&fg=rss
Christian Niccum arrived in Vancouver this week to train at the Whistler Sliding Centre. He and his luge teammates have been competing in Europe. In a recent news conference the Washington native compared this experience to the Torino Olympics.
“Having the Olympics in Vancouver, so close to home, was a big driving force for me to keep going,” said Niccum. “It’s home to me. It’s a two-hour drive from my home to Vancouver, about four and a half to Whistler. I’ll have lots of family there and I am very excited for them to share in this Olympic moment.”
The Winter Games conclude 28 February
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LDS Church to Build Temporary Housing in Haiti Before Rainy Season
The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints is launching an aggressive program to put as many as 600 urgently needed temporary housing kits into the hands of Haitian members before the rainy season starts in April. A single kit includes lumber, corrugated tin for the roof, cement and hurricane straps for the roof.
The goal is to get families back on their properties by clearing away the rubble through organized service projects. Once properties are cleared, tents or the new temporary shelters can be set up. It is a continuing effort by the LDS Church to restore normalcy and promote self-reliance.
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“The principle of welfare should take place, where we help the people help themselves,” said Berthony Theodore, a senior Haitian LDS Church leader.
LDS Church welfare managers have assisted local LDS Church leaders in establishing a well-stocked storehouse of life-sustaining supplies such as beans, rice and milk.
Orders are filled through local congregational leaders. Deliveries are then made to the nine Latter-day Saint meetinghouses that have been used as shelters for those displaced by the quake.
LATTER-DAY SAINT CHURCHES IN HAITI: HAVENS OF SAFETY AND CALM
Hundreds of families continue to seek shelter at the nine Latter-day Saint meetinghouses around Port-au-Prince four weeks after the temblor. The meetinghouses have become known as places of calm and security to those staying there.
The Church has provided nearly 1,500 tents to those left homeless, and many now dot the property around the chapels. “A neighbor told me about this place and invited me to come,” said 16-year-old Cazy Lenlingy. “I am very happy to be here. Everyone has been kind and has received me well, thanks to God.”
Over 7,000 people originally took refuge at the meetinghouses, with those not of the Mormon faith making up more than two-thirds of the homeless.
DOCTORS
The LDS Church has sponsored several member teams of doctors to administer to the medical needs of the many people injured in the quake.
“I couldn’t sit back on my couch and watch it if there was something I could do,” said Dr. John Matheson of Kennewick, Washington, in a voice choked with emotion.
Volunteer doctors from the United States served side-by-side with Haitian pediatrician Gislaine St. Louis, a member of the LDS Church.
“After the earthquake I closed my private clinic to devote my time to helping the children in these areas,” said Dr. St. Louis. “I love the children and want them to do better.”
When Dr. St. Louis and her fellow doctors began to visit the injured at various meetinghouses, word of mouth quickly spread throughout the community and dozens of patients began to trickle in for help. The doctors were making sure wounds treated immediately after the quake were healing properly and free from infection.
“What has touched me the most is seeing people congregate to the LDS Church and seeing how quickly the LDS Church organized after the initial disaster and responded,” Dr. St. Louis said.
Even with the chaos there often springs hope. Three doctors say the same day they arrived in Haiti they faced their first medical emergency.
“I noticed a woman breathing heavily and pushing. She was going into labor!” said Dr. Rodney Anderson of Vernal, Utah. Dr. Anderson knows all about labor. He has delivered more than 4,000 babies throughout his career. “I was hoping to deliver a baby while I was here. I just didn’t think it would happen so soon,” he said.
Doctors Matheson, Anderson and Craig Coleby of Houston, Texas, placed the expectant mother on a pingpong table and delivered a tiny but healthy baby boy.
The new mother, Noiselia Saintdor, said she and her five children were panicked after the earthquake destroyed their home. They were running down the street with nowhere to turn for safety.
“We are not members of this church but I prayed to God to know where to go,” said Noiselia. She saw others going to the LDS meetinghouse and followed.
“When I arrived I was really happy because of the security that I feel here,” recalled Noiselia. “I am grateful for the people that have received us here and for everyone who is doing this great work.”
FUTURE PLANS
Response teams on the ground in Port-au-Prince are continuing to assess the situation and coordinate with other nongovernment organizations and relief agencies. While details are still being worked out, future activities will likely include assisting in agricultural, water and mobility projects, providing employment assistance, providing continued support to temporary settlements, and continuing work with other relief agencies.
Submitted By;
Karen Aspen
