Safe from their harrowing experience in Haiti — a group from the Sauble Christian Fellowship Church are reflecting on their close call with the ravages of nature.
South Bruce Peninsula Mayor Gwen Gilbert was one of 53 people who went to Haiti to work at an orphanage about 45 minutes from Port au Prince.
It was a week ago today they were caught up in the worst earthquake to hit that impoverished nation in 200 years.
Gilbert tells Bayshore Broadcasting News she was sitting on her bed when the quake hit and the piece of furniture was flung across the floor.
After safely getting out of the building, she says all they could see was a huge plume of dust hovering over what once had been the capital of Haiti.
She says they also could hear many cries for help from people trapped in collapsed buildings in the villages surrounding the Mission of Hope.
Gilbert says the devastation of the area was total and the images people see on TV come no where close to showing what really has happened in that country.
She now hopes the government of Haiti will use the massive amounts of aid pouring into the country to begin the effort of rebuilding and putting an end to the political turmoil that has existed in the country for many years.
Considering here close call and experiences helping victims of the quake Gilbert was asked if she would ever go back to Haiti?
Her response — definitely and she looks forward when she can return to help the people rebuild.
The 53 members from the Sauble Christian Fellowship Church arrived back in Grey Bruce early this morning after making last minute arrangements from Montreal.
They flew into Montreal from Haiti early Monday morning.
After resting in a hotel, the local residents left for Toronto by train around 4 PM.
Some family members were in Toronto to greet them and take them home while others made their way back by bus.