Tulsa Volunteers Aid In Remarkable Haiti Rescue

By Craig Day, The News On 6

TULSA, OK -- Volunteers from Tulsa helped with a remarkable rescue in Haiti. Medical personnel from 'In His Image' gave life saving treatment to a man who had been trapped in earthquake rubble for more than three weeks.

The images we've all seen are heartbreaking – children, their ribs showing from lack of food or water.

"It's hard to explain without being there," said Clint Olson, In His Image.

There are the sounds as well -- the cries of suffering.

"It's kind of an overwhelming environment to be in," said Olson.

Now imagine seeing it and hearing it, firsthand. Clint Olson did. He is part of an 11 member medical team from Tulsa-based In His Image that worked in Haiti.

"People were desperate for medical help," said Olson.

Now back in Tulsa, he's sharing his experiences and his video of working near the tent cities of Port-au-Prince, among the survivors.

"It would be easy to feel overwhelmed, in this kind of situation and feel even hopeless, but that's where I think faith comes in and faith in God that there is hope," said Olson.

Olson says despite the misery, in the Haitian people, he saw a spirit of hope. Hope in the baby they delivered on a crowded city street. Hope in the smiling faces of children.

The same hope seen by the current In His Image team in Haiti, when a survivor, buried 22 days, was pulled from the rubble and the group from Tulsa was there to help stabilize him.

"We had no idea whatsoever that we would have a chance with someone who had been in the earthquake, and buried in that rubble for 22 days. It was astounding," Ric Shields of In His Image said in a phone interview.

His name is Evan Muncie. Now at a hospital, he's expected to recover.

As for recovery for the rest of Haiti, the current team is working to make a difference to help those who are desperate and still hurting.

Altogether, In His Image has sent 42 people to help with earthquake relief in Haiti. They're looking into the possibility of sending a fifth team since the need is so great. 

2/1/2010  Related Story: Second Group Of Doctors From 'In His Image' Return From Haiti

In His Image family practice medical residency program is a part of the Hillcrest Medical Center.