Inspire, Fall/Winter 2010

Chris recalled the scene at the port: “A woman was singing and praising the Lord. It was neat to see that we were able to bring a little bit of hope to her for something she had been praying about.” “It is hard not to go into visual overload when you are in Haiti,” he said. “Pictures in magazines and media portrayals are only a glimpse into real life. There were piles of rubble along the road because there was nowhere else to put it. Goats, pigs, and other animals roamed along the road as a stray dog would in the United States.” Armed with a photo lens and video camera, Chris documented the tragedy and CIA’s ministry during the two weeks he was in Haiti. Preparing for the Mission Reflecting on his journey to the ravaged country, Chris knows that only God could have orchestrated his path there. “Five years ago when I was at Cedarville, I heard someone speak about the summer camp ministry, LIFT. They needed people with technical skills. My ears perked up,” said Chris. Once he finished his electrical engineering degree, he put his skills to work at the ministry. Then in 2009, CIA hosted a Faith-Based First Responders Conference at his church. Denny Nissley, the founder of CIA, shared about the ministry including the dire need for someone with technical skills. Chris remembered praying, “OK God, what are you trying to say?” He knew God was calling him to get involved. Now he works for the disaster relief organization, often drawing on his background and technical training to meet needs quickly and with scant resources. According to Chris, one of the most invaluable things he learned in his engineering classes at Cedarville was how to solve problems. “In my role,” he said, “I am able to use that skill to formulate creative solutions for whatever it is that we come across.” Chris Zitzmann ’05 graduated with an electrical engineering degree and is now the director of information technology for Christ in Action. He lives in Jeffersonton, Virginia, where his hobby is his job — photography and videography. Chris is pleased to report that the homes CIA built in Haiti withstood the wind and rain from Hurricane Tomas. You may contact him at chris@christinaction.com . To learn more about his work with Christ in Action, visit chriszitzmann.com. Kara (Niemotka) Gibbs ’96 is a freelance writer and resides in Cedarville, Ohio, with her husband Brent ’96, son Jake, and dog Donut. You may contact her at karakara31@yahoo.com. “Most Haitians needed proper dwellings even before the earthquake.” stacking panels on flatbeds in Haiti local people eagerly helping watching the construction adding the final touches Cedarville University 21