from orlandosentinel.com:
"A group of students on a mission in Haiti, rescued with the help of the military and private donations, returned safely to Orlando early today greeted by banners, balloons and more than 100 well-wishers.
It was a carnival-like atmosphere at Orlando International Airport as the weary travelers passed through Customs and into the eager arms of friends and family. As the 44 missionaries – many affiliated with Baptist churches or schools in Orlando, Winter Garden and Oviedo – walked into the terminal, the crowd cheered and cried.
Carol Grosshans was on hand to meet her daughter Faith, 15, who also was greeted by her brother John and sister Joy. A big teddy bear wearing a "Take Me Home" sign and a dozen pale peach and pink roses were among Faith's welcome-home gifts.
"What she really wanted was Chick-Fil-A," said Grosshans, principal at The First Academy's middle school. The academy is affiliated with First Baptist Church of Orlando.
About 80 U.S. citizens who also got stuck in Haiti after Tuesday's 7.0 earthquake were airlifted out with the missionaries, said Carrie Hoeppner, a spokeswoman for the Florida Department of Children and Families. Department officials were on hand to offer cash and hotel rooms until the travelers could figure out a game plan.
The rescue began Friday when six helicopters – three private and three belonging to the U.S. Army – flew the missionaries to the Dominican Republic, said Tim DeTellis, president of New Missions, the Orlando-based group that sponsored the mission trip. The group had been stranded in Leogane, a city 20 miles west of Port-au-Prince, the nation's capital.
Later, a chartered 737 airplane, paid for with donations from families in The First Academy, completed the trip home. It touched down shortly before midnight.
Several Florida politicians, including both the state's senators, hand a hand in the rescue.
"I feel grateful, and I feel humble knowing so many people worked so hard to get my daughter home to me," said Debbie Coan of Windermere, whose daughter Taylor, 17, was on the flight.
Allison Starcher, 17, who attends The First Academy, said surviving the hurricane was a peaceful experience. Afterward, people got together and prayed, and Haitian villagers could be heard singing songs of praise to God.
"I've never felt God's presence as much as I did then," said Allison, who plans to go back to Haiti eventually.
Her mother, Linda Starcher, who was a chaperone on the trip, said people didn't know at first what was happening. Then, "the earth opened up." Grateful to be almost home, Starcher said early today that she was looking forward to a shower and time with family.
Each group member was allowed to bring home one backpack or bag, forcing everyone to leave many belongings behind. Their mission had been to proselytize and deliver more than 7,000 shoeboxes containing items such as teddy bears, toothpaste and toothbrushes, pencils, candy and playing cards to children in the impoverished nation. New Missions operates schools there.
Newlyweds Jean Compas, 52, and Dacia Shillingford-Compas, 31, were visiting family when the house they were staying began to shake. They were among the group being cared for by the Department of Children and Families and were grateful to be alive and on their way home to Boston.
"Mostly, I'm thankful to God for those who lived, and I'm also thankful to God for those he called to heaven," Compas said. "You can never judge God for what he does."
First Baptist Church of Orlando is planning a fundraiser, a concert and comedy show, to benefit relief efforts in Haiti. The show is Sunday at 6 p.m. at the church."
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