On January 12, 2010, Haiti was rocked by a catastrophic earthquake with a magnitude of 7.0—and then by 52 aftershocks measuring 4.5 or greater. All told, nearly three million people were affected. The Haitian government reported that an estimated 316,000 people had died, 300,000 had been injured, and 1,000,000 were homeless. They also estimated that 250,000 homes and 30,000 commercial buildings had collapsed or were severely damaged. Many countries responded to appeals for humanitarian aid, dispatching rescue and medical teams, engineers, and support personnel. Ronald James McMiller Jr., a career naval officer, was spending the evening with his family when he heard the news, and he immediately knew he had to help. The naval command where he was stationed helped pave the way. In a morning meeting, McMiller’s commander told him to start making plans for a Joint Maritime Preposition Operation (ships that are preloaded in case of a worldly event that needs immediate attention). He was both anxious and nervous—and he had no idea what he was getting himself into. My 34-Day Memoir of Haiti is a compilation of McMiller’s journal entries from his time in Haiti. It offers a glimpse of the tragedies and horrors he witnessed, the people who touched his heart, and the inspiration he gained from the sight of volunteers from all over the world working together with one mission in mind: helping others in times of need. Even when you sleep among the campfires, the wings of my dove are sheathed with silver, its feathers with shining gold. (Psalms 68:13)

Ronald James McMiller Jr. is a United States Navy career sailor who advanced from enlisted to officer ranks. He has sailed over three-quarters of the world and has visited over 50 countries. He lives in Norfolk, Virginia, with his wife Karen and three kids.