Credit: Phuong Tran/IRIN
We have received some encouraging news from our workers and partners connected with Haiti, and thank God for these signs of hope:
Phillip and Vivienne Hatton, who are pastoring a church in Brussels, report that the two Haitian families in their congregation have heard that all their close family members are alive, although some are living on the streets. The two families are still very concerned about other more distant relatives and friends, and are still very upset to see the pictures on TV of all the places they know. Please continue to pray with them.
BMS partner, the Jamaica Baptist Union (JBU), has four partner churches in Haiti and all their members and their families are accounted for. However, some of their relatives, neighbours and friends have sadly been killed by the earthquake.
The JBU had been involved in constructing a church in the Kafab community in Haiti and the building has withstood the earthquake. Sadly all the surrounding homes collapsed, except one in close proximity to the church. The residents are thanking God not only for sparing their lives, but also for the church building. Over ten families are presently being housed there.
Jamaican Baptists are helping in the relief efforts by collecting canned food, bottled water and money. A service of solidarity was held on Sunday 17 January 2010 by Boulevard Baptist Church in Kingston.
Thank God for the generosity of our brothers and sister in the Caribbean who are responding with aid. Pray that those in need would receive help and that families, homes and communities can be rebuilt soon.
14/01/2010
An earthquake has hit Haiti and many are feared dead. Reports say that the quake, which struck south of the capital Port-au-Prince on Tuesday 12 January, is the country’s worst for two centuries.
BMS partner Haiti Hospital Appeal (HHA) is based in Cap Haitian, several hundred miles to the north of Port-au-Prince, and has not been affected – all their personnel are safe and well.
However, many family and friends of staff live in and around Port-au-Prince and, as yet, there is very little news circulating within Haiti itself.
Naturally, people are frantic to hear from their loved ones.
Many people have been left without basics of food and water, and those injured are struggling to find medical help.
HHA will be working to alleviate suffering from the earthquake in the days to come.
Haiti Hospital Appeal asks for prayer:
- For the safety and wellbeing of the people of Port-au-Prince.
- For justice for the country of Haiti, especially for the poorest. Many are anxious in particular about the prospect of a troubled state being further weakened in its own efforts to support its citizens, and a consequent rise in lawlessness.
- For fairness in the aid and support which is currently being promised, in particular that other parts of this poor nation might not be disadvantaged as a result of the necessary and inevitable focus on the capital city.
- That out of this disaster an increasing awareness might emerge of the needs of this troubled country.
Baptist World Aid (BWAid), the relief and development arm of the Baptist World Alliance (BWA), is co-ordinating the Baptist response in Haiti.
BMS World Mission is supporting this as the most effective route for Baptists to share in the relief effort. Any relief donations given to BMS for the disaster in Haiti will, in the first instance, be passed on to BWAid as a grant.
The way we respond will be determined by the specific needs they express to us.
Click here to go to our relief appeal page where you can download a PowerPoint from the box on the right.
Phillip and Vivienne Hatton, BMS mission workers pastoring a French-speaking church in Brussels, also ask for prayer – two Haitian families in their church are anxiously waiting for news of their families.
Pray for the two families in Brussels waiting for news, that God would give them peace.