I am quickly writing this letter to ask for your help for the people who have suffered in Haiti because of the earthquake. We thank the Lord our field coordinators Ed Lockett and Candy Rieger (Northern Haiti) are safe. It is quite a different story for the over 3 million Haitians affected by this earthquake.
Here are some firsthand accounts from our Field Coordinators in Haiti:
“The earth is like a boat to us with its trembling. It’s going to be a very long night. . . I hope. Now we find out where our trust level is. This all came out of nowhere. Thank you for your prayers. The Lord is the only thing not shaking right now.”
“This is scary. Eyes off the quake and onto Jesus.”
“Phones are down. Streets filled with wounded, screaming, confused people. We are trying to stay away from anything that can fall on us.”
“To show you how bad it is, for those of you who have stayed at the hotel in Petit Goave, the church across the street is completely reduced to rubble. The whole area looks like a war zone.”
“I keep hoping to wake up and find this was all a very bad dream, but it’s beginning to seem like it’s real. Phone lines are mostly down so we are unable to communicate even within Haiti. And with no electricity, the radio stations are all out.”
“We are still alive at this point. We spent the night under the stars up in the hills. Didn’t sleep too well. The streets are completely packed with people wandering around. The damage here in Petit Goave is massive. The Happy House is still standing, for the moment, but another house close to us collapsed.”
“We just received news that Pastor Freere’s Church has totally collapsed. I am amazed how drastically things can turn on a dime. Christians here are reaching out to one another.”
“Lots of folks are asking how they can help after praying. I stress that prayer is the first thing. We still don’t know if we’re going to get through this. Aside from that, there will be massive reconstruction needed. A lot of homes, schools and churches caved in right here in our area. Right now it is not feasible to hop on a plane and come down. It’s chaos here and travel is extremely limited.”
Here are some ways you can help:
1. Money for food and emergency aid. For basic needs such as beans, rice, oil, construction material, and medicine.
2. Short-term teams. A short-term team can be put together to work with us in helping the communities rebuild their homes, schools, and churches. We will be setting up dates with specific projects the field has deemed needs the most assistance. If you are interested in leading or participating in a short-term relief team, please contact Missionary Ventures at (407) 859-7322. Ask for the Team Trip Department.
3. Prayer. This item doesn’t need any detailed explanation. There are churches and Bible study groups hosting nights of prayer all over our country for the people of Haiti. Missionary Ventures will endeavor to do all we can with your help, but it is only God who knows the needs of each of the over three million people affected. Please pray for the victims, the relief efforts, and missionaries, for protection, safety, discernment, and wisdom. There is such large scale devastation and suffering, yet with God’s help we will make a difference.
If you can, please help with a one-time gift to meet these basic needs for our brothers and sisters in Haiti. Write your check to Missionary Ventures and designate it for Haiti Relief. Or you can go to our donation page now.
Thank you for your partnership. There is no greater privilege than being God’s hands and feet to His world.
Your prayers and compassion are making a difference in the countless lives affected in Haiti.
Your partner in missions,
Glen Dubois
President, MVI
“Be still and know that I am God; I will be exalted among the Nations, I will be exalted in the earth ! The Lord of host is with us; the God of Jacob is our refuge.” Psalm 46: 10-11