Haitian Christians: Rejoicing in the Midst of Suffering 

Bibles International Director Hantz Bernard has returned safely from his homeland of Haiti. He reports that in spite of the devastation there, believers are rejoicing. Of the 20 or so churches associated with our parent organization, Baptist Mid-Missions, all but one of them is still standing. Among believers associated with those churches, the death toll is relatively low; only about 12 people are confirmed dead, although some are still missing. He reports that in some cases, spontaneous prayer meetings have been held in the streets. The Bernards are rejoicing that all of their immediate family members are safe. 

Because of the tremendous numbers of aftershocks, people are living in their yards or their neighbors’ yards. On Wednesday evening, January 20, believers met in the yard of one of our associates, Pastor Pierre-Pierre, for a prayer meeting. Even those whose houses are still standing are sleeping outside in tents because of the frequent rumblings of the earth. 

Believers are reaching out to help others, even though they may have lost family members. One medical doctor, whose father died in the rubble of his home, buried him in her yard because there were no services available, and then she reached out to others, in spite of her own grief. Another MD went to work in her yard, caring for those with major medical needs with nothing but a tarp over her head to protect the patients and herself from the sun. 

Almost immediately following the first major quake, leaders of the Baptist Church Association, the CEBI, gathered to strategize ways in which they could be of service to fellow believers, as well as those who are outside the family of faith. Pray for them as they seek to follow the Lord’s leading in meeting the urgent needs of their fellow Haitians. 

Pastor Pierre-Pierre’s church is working toward buying the building next door to the church. They still need to pay approximately 30% of the cost before taking possession of it. There is a real desire among those in this congregation to finish paying for the building, so that the medical doctors in the congregation might run a clinic there. 

Baptist pastors are eagerly awaiting the arrival of the comfort and witness brochures prepared by Bibles International for victims of this disaster, using verses from the recently published Creole New Testament. The church leaders plan to use them in their outreach ministries. Pray that Bibles International will find a way to get them safely into the hands of these pastors. 

The president of Haiti says 170,000 people have perished. A civic organization claims they have confirmed 112,392 deaths. Hospitals have been destroyed, as have schools and universities. Many of the government ministries are destroyed, such as the ministry department set to deal with crises. In many cases, the most highly educated citizens perished while working in government buildings. Many medical school students as well as nursing students perished in their schools of education, as did many in the universities. It seems as if almost an entire generation of the most highly trained people has been lost. There is still much work to be done in order to restore this country. The prime minister states it will take 3-5 years to rebuild it. 

Opportunities for Giving

If you wish to be involved in giving through a trust-worthy organization you may choose one of the following: 

• You may donate for the comfort and witness project and for the Creole Bible translation ministry of Bibles International at 609 36^th St SE, Grand Rapids MI 49548. Gifts may also be given through PayPal, at www.biblesint.org. Please designate the gifts to the Haiti Creole Project. You may call BI at 616-942-7712 with any questions.
• You may donate to the World Relief Fund-Haiti at Baptist Mid-Missions, www.bmm.org, or PO Box Box308011, Cleveland OH 44130-8011. Questions or telephone calls may be addressed to Mr. Larry Beckman’s attention at 440-826-3930. Questions or telephone calls may be addressed to Mr. Larry Beckman’s attention at 44-826-3930.
• Good News Baptist Church (GNBC) in Grand Rapids MI has set up a Haiti Relief Funds as well (www.gnbcgr.org) at 6830 Eastern Ave SE, Grand Rapids MI 49508. The funds will be distributed by GNBC in cooperation with the leadership of BI for the interests of BI and BI related-people in Haiti. Questions concerning this opportunity may be directed to be the senior pastor, Karl Pike at 616-455-0420.
 

Thank you for your interest in our friends, brethren, and partners in ministry in Haiti during this, one of the most trying times in their history. Pray with us that this disaster will open many opportunities of ministry. “It is of the Lord’s mercies that we are not consumed, because his compassions fail not. They are new every morning; great is thy faithfulness” (Lam. 3:22, 23).