I know some of you have probably been keeping up on the situation in Haiti through Facebook or through our Global Reach email updates, but I wanted give you an update today. It’s been quite a week.
I know the happenings in Haiti don’t often capture the attention of our national news media outlets, so some of you may be unaware of the recent unrest in Haiti. This article from Thursday’s edition of the Miami Herald gives an explanation of the current crisis facing Haiti: https://www.miamiherald.com/news/nation-world/world/americas/haiti/article226169345.html
This morning, Mike VanDervort, executive director of Project Help Haiti posted this update via Facebook. It provides a brief summary of the events this week related to our staff with Project Help Haiti:
“It has been quite a week. Dawn and I, along with Rod Ayers left Pierre Payen last Saturday to meet three teams arriving in Port au Prince. On the way to Port we had to wait for the police to clear two roadblocks. A little tense at one roadblock, they hit the van with their hands and demanded money to let us through. The police showed up and all the guys at the roadblock ran off. We made it to the airport and were able to pick up our teams and get them to Lakay Poze, our refuge.
“Things in Haiti continued to get worse. Roadblocks throughout the entire country brought everything to a halt. We made the decision to get all of the teams back to the States. The last team got out on Sunday.
“The next major decision was to get our staff in Borel to Pierre Payen. We saw a window of opportunity and thanks to Watson Joseph and Romeo that was accomplished. On their way to Pierre Payen they were stopped at several roadblocks. There were some tense moments, but they made it safely to Pierre Payen.
“Meanwhile Rod, Dawn and I were stuck in Port with no way to join the staff in Pierre Payen. We spent a lot of time in prayer asking God for protection and especially for wisdom as we made decisions that would affect many lives. We were in constant contact with CGGC Global Reach director Ben Tobias and he was part of all of the decisions we made.
“After much prayer the decision was made to get all of our American staff to the States until things cool down in Haiti. That was not an easy decision and was made with a lot of prayer, discussion and sad hearts. We will return to Haiti as soon as we possibly can.
“Haiti and her people are suffering. Skyrocketing inflation has driven the price of everything higher and higher. The people are tired, many are sick and most are hungry. Please continue to pray for Haiti and her people. God is the answer for hope in Haiti and for her future.
“We and the Ayres fly out later today. Again, you prayers are needed and greatly appreciated.”
The Hosler family returned to the U.S last evening and the VanDervorts and Ayers are scheduled to fly to the U.S late this afternoon. We are grateful that throughout this difficult time, God has kept our staff safe and protected.
There are a couple specific ways in which you can help at this time.
First and foremost is to be in prayer.
- First of all, give thanks for God’s protection and provision for our U.S. staff in Haiti. We are grateful for the way in which God has protected them and provided for them during this difficult time.
- Continue to pray for the U.S. staff members of Project Help Haiti: the Hoslers, the Ayers and the VanDervorts. They’ve been through quite the ordeal this past week and now have to navigate being uprooted for a season. Pray for God’s continued protection and provision in their lives as they deal with the long-term implications of this crisis.
- Pray for Global Reach director Ben Tobias and Project Help Haiti executive director Mike VanDervort as they continue to assess the situation in Haiti and determine how best to proceed with our ministry there. Our U.S. staff wants to return to Haiti as soon as it is feasible and we want to make wise decisions in this process. We also want to help give wise counsel to teams and partner churches concerning upcoming trips to Haiti.
- Pray for our Haitian staff with Project Help Haiti. This would include Dr. Ronald Joseph and Pastor Watson Joseph at Pierre Payen and the other medical personnel and staff at the medical work in Pierre Payen as well as the rest of the staff at Pierre Payen and Borel. We are grateful for their dedicated and sacrificial work and our hearts are grieved by the current difficulties that they are facing.
- Pray for our Haitian brothers and sisters in the Haitian Conference of the Churches of God. Pray for Pastor Denis Droicin, President of the Haitian Conference and Pastor Luc Jacob, Vice President of the Haitian Conference as they give leadership to our congregations during this difficult time. Pray that the Holy Spirit would empower them in this moment to bear a great witness to the reality of the Gospel of Jesus Christ.
- Pray for the country of Haiti and the Haitian people. Things are typically very difficult in Haiti, but the present crisis has made things even more severe. Pray that God would bring peace and flourishing to the people of Haiti and that the Haitian people would find their hope in Jesus and embrace His great love for them.
In addition to prayer, there have been financial expenditures associated with the evacuation of our U.S. staff. If you would like to assist with this and with other costs associated with this crisis, please give to the Haiti Emergency fund. You can use this link: https://secure.cggc.org/haiti-emergency-gr-9300-one-time-donation. Or write your check out to “CGGC” with “GR 9300-Haiti” on the memo. (Send to CGGC, PO Box 926, Findlay, OH 45839.) Thank you for your prayers and generosity!
Christ’s Peace,
Lance
CGGC eNews—Vol. 13, No. 7