Prayers and Support for Haiti

No doubt our hearts have been touched by the tragic and disturbing images that have been emerging out of Haiti. Based on my own personal experience, communication with this island nation is difficult on a day-by-day basis, and we are only beginning to get a grasp (if that is even possible!) on the magnitude of this disaster. Hundreds of thousands are feared dead, buildings throughout the Port-au-Prince area have been reduced to rubble, and there is an overwhelming need for humanitarian aid.

This is a great opportunity for Christian organizations to step up and attempt to meet the physical and spiritual needs of the Haitian people. I spoke Wednesday with a representative of the OMS International organization, which has 2 facilities in the capital and bases its operation in Cap-Haitien, which experience a minimal amount of damage - this is where 4VEH Radio is located - pray they would be a light in communicating the gospel during this dark time. The website for the ministry is http://www.omsinternational.org/.

As you may be aware, a number of Christian groups are involved in the nation, and there has been concern about the safety and even whereabouts of various missionaries within the nation. Groups that are on the ground in Haiti are potentially equipped to partner with other organizations to provide needed assistance. For instance, Baptist Haiti Mission is partnering with Samaritan's Purse to identify and address areas of need. You can find out more by going to http://www.samaritanspurse.org/.

We have long spotlighted the work of World Vision (http://www.worldvision.org/) and Compassion International (http://www.compassion.com/), two organizations who have been driven by Christ's love and equipped to reach out in disasterous times.

Here is an .mp3 audio file from an interview with a representative of Compassion:

Numerous organizations are making special requests for assistance. Through its ServantMatch program, the Evangelical Council for Financial Accountability is providing a list of its member organizations who are offering ways for people to get involved in meeting the tremendous needs in Haiti. Their website is http://www.ecfa.org/, and I trust you will find the list helpful.

Continue to be in prayer for the people of Haiti, and even in this time of unspeakable destruction, that the gospel would be shared effectively and people would be reached in a powerful way with the love of Christ.