News
Haiti Food Relief Effort
[Editor’s Note: The following is a letter from a pastor at an ICM partner church in Haiti—republished from their Web site—describing the church’s initial outreach, the delivery of food and supplies to earthquake victims. While these outreach efforts are encouraging, be advised that the letter also presents the severity and magnitude of Haitians’ plight in detail.]
A message from Pastor Ignace Augustin, Bethanie, Evangelical Mission of Haiti.
“Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.” (Phil 4:6-7)
On Friday, January 15, we went on a relief mission to Port-au-Prince. We were accompanied by two vehicles, including a van, and ten people from our main church in Les Cayes. Our mission was to distribute food and much needed supplies such as rice, beans, bread, matches, candles, water, spaghetti, clothes, shoes.
What you have seen on TV is not even a third of the destruction in Port-au-Prince. Everything is completely destroyed. Rich as well as poor people are dead. Big buildings two, three and four stories high have completely collapsed—with damaged cars peeking through the rubble. Everything is disorganized and nonexistent—no medicine, no government, no police. Stores are looted as a result of people searching for food. Everything is turned upside down in Port-au-Prince. And how long will it be like this? Nobody knows.
When we arrived in Port-au-Prince, our first stop was at our Bethanie church. This particular church doesn’t have a church building. The growing membership of 250 has been meeting in a house. The house is still standing but has suffered some structural damage such as cracks throughout the building. In fact, when the earthquake hit, the pastor had a wall fall on him and his leg is broken. The day after the earthquake, we sent our driver to pick him up, along with his family, and he is currently receiving care in a hospital in Les Cayes.
We were able to give our church members some of these supplies before we headed out to other areas in Port-au-Prince. After helping out the people from our church, we went to seven refugee camps. We distributed everything we had brought with us.
Everybody in Port-au-Prince is sleeping on the street. They are afraid to step inside a building. We noticed that they blocked the street and allowed some minimal space only for cars to go through. They cook on the street, wash themselves on the street with the use of sheets for some shade and privacy.
They are waiting for us to come back. We would like to return next week and bring more supplies such as food, clothes, water, and everything that would be beneficial and helpful. In order to bring a bigger bus to Port-au-Prince like we’re planning on doing, we’ll have get gas. Gas is expensive and you can’t even find it in Les Cayes. When you do find it in the black market, it costs about $30 in U.S currency. I will be sending Jean-Marie to Miragoane to buy some, in hope to continue the effort that we’re doing. In our Sunday morning service, we will be asking our congregation to help by having them bring shoes, clothes, and everything else to help.
We want to thank everyone who is praying and giving to help the needy in Haiti. God bless each of you.
