Although many things rightfully concern us here and call for our prayerful attention — our families, our church, our community, our nation — heart-breaking stories keep coming in, detailing the disastrous conditions present in Haiti. The needs in Haiti are almost incomprehensible for those who enjoy the comforts of life in the United States. Even for the people of Haiti their present suffering far surpasses their normal destitute way of life.
Perhaps the hardest hit area from the four hurricanes (Fay, Gustav, Hannah and Ike) that have ravaged that island in the past 30 days, is Gonaives. This city, on Haiti’s northwest coast, is only 65 miles due west of CPC’s supported work in Bohoc, Haiti. Bohoc is located in the high central plateau of Haiti and is home to the Haitian American Friendship Foundation (HAFF) and the destination of CPC’s mission team next month. The steep mountains that separate the plateau from the coast mean that HAFF usually gets lots and lots of rain, but places like Gonaives get deadly mudslides and flooding.
For decades now there have been serious doubts that the area around Gonaives could be revived ecologically. The terrain has looked much more like a desert than the tropics. During the past 20 years the mountains have been stripped bare of trees to make charcoal for cooking. Almost nothing exists to stop the run-off when heavy rains come. That story of consequences does not make it any easier for those in the midst of misery, loss, hunger and death. Please pray for these people.
The main highway between Haiti’s two largest cities, Port au Prince in the south and Cap Haitien in the north, has been “washed out.” That highway used to run through Gonaives. Now the city is “cut off” and is like a flooded island making access difficult for rescuers with supplies.
More and more traffic, including trucks with relief supplies, is attempting to travel by the other main north and south road, National Highway 3, which runs right through Bohoc. The term “highway” for this deeply rutted dirt road, with untrustworthy bridges at some points and precarious river fording passages at other points, is quite an overstatement!
Please pray that the God of all comfort (2 Cor. 1:3) will comfort the people of Haiti. Pray for our brothers and sisters in Christ there. Pray for ministry leaders, like the Van Schoycks at HAFF, in Haiti as they are now challenged with new obstacles. Pray for those workers involved in the direct relief operations and decision making, that the Lord will equip them with Godly wisdom. Pray for the preparation and productivity of CPC’s team as they go in October.
Please know that your participation in the “Combat Clorox Campaign” is a very needed
and tangible way to help. Nickels, dimes and quarters add up, especially with the addition of the pledged matching funds, and are a real expression of the loving nature of our Savior Jesus Christ.
ALL RELIEF MONIES FOR HAITI THROUGH OUR “COMBAT CLOROX HUNGER” CAMPAIGN MUST BE TURNED IN BY SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 28 TO QUALIFY FOR THE MATCHING FUNDS. THANKS.
Pastor Mullinax