Missionaries Report from Haiti

People around the world have been shocked by the images of suffering coming from the nation of Haiti. Reports of the devasation are flooding in from people on the scene. My friend and former pastor, Rev. John Bowers of Grace Fellowship Church in Erie, Pennsylvania, was a missionary in Haiti in the 1980s. He has been receiving reports from his contacts in Haiti and shares his perspective here. 

Please give a short description of your involvement in Haiti over the years.
  
My wife Sue and I, along with our three children, served in Haiti from 1985 to 1987 as on-the-field pastors to missionaries. We had a small school for the children of missionaries, as well as our own. This was administered by Sue. We founded a church, which we later turned over to the Foursquare International denomination.

What are you hearing from your contacts in Haiti?

The devastation is beyond comprehension. Most of the people that I know have reported in and have made it through with minimum injuries. But these are desperate and dangerous times now due to lack of natural resources. Anarchy needs to be prayed against, and the Father God's mercy needs to be released.

I say this as one who lived through times of anarchy in Haiti. A country without proper government and means to enforce the law makes place for the desperate to attack and take life or material things from others. We lived through such a personal attack, losing everything but our very lives. This current disaster will be accompanied with greater desperation than anything to date.

What are some of the immediate needs in the aftermath of this earthquake?

There is a need for money and serious prayer covering of safety and provision for those who are trying to help.

There will also be a need for workers who travel there to not be overcome with grief and emotion, but to know the voice of God and His expectations for them. The needs will be overwhelming and everywhere, so the individuals must learn to do only what they are directed to do, and to get proper rest.

What is the possible impact of disease during this time?

There is a tremendous probability of disease due to a lack of any necessities, water, hygiene items and food. Because of the poverty, there is a feeling of hopelessness and despair. The basic needs are real and many will fall through the cracks or just be unreachable. Seasoned medical emergency teams that also know the power of prayer will make a great difference.

What can people do to help now?
 
Pray and donate to trustworthy compassionate ministries. If you are able to hear God's voice clearly and have emergency skills such as Red Cross disaster training, or are medically qualified, consider hooking up with a like-minded organization such as CBN's Operation Blessing or Samaritan's Purse.

What are the long-term needs of this nation?
 
Haiti needs a great awakening to the True and Living God, Jesus Christ. Then there needs to be a restructuring of this collapsed country. This must include unselfish leadership. This nation has a long and terrible history of ungodly, corrupt leaders. There have been many thousands of social missionaries and they were and are needed. But there has not been nearly enough missionaries who have declared the uncompromised Gospel of God in power and demonstration. This is what is desperately needed.

What is the spiritual condition of the people of Haiti?
 
The Haitian people need to have a real power encounter with the One true Living God, Jesus. A wishy-washy gospel has been no gospel at all in truth, and has inoculated many to the truth. Pray for a great move of love, power and demonstration of the same.

How can believers pray for the situation in Haiti?
 
Pray for God's mercy and for laborers to be thrust forth that have the mercy heart of Father God.

Give to Operation Blessing's Disaster Relief

Related Stories from CBN News:

Organizations Trying to Rush Aid to Haiti

Thousands of Haitians Helpless After Quake

Families Wait to Hear from Loved Ones in Haiti