by Jon Konnerup
After making a trip to Haiti at the beginning of April, my heart aches for the Haitian people who have suffered miserably due to the earthquake in January 2010. The country was already poor and needy, but this devastation has put them in a terrible condition. Over 250,000 have died, an overwhelming number of families are homeless, 250,000 homes have been damaged or destroyed, and 30,000 business buildings were toppled.
Many of the deceased are still buried under building rubble. Some Haitians have been displaced to other areas of the country. The U.N. says there are at least 400 tent cities where people now live because their homes are too dangerous to move back into. Many of those whose homes are structurally sound fear sleeping in them in case another earthquake occurs. Businesses have closed because their facilities were damaged. As a result, there are fewer jobs and less money to spend, which, in turn, causes people to look for sustenance from relief agencies. Consequently, this hurts those businesses that are open since people find things for free rather than paying for them. Seems like a vicious cycle.
In addition, many of the churches associated with independent Baptist missionaries have been damaged or destroyed. Church members have died, resulting in numerous funerals, which have been overwhelming to the pastors. Many members have moved or have been displaced by the government because their homes have been destroyed. Most pastors have seen their own homes damaged with some needing to be completely rebuilt. This burden is overwhelming to a people already with little to live on or live in. They are in desperate need. Already, a little over $70,000 of what has been sent through the Mission Office has gone toward initial relief efforts to help people with food and necessary essentials right after the earthquake happened.
Upon arrival in Port Au Prince, our assessment team (made up of pastors, missionaries, and businessmen) was met by BBFI missionary Wes Lane. He immediately took us to visit the national pastors, their church buildings, and homes. He identified projects that needed to be assessed to receive help through the Haitian Relief Fund set up in the BBFI Mission Office. We met with over 50 pastors who expressed their needs. We encouraged them and reassured them we would assist them as we could with the resources we have. They understood that there are needs in other places like Chile, with their earthquake disaster, but that we would do all we could to help them. The interesting thing they shared with us is that most of their churches have grown despite losing members to death and displacement. As one pastor said, “Haitians are looking for answers, and they are finding them in Jesus Christ.” Many have been saved!
Our missionaries, the Lanes, who lived in Port-au-Prince for nine years before moving to the Dominican Republic, and Susan Perkins, were with us to help assess the needs. Lenny Funtecha and his wife, who have served in Haiti for 17 years, are also independent Baptist missionaries from the Philippines with the Asia Baptist Clearinghouse. They worked closely with our team providing clear understanding of the needs of the people. Lenny has directed the Bible institute where most of the independent Baptist pastors affected by the earthquake were trained. Tom Franklin, BBFI missionary to the Dominican Republic, is also helping with some projects to help churches and their pastors.
Initially, we have identified four projects that can be accomplished with the funds already received. We pray God will supply more funds to assist others after these are started and completed. The projects with which we will assist are listed below.
This is only the beginning. Additional church buildings and pastors’ homes have been identified and will receive assistance as the funds become available. At least 16 projects for pastors’ homes and churches are known for immediate assistance. Dozens of others have been presented by other Haitian pastors. It will take years for this country to rebuild and for us to help these leaders and believers. You can help by continuing to give to the Haitian Relief Fund at the BBFI Mission Office.
The Haitian pastors and their churches continue to meet and worship despite their own personal tragedies, and God is moving in amazing ways. Thousands are coming to Christ. We have the opportunity to move the work of the gospel forward in Haiti by providing resources to these pastors through our missionaries on the ground. More missionaries are also needed. Perhaps someone from your church will surrender to go and help spread the truth of Jesus Christ to these desperate people.
Let’s partner together with what God is doing in Haiti. Thank you for your willingness to do what you can. May God be glorified through it all!
CURRENT BBFI PROJECTS:
1. Eglise Baptiste Solidairite – Pastor Lenny Funtecha
- This is the key center for training national leaders.
- We plan to rebuild the building that houses the Bible institute, children’s school, baptistry, and MANNA feeding center. (MANNA has given the funds to tear down the destroyed structures and clean out the debris.)
- The BBFI will initially rebuild the first floor so these ministries can resume their activities.
- The amount to be used to finish the first of two floors has yet to be determined.
2. Eglise Baptiste de La Foi – Pastor Fanel Ducas
- This church has grown in number to an attendance of nearly 200 since the earthquake, thus making it necessary to extend its building.
- We plan to tear down the existing structure damaged by the earthquake, extend the length, and completely rebuild.
- Approximately $25,000 will be given to complete this project.
- If you are interested, check www.BBFImissions.com for team information for this project.
3. Home of Pastor Bores Narcisse – Eglise Baptiste Calvaire Gembal
- The pastor started building this home six years ago as he was able, little by little.
- It will need to be demolished and rebuilt.
- Approximately $25,000 will be given to complete his home.
4. Eglise Baptiste Bon Berger – Pastor Privilon
- Minor structure repairs are needed to the building walls, the outside walls, and the destroyed toilet facilities.
- We plan to tear off the old roof and replace it with a new one.
- Approximately $5,000 will be needed for this.
- One team from the U.S.A. will do the work to replace the roof.
- If interested, check www.BBFImissions.com for team information.
HERE’S HOW YOU CAN HELP RIGHT NOW:
1. Commit today to have a “Heart for Haiti” Sunday at your church on the last Sunday in July.
Two Sundays before, you can show the DVD the Mission Office completed for the May Meeting, and use the bulletin insert available for download on our website under the “Haiti Relief” tab. On Sunday, July 25, 2010, you can receive a special offering. Contact the Mission Office and we will ship a copy of the recently produced DVD to you or you may download it from the website.
2. Go to the Mission Office website at www.BBFImissions.com and look at opportunities for mission trips for your church or skilled individuals. Right now we have the following dates planned for three teams: June 12-19 (rebuild foundation and walls of project #2), June 26–July 3 (replace roof and repair walls and toilet facilities of project #4), and July 10-17 (rebuild roof, complete building, and build benches for project #2). Further trips will be set up for the fall of 2010 as the projects and funds are available.
3. Commit to giving special offerings to help reconstruct Haitian church buildings in the future. Remember, 100 percent of what you send to the Haitian Relief Fund will go toward rebuilding the churches, ministries, and pastors’ homes