We have finally heard from Compassion in Haiti about the devastating earthquake there. Whilst we are thankful that Bedline was not injured in this earthquake, our hearts go out to all who have suffered loss at this time. Please continue to pray for these families and for the ongoing work of Compassion in this area. Below is the text of the email we received today.
As the Vice President of the Latin America and Caribbean Region for Compassion, I have seen how the devastating earthquake that hit Haiti on 14 August has come and gone from the news cycle — faster than most people had time to register it had even taken place. That is why I am thankful I can give you a personal update on the developing situation.
Stories of loss
The earthquake took more than 2,200 precious lives – each one a beloved child, grandchild, sibling, parent, grandparent or friend. Among them were 16 children supported by Compassion — their young lives, full of potential, cut devastatingly short; as well as another 78 lives of caregivers and siblings of children and families we work with through our local Haitian church partners. Those whose sponsored children have been affected have been contacted directly.
The impact of such trauma and is ongoing. People are afraid to go home; afraid to cook in their kitchens; afraid to sleep in their beds – that trauma can have a real impact on both the children and their caregivers.
Stories of hope
However, amid the tragedy, there are so many positive stories to share – stories of the Haitian people’s resilience in the face of a crisis, and how the church is growing stronger and more responsive. We choose to keep moving, to fight, to find hope and help our fellow neighbours.
After the earthquake of 2010 and Hurricane Matthew in 2016, one of the most important things Compassion has done for the community is work with our local church partners to re-build, using para-seismic standards to stand up to future storms and earthquakes.
When visiting a church in Torbeck, after Hurricane Matthew, we saw that a school had collapsed. We went in and rebuilt the classrooms where the children gather for their Compassion activities.
In 2010, we relied on foreign engineers and technicians to build the schools that had been destroyed, because we had a hard time finding that competency in the country; but in 2016, we used the Haitian engineers who had learned from the expatriate engineers.
Fast forward five years; after this most recent earthquake, that same school building still stands when those around it have crumbled. We praise God for the work that we were able to do.
We can make a difference
Together we can make a difference and together we are indeed making a difference. We have the foundations for change, but we need support.
I strongly believe that the church worldwide has an opportunity to come alongside fellow believers to bring about effective change. Supporting the immediate needs of children and families but also building on the foundations that have already been laid to protect families for the future.
Amid the despair around us, as Christians, we can be the arms and the feet of Jesus, we can make a difference in the lives of many. This, for me, is what gives me hope in the midst of tragedy.
Please pray with us
We would love for you to join us in prayer at this time. We’ve collected some suggested points, but please pray as you feel led.
- Pray for comfort for children and families, and that Compassion’s response will bring much-needed help to the communities we serve. Pray for those who are grieving in the wake of this disaster.
- Pray for all the local church staff members and the four Partnership Facilitators living in the area who are accounting for families and providing support while also dealing with how the earthquake impacted their own families.
- Pray that the fuel shortage that has affected the country over the last year will not impact getting needed supplies into the area.
- Pray for those who need medical attention that they will be able to get the care they need and that the medical teams will have the supplies they need.
- Pray for the safety of the region. It has been unsafe to travel in the region for the past months because of gang violence and political instability.
- Pray for protection for the national office staff members who are travelling to the area to provide support.
- Pray for the Compassion Haiti staff as this earthquake brings back memories of the traumatic 2010 earthquake in the Port-au-Prince area. Ask God to bring comfort and peace to their hearts and minds.
- Pray for all those involved in the rebuilding process. Pray that the expertise to build structures that can withstand any future earthquakes or hurricanes would come to the fore, which can help protect buildings and ultimately children and families.
Bondye beni w [God bless you],
Edouard Lassegue
Vice President of Latin America and the Caribbean
