man-made tragedies
Our brothers and sisters in Haiti and India are facing unspeakable loss. Please use the following information from FM World Missions Hotline to guide your prayers for them.
Global Council of Indian Christians
India > The gruesome violence in Orissa state continues in spite of curfews being imposed in many areas. Please continue to pray for these people impacted in this community. One of our bishops in the country reports this seems to be a dozen times worse than what happened during December 2007.
All of our pastors are missing. Our superintendents were able to call the bishop earlier this week for the first time since the outbreak of violence 10 days ago. They are safe, but hiding in the jungle with their families. Some pastors' family members are missing. Because of the curfew, it is very difficult to move about and search for loved ones.
Global Council of Indian Christians
The bishop says, "It has been the greatest ordeal the Christian church in India has ever faced. Men are killed, women raped and burnt; houses plundered and burnt; churches and Christian offices were destroyed and set on fire. It is madness unleashed.
"Our brothers and sisters in Orissa will need much, much prayer. We do not know for sure how many are killed, and how many of those missing will survive starvation in the jungle if the situation does not return to normalcy soon."
Haiti > Sat., Sept. 13, 7:20 p.m. Report from Missionary Jeanne Acheson-Munos: The death toll stands at 600, while it is estimated that 1,000,000 are left homeless. Our pastors are doing well, and several of them have made it into Port-au-Prince.
We have gotten one truckload of food in to our people in Gonaives. The bridges are out in Montrois and the road closer to the mountains. Our trucks have to go very early in the morning and then wait in a long line of buses and trucks at the edge of the river. I shouldn’t say, maybe, that the bridge in Montrois is out … you can walk across it. So the supplies are unloaded onto wheelbarrows, taken across the “bridge” and loaded onto another truck on the other side.
Dr. Dan Snyder was able to go to Dessalines to check on our hospital there, which at one point was crowded with patients. The people have returned to the nearby countryside, but when the waters recede more in Gonaives (25 miles away), there is an expected influx of people again. Dr. Dan then went to Gonaives, walking through high water. He visited with the pastors and encouraged them.
Jack, the Snyders, Dr. Jerry Rusher, Dr. Gary Stanley, and Kristin Ross (a videographer) went to Dessalines tonight to continue on their journey to Gonaives tomorrow. When I talked with Jack the first time, they had just crossed over the river; it took them 8 hours to go 97 miles. When I talked with him again, there were 8 of them riding in the back of the caged truck, owned by our Superintendent Delamy Bazilme. They were sharing the space with bags of rice, charcoal, other supplies and luggage. Needless to say, they were very, very tired.
This afternoon, I discovered that the South district is also out of easy reach. The bridge is out south of Port, so people have to do the same as they do at Montrois. This of course makes plans to help repair damage very slow in the making. Many of our schools and churches are in need of roofs and other repairs. Many, many members’ homes are damaged and many are destroyed.
We are asking for continued prayer and support. 2004’s hurricane left part of the country damaged … now it is the whole country. Please pray for wisdom, discernment, safety, supplies and financial help to come to this country. Please pray that this will be another step in turning people to the one true God through Jesus Christ.
For His kingdom to fully come to Haiti and the world,
Jeanne and Jack Munos
Haiti > Wed., Sept. 3, 7:20 p.m. Report from Missionary Jeanne Acheson-Munos: We are so grateful for all of your prayers. We have heard from many of you who have said you are praying for Haiti during this very difficult time. I just talked with a pastor whose family is without food and water. The clothes on their backs is all they have left. He said, "Can you help us?" Sadly, I told him that at this time we cannot get in and they cannot get out. Many people, including our pastors, have been on the roofs of their houses for more than 36 hours. One pastor had a little sugar and has been mixing it with the rain water for his family.
One of our pastors was standing in his yard when his wall broke. The water rushed in and took him out in a rush. Several people jumped in and pulled him from the waters. He is covered with scratches, but is doing OK. BUT he lost his house and everything else.
I asked Pastor Desvariste if someone could come from the north down. He said there is no way to get in. So I asked if UN (United Nations) help had arrived. He said the church people do not get anything because when aid is brought, there is so much fighting to get the food.
So we have a big problem. The superintendents are meeting on Friday, Sept. 5, with the missionaries to see what we can all do. We need your prayers. We need God's wisdom, creative thoughts, and His plans - step by step. Pray for our precious people who are suffering so much. One of our students' sisters has not eaten for three days. This is representative of thousands.
Sept. 3, Report from Munos - Gustav: A pastor in Port-au-Prince has been trying to keep up with the situation in Gonaives. He couldn't even remain on the phone. The pastors are calling to report that the rain is continuing; the floods are continuing; people are drowning; there is no food, no potable water, and due to not being able to charge phones, we are losing contact. The pastors are crying for prayer.
Wed., Sept. 3, Snyder Report: Hurricane Hanna has hit the Dessalines Hospital area. There are also a number of FM churches in the community. There has been massive flooding and loss of property. We still have not been able to contact four of our pastors who were trapped, as of Sept. 2, on the roofs of their houses with their families. We would appreciate your prayers.
Tues., Sept. 2, Report from Munos: One superintendent estimates the situation looks much like it did in Sept. 2004 after Hurricane Jeanne. People are in great need of prayer. Churches have been damaged. Several schools sustained severe damage. Many houses have been blown away, gardens were ruined and many of the animals are dead.
Pray: Pray for superintendents as they encourage their pastors and members. Pray for pastors as they make decisions how to continue the schools. Please pray God will grant guidance at the meeting tomorrow. Pray Dessalines Hospital will be able to get the needed medicines and supplies.
Read more church news in our latest online edition of Light & Life magazine. Did you know you can have Light & Life delivered to your home FREE? If you attend a Free Methodist Church and aren’t receiving our denomination’s award-winning discipleship tool, talk to your local church staff about how to start your subscription!
