A Prayer in the Street

Pastor Sony of the Defontaines church was in Port-au-Prince when we returned. He was in his home when the flooding started. The force of the current against the door prevented them from exiting the home so he and a brother and their father escaped from his house through a window and were able to get to his roof. From his roof top he watched helplessly as many of his neighbors swept by waving their hands and calling for help. The Defontaines church lost 13 people, 9 of whom were children.

We also happened on the wife of the La Source Bayonnais pastor. She said she had heard nothing from the Bayonnais people. She and the pastor were in Gonaives during the flood. Her husband is suffering from a foot injury. Many were lacerated by roof tin swirling around in the waters.

Prior to leaving Pastor Placide and Pastor Dufrene we had a short time of prayer right in the street. Pastor Lucien prayed for the survivors in Gonaives and for the church members and that many would be drawn to Christ through this disaster. I left a couple hundred dollars with Pastor Dufrene and asked that he use it to help his neighbors, needy pastors and church members. We assured him that many are already asking what can be done to help and that we would do all that we could to direct assistance their way as it became available. We left him with all the extra water bottles that we had brought, a bag full of sandwiches and some apples we had brought for lunches. Pastor Dufrene appeared visibly lifted and relieved by our visit. Pastor Placide told us that "we're never alone with God, but your coming has made us feel that somebody out there beyond the carnage cares."

I left a couple of Haitel phone cards with Pastor Dufrene so that we can continue to keep in contact. I asked him to make a serious effort to contact as many pastors as possible and report back to me. I will be meeting with the Compassionate Ministries committee Wednesday to finalize strategic planning.