Church of God Leaders Visit Haiti
Raymond Culpepper (third from right) views first hand the devastation caused by the January earthquake in Haiti.
A delegation of Church of God leaders including General Overseer Raymond F. Culpepper, visited earthquake-ravaged Haiti February 5-7. The following account was written by Douglas LeRoy, director of World Missions for the Church of God, who also gives an update of the relief effort and information on casualties and damage.
“I have set before you an open door, and no one can shut it” (Revelations 3:8a).
The Church of God has been in Haiti since 1933, but at no time in its history have we had such an open door – an opportunity to demonstrate God’s love and to share the message of Christ.
On Saturday, February 6, 2010, General Overseer Raymond Culpepper, First Assistant General Overseer Tim Hill, Field Director Fedlyn Beason, Spanish Caribbean Superintendent, Andres Rincon, Communications Coordinator Grady Murphy, ParaMedic Blake Nowell, and I met with the Executive Council of the Church of God in Haiti and the district overseers at our headquarters site. It was a significant meeting of sharing, feeling, listening, and making future plans.
Dr. Culpepper encouraged the ministers and let them know that the Church cares about them, and that we are with them for the “long haul” until their homes and churches are back in place.
While there we erected a new tent for housing and fed hundreds of people who are camped out on the church grounds, many of them are children. Food is delivered to the grounds daily from the Dominican Republic. A large storeroom is stocked with additional supplies. Operation Compassion has also sent medical supplies and thousands of shoes. Tim Hill was almost stampeded as he distributed shoes – what a sight it was.
Twice a day two services are held on the campground. More than 200 persons have been saved. Forty percent of those on the campground site are not Christians.
In our meeting with the church leaders they shared their reports with us. In the days ahead these reports will be updated for a full, accurate, account. However, the information below is what we know at the present time:
2 pastors were killed
5 preachers’ wives are dead
81 members are dead
19 churches have been destroyed
74 churches were damaged
121 homes were destroyed or unusable
Many buildings rented for churches were also destroyed.
We encouraged the ministers, prayed with them, and assured them that medical and construction teams would come as quickly as possible to assist them.
Haiti is a logistic nightmare. There are no hotels or rented facilities for housing people. Many buildings that still stand are badly damaged and will probably need to be torn down. Building supplies are severally limited or non-existent. Before we send teams we have to secure housing and supplies.
We are preparing a tent city to house people who now live on our camp site. This will allow our school and seminary to reopen and provide a housing base for Men and Women of Action Construction teams.
Because of the economical change in Haiti we need to assist students financially to complete the semester. This will cost us $210 per student for 250 students. Perhaps you would like to assist one student. Brother Culpepper, Brother Hill and I have already committed to assist 5 of these students. This project number is 152-9021 .
Blake Nowell, a paramedic from Brandon, Mississippi, will remain in Haiti for the next month to provide medical assistance at the campground and the Destiny Village Orphanage. Our immediate need at the camp site is water and electricity.
We visited four local churches – three were destroyed and the Rue de Centre Church was severely damaged. The church is now conducting its services outside. Two choir members lost their lives when the educational wings of the church collapsed. The choir was practicing. Many were injured.
The La Saline Church, pastored by Fred Bourdeau, collapsed. Eleven people who were inside the building miraculously survived. Brother Bourdeau is the newly appointed overseer replacing Dr. Elysee Joseph who died in the earthquake. His wife is currently staying in the missionary house on the camp site. Financial assistance will be provided to secure her own place.
We were deeply moved by indescribable tragedy, the resilience of the people, and the strong faith in God. We are committed for the “long haul.”
We want to thank you for your offerings and your prayers. World Missions has received $799,632.05. Other funds have been sent to the Caribbean office, to Operation Compassion, and Hope Charitable. The cost of rebuilding will be immense. We will keep you informed of the progress.
Many people have offered to go on teams. We have a list of your names, and we appreciate your offer. However, we are unable to send teams until we have local logistics to handle them.
We do appreciate the visits to Haiti and assistance of Charles Atkins, Hugh Carver, and Greg Ritchie.
I will continue to give guidance to the recovery effort and Dr. Beason will coordinate the local efforts. Two committees have been appointed to assist.
Supplies
Victor Pagan
Dee Raff
Andres Rincon
Construction
Hugh Carver
Richard Baker
Lloyd Frazier
Haiti Earthquake Relief
Project Number 7650042
Douglas LeRoy, General Director
© 2010 Church of God World Missions
