The largest earthquake ever recorded in the region hit 10 miles from the Haitian capital of Port au Prince on Tuesday. The death toll is expected to be over 100,000. As the poorest country in the western hemisphere, the people are suffering devastaing losses.
Two disciples and two children from the church have died and the Port au Prince church building is destroyed along with many homes. See below for what we know at the moment. Disciples Today will keep you posted on news of disciples in Haiti and how you can help. See the rest of this story for an update from Stanley Dumornay.
From Wilner Cornely (planted the church in Haiti), Chicago:
So far this is what we know. Jorel Claude who leads the work there was out when it happened but his wife and his their two boys were able to get out of their house before it went down. As of now they are fine but we don’t know about their living situation. The church building is destroyed and so far 2 disciples have died that we know of. I will news to you as I get it.
From Stanley Dumornay (former leader of Haitian churches), New York:
Very little is known besides what we are getting on the news. The extent of the damage is not known. I have not been able to get to my family nor to anyone from the church. What we know is that many buildings have been damaged and many people are hurt and many people are trapped. One sister from the church in Canada was able to get to her husband, who is a disciple and a physician on the board of HOPE-Haiti. Unfortunately he is hurt badly as the office he works in was destroyed. He is seeking medical attention. As soon as I get more info I will pass it on. Thanks for your concerns, support and prayers.
We were able to speak to a Haitian disciple who lives in the Dominican Republic and he told us that all the leaders are ok though most have lost their home. He was able to make contact with a disciple in Haiti via the internet (all phone lines are down.) They confirmed that now two disciples have died and two children from the church. Of those who passed away a brother lost his wife and his two children. Another brother lost his mother. Many disciples have been wounded and they are seeking medical attention. Many have lost their home. Please continue to pray that we can get some solid communication going to assess the needs as they are great with each passing moment. We will keep you posted as we get up to date information. Angel Martinez is helping to see how we can work together to gather information and move forward.
(Praise God, Stanley's grandparents are now safe in Port au Prince.)
Click here for an update on the Port au Prince Church news:
Haitian Disciples Serving Others on Site of Collapsed Church Building
From Fred Haight, (dentist who leads Haitian Support), Dallas:
Here is what I know for sure.
1. The lead evangelist Jorel and his wife and kids are safe but their home was destroyed.
2. There are 2 members of the church who have been reported dead.(The membership of the church is 300 adults)
3. The church building(which was owned by the church) was destroyed.
4. The airport is shut down
5. Ground transportation is not possible
6. Help is being flown in via helicopter
7. A member of the church and a physician and board member of HOPE-Haiti (a benevolent arm of the church) was hurt badly as the office he works in was destroyed.
If you would like to help please send a check to
Haitian Support
6317 Preston Rd Ste 500
Plano, Texas 75024
Or donate online: www.haitiansupport.org or www.hopeww.org
Please click here and be praying for all those affected and for our eight Haitian churches and the other churches in the Caribbean who are under tsunami warnings.
