This week, I find myself taking a step back from my usual sharing about the Dominican Republic and focusing on supporting dear friends of mine as they navigate ministry in light of recent events in Haiti.

Violence in Haiti has drastically increased this week, causing Haiti to call a state of emergency due to gang leaders releasing an estimated 4,000 prisoners and seizing all governmental buildings within it’s capital, Port-Au-Prince. It is estimated that there are over 100 different gangs in Port-Au-Prince alone and that the gangs have now overtaken nearly 80% of the capital’s territory. Haitian gangs have seized the airport in the capital, meaning all airlines have been forced to cancel all incoming and outgoing flights.

Despite the devastating circumstances that have occurred this week, God’s mercy and faithfulness have been shown to those who remain hopeful and expectant of His merciful justice for Haiti. Reports from field staff from His Light For Haiti continue to come in with updates. While HLFH has been forced to readjust their ministry approach by continuing Good News Clubs, school education and classes for adults in an “underground” fashion, people continue to be provided meals and reached with the word of God.

Please keep Janet = Jeff Grant and Laurie and Bill Sheppard in your prayers this week as they travel to attend numerous zoom meetings with Haitian ministry partners for His Light For Haiti as they discuss plans and make decisions that will greatly impact the ministry and the people they serve.

To better know how to pray for Haiti, here are some prayer requests that have come directly from those on the field:

-500,000 Haitians displaced from their homes by gang violence to return home safely

-Countless victims of rape, torture, kidnapping and murders; comfort and /restitution

-Inflation that approaches 100% to come down and make food and fuel affordable

-Disarming and disbanding gangs spreading to the provinces

-Blocked fuel terminals and distribution roads to open

-Corrupt politicians and assassins to be judged

-Free and fair elections

Most hospitals completely shut down and are denying access to healthcare; safety and protection

For more info on His Light For Haiti or to donate, please visit:

http://hislightforhaiti.weebly.com/

Images have been sent by field staff from HLFH. Those precious faces mean so much to them and are near to my heart!