“Haiti devastated by massive 7.0-magnitude earthquake.” (Associated Press)

“A disaster of ‘catastrophic’ proportions.” (Reuters)

“Haiti survivors desperately wait for aid.”  (Wall Street Journal)

These are just a few of the headlines that dominated world news when a terrible earthquake struck the island of Haiti on January 12.  In addition to the countless media reports on the situation in Haiti immediately following the earthquake, FBA heard directly from our missionaries on the ground in Port-au-Prince and others who are based in the Caribbean.

“Haiti is a part of the Caribbean, and so it is in our backyard,” wrote Veral Blake with Ambassadors for Christ (based in the West Indies). “It is a vital part of the Caribbean family, and we are all feeling the pain and agony of the Haitian people.”

Perhaps closest to the tragedy were FBA missionaries Edner and Dominique Jeanty, serving with CrossWorld in Port-au-Prince.

“I was at my office at the Barnabas Christian Leadership Center on the second floor of the two-story house. I had called a meeting, and we were about to begin. At about 4:50 p.m. the house began to shake. I got under a door post and told everyone to get under a door post or under the table. For a relatively long time the house was like swinging back and forth. One bookcase fell and brought down the screen on the secretary's desk. Thankfully the house withstood the shaking and none of us were hurt. It was obvious we could no longer hold the meeting. We sang 'Notre Dieu Règne Encore' (Our God Still Reigns), then went our separate ways to find out about our families.”

This was Edner’s description of his experience during the earthquake. As Edner tried to contact his family, there were some very tense moments, which turned into hours. By the end of the day though, the Jeanty family was safely reunited and grateful to God for His protection.

The STEP Seminary campus (pictured here) where Edner works was heavily damaged. STEP is one of the largest evangelical seminaries in the Caribbean, and God has used its graduates in diverse ministries to plant churches far and wide. One of the main STEP buildings was completely flattened. Miraculously, the students were called to a special Chapel meeting in another location that day and were out of the building when the earthquake struck. However, two of the students were in the main building and died during the earthquake. In addition, a leading Haitian Baptist pastor in Port-au-Prince was killed in the earthquake. Bienne Lamerique, pastor of Shiloh Baptist Church in Port-au-Prince, died of injuries sustained when his house collapsed.

In the weeks since the devastating earthquake, we have received many reports of the widespread damage.  The reality of how huge the rebuilding efforts will be is beginning to sink in. The earthquake has left millions of people suffering and without essential items such as medical aid, clean water, food, blankets and temporary shelter. Over 5,000 Haitians are now living on the STEP campus grounds. Edner Jeanty and others are focusing on the immediate needs of the most vulnerable Haitians and will need our prayers and support in the weeks and months ahead.

FBA members have given over $50,000 to the Haiti Relief Fund, which will help get critically needed supplies to the Haitians.