On April 8 -13, 2010, Baptist Mid-Missions will send three men to Haiti to meet with Haitian pastors and church leadership. Team members are Rev. V. W. Peters, Mr. Larry Beckman, and Rev. Richard Osborn, who is a member of our Rapid Response Ministry in Florida. They will assess the progress of BMM’s World Relief assistance and determine our next steps to keep multiple relief projects moving forward.
Dr. Hantz Bernard, our BMM administrator who directs Bibles International, was our first responder in Haiti immediately after the earthquake. A native of Haiti, Dr. Bernard helped Haitian pastors develop a four-step plan for recovery. We are currently involved in Step Two of the plan, which involves providing for emergency needs. So far, BMM World Relief has helped repair churches and has fed, clothed, and housed people. We have paid our hospital staff’s wages so that medical care and medical supplies could be provided free of charge.
We are ready to begin Step Three—rebuilding destroyed buildings once the government permits us to do so. The Haitian government has placed a moratorium on new construction until it develops effective building codes for the country. Several architects from around the world are helping the government establish new construction standards.
Step Four focuses on returning to normalcy. God has allowed us to begin this step in a small way by providing enough money for the School of Theology to reopen for classes on March 15 and operate through the end of June. We are praying for additional funding that will enable our Haitian brethren to continue training future pastors. People’s hearts are tender and open to the gospel. Training institutions must continue to prepare ministry leaders.
All church repairs thus far have been performed by skilled Haitians. We plan to have the Haitian pastors and church leadership direct most future repairs and rebuilding of churches, schools, and residences. Our fellowshipping Haitian churches are blessed with skilled, dedicated, and trained men and women capable of directing and overseeing the majority of our ongoing relief efforts.
Pray for our team as we move among churches and people affected by the earthquake and aftershocks. We are asking for wisdom and grace as we determine the next steps God would have us take.