June 13 - Pray for: Haiti

Evangelical Christians have steadily grown in number over the decades, through evangelism, love in action and by openly standing against voodooism and the spiritual forces behind it. Vision Haiti (HAVIDEC), a concerted prayer movement that includes many denominations and organizations, is determined to see deliverance for Haiti through prayer. The power of the gospel over the spiritual forces of evil has been clearly demonstrated in several instances.

Haiti needs godly leaders who will prioritize the good of the nation and address its massive problems. Two centuries of misrule, tyranny and recent flawed democratic attempts have brought hopelessness and despair. Corruption is rampant, and robberies and kidnappings commonplace. The economic plight of most Haitians deepens each year. Many seek to escape, some physically by fleeing the country in unsafe and leaky boats, others emotionally through taking drugs. Pray that men and women may be raised up who will reverse these trends and establish justice, righteousness and long-term stability.

Desperate physical and social needs attract a wide range of Christian community development agencies, such as WVI, Tearfund, World Concern, the Mennonites and many others. Sensitivity and wisdom are needed to preserve the indigeneity, integrity and independence of the churches and their leaders and to not create further dependency. Pressing needs must be addressed regarding ecology, agriculture, healthcare, AIDS, education and children at risk. Pray that every expression of Christian concern might have long-term redemptive impact and draw people to the Saviour.

Specific groups for prayer:

• The youth. Poverty, unemployment, illiteracy and constant turmoil that disrupts the education system all make for a difficult context for Haitian youth. Guns and gangs are the paths many take to cope. Too few churches have active programmes designed for young people. GBEUH(IFES) has three full-time staff and around 25 student groups; Cru and Navigators are also active.
• Refugees. The Haitian diaspora numbers in the millions - in the USA, Cuba, Bahamas and elsewhere. Their destitution and need make them spiritually receptive. A number of missions (WT, OMS, CoN and others) seek to minister to them. Aiding or harbouring Haitian illegal refugees in other Caribbean nations can bring legal consequences, creating a dilemma for those seeking to show compassion. Pray for more workers called to reach the Haitian diaspora.
• The restaveks (from the Creole - "stay-withs") are effectively child slaves, numbering 300,000 to 400,000 - or 10% of all children in Haiti. They are easily available to be bought or sold. They are usually orphans, runaways or poor rural children whose parents can't afford to care for them. These children labour endlessly; they have no education and no health care. Pray for God to raise up people and organizations dedicated to showing compassion and love to the restaveks.

Christian radio is possibly the most effective tool for reaching and discipling Haitians. A high proportion of the population listens to Radio Lumière's five stations in the south and centre - Evangelical Baptist Church of South Haiti (WT) and 4VEH (OMS) in the north. TWR and others broadcast over 2,000 hours weekly. Radio 4VEH also streams over the Internet, reaching the Haitian diaspora. Vandalism against radio towers and relays is a real challenge.