Additional information in the excerpt below for an update sent by Chuck Smith to UCG President Victor Kubik this morning, June 26, 2019:
"Some have called it civil disobedience, while others call it a civil war. No matter what you call it - it is sad and disturbing to most everyone, especially our brethren. In a country where it is difficult just finding work or food to survive, imagine trying to live a Godly life where violence is a way of life. A life where every store, hotel and market has guards with shotguns patrolling the grounds and checking your every move. A place where everything not behind block walls is fair game. And yet,God has raised up a rapidly growing church.
Our brethren, for the past few weeks, have been protected but we have many who could not get safe passage to church each week. Road blocks and thugs looking to rob have made life even more complicated. Thankfully out church hall is truly a "sanctuary" for most of our brethren.Our hall is behind 10' tall block walls with razor wire on the top. We have secure steel doors to keep everyone safe once they enter the compound.
We had hoped to have our long planned and uplifting Learning Center up and functioning this week, but due to the violence we have had to cancel the classes that were planned for the next 6 weeks to teach English and Computer Skills to 14 students, which when completed would have made them in the top 5 % of the country job skill wise. But all is not lost as we will just hope pray for a more peaceful time in the months ahead. Youth Corps and Good Works have made this dream possible and we will find a time with God's blessing when we can finish this dream. Our brethren are all safe and we have been able to provide extra food for those times when traveling on the roads are prohibited and food is scarce. Deacon Joseph Jean is seeing to the physical and spiritual needs of our 100 plus brethren in Mirebalais.
Tuesday June 25 the U.N. Security Council approved a resolution establishing a political mission starting Oct. 16 that will officially replace the U.N.peacekeeping activities in Haiti. U.N. military peacekeepers left the country on Oct.15, 2017 after 13 years, leaving only advisors to help reform the goernment. Will this bring some much needed stability to Haiti? We can only hope and pray, since that is right in the middle of God's FOT. I am praying we can have this year's Feast so the brethren can begin to have a greater picture of the peace and prosperity promised in the coming KOG. Thanks so much for everyone's prayers and support for God's people in this troubled country. I have not been able to travel to Haiti in the last month, but I am hoping for a small window of time so I can complete the FOT plans. God has shown His protection on every trip so far, and there is much to do since the "fields are indeed ripe."
The Church has continued to grow in Haiti. With the completion of the meeting hall, and the extra space it provides, we now have around 100 in attendance when there is peace and everyone can travel. Please continue to pray for the safety and well-being of our brethren in Haiti, and for peace in the country as a whole. Our hope is to proceed with the English and Computer Skills teaching project in the near future, and to hold the Feast of Tabernacles 2019 as planned.
No comments:
Post a Comment