Dear Friends,
As hurricane Matthew moves through the Caribbean region, I ask for your continued prayers for the people of Haiti, Jamaica, Cuba and the Bahamas. We also need to pray for Florida and the United States southeast coast.
On a personal note, I have been able to maintain communication with mother who lives in Mirebalais, Haiti. Mirebalais is located on the central part of Haiti about 25 miles northeast of Port-au-Prince, and is heavily impacted by the wind and rain. Darkness covers the area now, and the latest news reports indicate that the storm will go through Port-au-Prince, to the Artibonite River and then into the Central Plateau, where Mirebalais is. The government has warned the entire population of dangers from this major hurricane.
I started the Haiti Micah Project after hurricane Jeanne devastated the northern part of Haiti in 2004 leaving more than 3,000 dead. It was not so much the wind that caused the devastation, but the heavy rain that triggered mudslides and flooding. Residents were forced to live on rooftops and in trees for several days as they waited for the water to subside. Haiti is heavily deforested, which makes Haiti very vulnerable to flooding.
Since 2006, Haiti Micah Project has been responding to such natural disasters, including the 2010 earthquake by extending our feeding program to allow as many children as possible to have access to a hot plate of food. We expect a spike in the number of children who will come seeking food assistance. The HMP staff and volunteers are already planning to receive those who will come looking for food.
I know that many of our members have family and friends living in the Caribbean. The people of Haiti are lying in fear now, praying for relief from this storm. Please join me in praying with them and all of our brothers and sisters who will be impacted by this storm.
Assist us mercifully, O Lord, in these our supplications and
prayers, and dispose the way of your servants towards the
attainment of everlasting salvation; that, among all the
changes and chances of this mortal life, they may ever be
defended by your gracious and ready help; through Jesus
Christ our Lord. Amen.
Blessings,
Joseph Constant
