Greetings in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, who is at the right hand of God interceding for us.

This is Mark Bube, reporting for this special edition of Telenews from the Committee on Foreign Missions of the Orthodox Presbyterian Church.

By now, many of you are aware that a major earthquake struck Haiti yesterday afternoon. By God’s grace, no one in the Hopp family was injured. Writing late last night, Ben reported: late this afternoon Haiti was rocked by what is being described as the most powerful quake to hit the area in 200 years. We felt the tremors here in Kaliko, over 25 miles from the epicenter. We are grateful that we had no damage to our house and were able to stay in contact with folks through e-mail and phone.

According to a friend who was in Port-au-Prince at the time of the quake, the city is devastated. Damage is widespread, many have died and many more are still trapped. I have not yet heard from the brothers and sisters on Lagonav, but they likely only suffered strong tremors as we did here. Thanks for praying for us as we figure out how to help. Pray that even through listening and praying with people we will be able to bring the light of the gospel. While the mobile telephone networks were down (making communication on the island difficult), we are thankful to report that this morning Heather heard from a brother in Christ from Lagonav, who made his way to the Hopps’ place.

Other than a few downed walls in Ansagalè, there had not been much damage on the island.  She also reported that, when the quake hit, a basketball tournament had been under way at the school in Port-au-Prince (where the congregation in Port-au-Prince met), where missionary colleagues Randy and Karen Lodder (CanRC) labored, and that the school had collapsed
but thankfully no one was inside.  Reports are coming in from multiple sources that missionary colleague Octavius Delfils (PCA) and his son, Carlens, were seriously injured and that their home in Port-au-Prince collapsed.

Several of the church people were also injured and have lost their homes.  Please keep them in your prayers. Preliminary word is that PCA missionary colleagues Charles Amicy, Leon Amicy, and Esaie Etienne are safe and that there was some damage to Esaie’s house.

Please remember the Hopps and these other servants of Christ as you approach the throne of grace: that lives might be spared; that the physical needs of especially those in the household of faith might be met; and that, even amidst the rubble of devastation, the Lord might use this occasion to bring glory to Himself, as His people minister His mercy to the suffering and testify
to His goodness and grace.

 

 

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