Photo via faithcomesbyhearing.com

Audio Bible Ministry gives hope to people in Haiti

By Jeremy Reynalds

Correspondent for ASSIST News Service

Standing on a pile of concrete and tin rubble, a 20-something year old Haitian man pointed over his shoulder.

"This was my father's house," he said, according to a news release from Faith Comes by Hearing Audio Bible Ministry.

Then, voice breaking he said, “My mother was in there. My family was…”

He was interrupted by another man yelling, “I can hear them in there. But we can't get to them. Without a loader, we can't move this.”

On Jan. 12, Haiti, the poorest nation in the western hemisphere, was struck by a 7.0 magnitude earthquake near its capital city, Port-au-Prince. Up to 3 million people have been affected by the most powerful earthquake to hit Haiti in 200 years.

People have set up makeshift shelters, refugee camps and hospitals, as others dig through concrete mounds that once held their children, spouses, family, friends and neighbors. More than 100,000 people are sleeping on the streets.

Faith Comes By Hearing said the ministry is responding to this crisis by providing faith, hope and love through God's Word in audio.

“We have already sent 100 Proclaimers through our ministry partner, Convoy of Hope,” said Jon Wilke, Faith Comes By Hearing's spokesperson, speaking in a news release. “These portable, solar-powered Audio Bibles will be given to local pastors so people can hear God's Word in their own language – Haitian Creole.”

Faith Comes by Hearing said Convoy of Hope has people positioned on the ground to receive containers of food, clothing and supplies that are being sent to Haiti. They are partnering with churches in Haiti ministering to those left in the aftermath of this deadly earthquake. Pastors will receive the Proclaimer units and use them to minister to groups of hurting and wounded people who need the Word of God in their own language.

“There is an immediate need for another 3,000 Proclaimers. We want to equip short-term groups, disaster relief teams, church teams and other ministries with the Word of God in a format the people can use,” Wilke said.

“Peoples' houses are crumbled, their families are shattered and they are living in ruins. Haitians will need that long-term hope and comfort that comes from knowing God has not forgotten them through this tragedy,” said Wilke.

Haitians are afraid to go inside whatever is left of their homes. They are fearful of aftershocks or further collapse. Masses of people are sitting outside, on the curbs and under homemade shelters.

Faith Comes by Hearing asked people to imagine the change in atmosphere if God's Word was there, playing in their language, reminding them that God is with them.

Haiti, the Caribbean nation of about 9 million people, has a rocky and lengthy history of conflict, turmoil, dictatorship, fragile institutions and devastating natural catastrophes. Just last year, the island endured four hurricanes.

Faith Comes by Hearing reported that research shows about 50 percent of Haiti's population lives on less than $1 a day and is unable to read.

“Please continue to pray for the people of Haiti, and for those who are mobilizing efforts to meet the tremendous needs that are impacting thousands of people,” Wilke said in the news release.

He added, “It's probably going to be years before Haiti can recover from this. It's going to take the unity of the church and the compassion of the world to help this hurting people return to some semblance of normal life.”

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TAGS: Haiti Faith Comes by Hearing Audio Bible Ministry Haiti earthquake disaster relief teams evangelism

[01/19/2010]

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