(Photo courtesy of Faith Comes By Hearing)
Haiti (MNN) ― Christian ministries and churches have been overwhelmed with orphans, families, and a host of needs since the January 12 earthquake in Haiti. Pastors in particular have been faced with far more needs than they have ever dealt with before, even in the poorest country in the western hemisphere.
One minister, Pastor Gregory, had already been running an orphanage when the earthquake hit. His orphanage housed around 80 to 100 orphans on a regular basis before the quake. It is now home to over 1,000 families.
As they care for physical needs, church leaders like Pastor Gregory are in so far over their heads that they can hardly be expected to put together a sermon or to preach much at all. But spiritual needs in Haiti remain as high if not higher than before. Juggling all of these needs is impossible without help.
Since the quake, Faith Comes By Hearing has been sending solar-powered radio Proclaimers with various groups to Haiti. These Proclaimers are loaded with the New Testament in Haitian Creole and given to pastors and churches to use to help quench even a bit of the spiritual thirst of those suffering. This has been especially helpful in Haiti not only because of the vast swell of hopelessness and spiritual hunger among the people, but also due to an illiteracy rate of well over 50 percent. Bible tracts, or even Bibles, then, often cannot reach nearly as many people.
Aid workers say pastors have been able to use the Proclaimers to communicate God's Word in the midst of chaos and devastation. The Proclaimers can reach about 300 people at a time and have been able to spread the hope of Jesus Christ to all who hear.
Faith Comes By Hearing is currently delivering 600 more Proclaimers to Haiti via the ministry Convoy of Hope. Church groups and other ministries have also been taking the audio Gospel devices with them. Any team that is going to Haiti and would like to bring Proclaimers with them should contact Faith Comes By Hearing by e-mailing them at Haiti@FaithComesByHearing.com or by calling 800-545-6552.
