OMS evacuates missionaries from Haiti

Haiti (MNN) — As unrest continues to escalate in Haiti, OMS International has evacuated most of its missionaries from the country. However, the ministry’s 53-year-old radio outreach, based five miles southwest of Cap-Haitien, continues to broadcast a message of hope.

OMS, is the parent organization of Men For Missions — an organization saturating the country with Christian radio, evacuated 17 missionaries and their families last week. Also, 31 short-term volunteers on five work and ministry teams are on hold.

“At the earliest opportunity OMS missionaries will re-enter Haiti to return to their ministries and to aid with humanitarian relief efforts. We urge the Christian community to support their Haitian brothers and sisters in prayer,” the statement said.

Meanwhile, 4VEH, the radio ministry operated by OMS, is bringing hope and encouragement to people across the region, said Jerry Maurer, the station’s technical coordinator who left Haiti with his family on Tuesday, Feb. 17. “The station is still on the air, and there is enough fuel to run it for another 30 days.” However, the number of hours that the station broadcasts daily is down to nine from 18 to save on fuel for the diesel generators. Rebels have blocked roads to the city, interrupting fuel supplies.

Broadcasts continue to go out in French and Creole on AM at 840 kHz and on FM at 94.1 MHz. Limited programming in English and French airs on 94.7 MHz.
OMS also ministers in Haiti via church planting, children’s education, agricultural development and community development.

Maurer says the station’s non-political stance — broadcasting a positive gospel message — has made the ministry less of a target for rebels. However, about 500 squatters have taken advantage of the crisis in the country, occupying an old commercial transmitter site (next to the 4VEH’s transmitter facility) and knocking down a 400-foot antenna tower.