Bermuda Conference of Seventh-day Adventists

After viewing pictures of the devastation in that country and receiving a personal report from Darla Price, teacher at Bermuda Institute and a member of the NAPS (National Association of Prevention for Starvation) out of Oakwood University, hearts were touched, tears were shed, and people were moved to prayer.

Dr. Jeffrey Brown, President of the Bermuda Conference, in welcoming attendees from varying faiths, quoted 2 Chronicles 7:14 as the reason for the gathering: “If my people, which are called by my name, shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways; then will I hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin, and will heal their land.”

Pastor Randolph Wilson, Bermuda Conference Prayer Ministries Director, led out in the prayer session which divided the congregants into four groups.  One group prayed for the victims buried in the rubble and another for those who are devastated by loss of loved ones. The third group prayed for relatives seeking to find loved ones while the fourth group prayed for the caregivers. Members of the local Haitian community were also present to pray for their family and friends.  One national, Frigga Simmons, Development Officer from Bermuda Institute, relayed her consternation as she tried to contact her brother and was unable to do so for about two days, and then the joy she experienced when they were able to connect by telephone.  Another, Rachelle Hendrickson told how her family, were all sleeping in a car without food or water.  Other Haitians present were Sandy Darrell and Debbie Regot, who reported that their immediate family had been contacted and were fine.

Phillip Rego, a member of Warwick church and the founder of Feed My Lambs Ministry, told of his concern for the young people at his clinic in Port-au-Prince. Thankfully, he also had a five second phone call that let him know they were safe.  He hopes to Haiti at the end of the month, along with Dr. Stanley James and other interested persons, to serve wherever they can.

The Adventist Development and Relief Agency (ADRA) is already on the ground in Haiti and is diligently assisting the Haitian population by providing water purification tablets and medical supplies. NAPS from Oakwood University mobilized immediately when they heard of the great need and are on their way to assist the people of Haiti. (See What Else ADRA is Doing and How You Can Help)

On the afternoon of January 12, 2010, a massive 7.0 magnitude earthquake rocked Port-au-Prince, the capital city of Haiti, leaving massive devastation in its wake. It is said to be the strongest quake to hit Haiti in more than 200 years. As a result, the death toll continues to rise and thousands have been injured and left homeless.

So far, church leadership reports that thousands of Haitian Seventh-day Adventist church members are still missing, while one local pastor has been reported dead.  Leaders from the Central Haiti Conference based in Port-au-Prince are searching for pastors and their congregations, as well.  There are 335,000 Seventh-day Adventists and 470 churches in Haiti and there were 100,000 Adventists and 123 churches in Port-au-Prince before the earthquake.  “Our leaders are frantically addressing their situation there,” said Pastor Israel Leito, president of the church in Inter-America.  “We fear that many of our members may have died.  We are so concerned about getting help for our brethren. They need shelter, water, food, and medicines.”

Structural loss to church property currently includes damage to two of the city's largest churches, the university and hospital. The university is currently using campus grounds as a refuge for hundreds of displaced persons and hospital staff has resumed medical operations outdoors.

If you’d like to make a financial contribution you may do so in person at the Bermuda Conference Office located at 41 King Street, Hamilton, or online at www.adra.org.  The monies will support Adventist Development Relief Agency (ADRA), an internationally recognized non-governmental organization working in more than 120 countries and assisting those in need without regard to ethnic, political, or religious affiliations.

We will continue to pray that the intense suffering and pain will be relieved soon for as one member of God’s family suffers, we all suffer.  January16 has been designated as a day of prayer throughout the Atlantic Union and on February 6 an offering will be taken in every church to assist with the needs in Haiti.

Phillip Rego addressing the audience about the devastation in Haiti and how happy he was when he heard from the 4 young men he had sent to Port au Prince on the same day as the earthquake.

Rachelle Hendrickson

Debbie Regot

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