Haiti (MNN) — The Haitian gang that kidnapped several Christian missionaries last year took at least 17 more hostages from a tourist bus. The attack took place outside Port-au-Prince and involved eight Turkish nationals.
Kidnappings in Haiti have greatly increased over the past two years. Over 1,200 people were taken in 2021 alone.
Fighting between gangs
Fighting between gangs has severely disrupted daily life in Haiti, says Greg Yoder with Christian World Outreach. “It has caused some issues with traveling from one place to the other, especially in Port au Prince, but even going out to some outlying areas near Port au Prince.”
The fighting once spread to a CWO ministry site. Yoder says, “One of the seminaries had to move its location because the gangs were fighting. They were on each side, sort of fighting across the seminary. So they needed to move.”
Shootouts between the gangs have closed 1,700 schools in Port-au-Prince and the surrounding areas. After the assassination of President Jovenel Moïse, the gangs fought each other and the local police in a power struggle.
CWO
CWO has operated in Haiti since 1978. They work with eight churches, training and strengthening leadership. The ministry also provides vocational training for women and meals for children. Since 2010, CWO has worked in a tiny farming community called Laluene, offering healthcare, nutrition, and Bible studies.
Pray for the safety of CWO staff. Yoder says, “They do need to travel, especially in Port-au-Prince, and out to the feminine training centers. Pray for the safety of the church there. We’ve ministered in that neighborhood for a long time. We’ve got a good reputation in that neighborhood because we’ve helped a lot of those families.”
CWO hasn’t been able to visit the churches in Haiti since before COVID-19. Pray for peace in Port-au-Prince.
Header photo courtesy of David_Peterson on Pixabay.
