An estimated 1.8 million residents were violently shaken by an earthquake affecting the densely populated areas near Port-au-Prince on Tuesday, January 12, 2010. Mission of Hope (MOH), a ministry who serves the hurting and less fortunate in Haiti, is quickly organizing its “first responder” teams. Many of its staff are already providing healthcare in its medical clinic to those injured by the quake.

“Our staff on the ground reports that this looks really bad, but we’ve been here before with the hurricanes two years ago,” said Brad Johnson, Mission of Hope president. “We have the infrastructure in place and prepared to serve.”

Johnson says the MOH warehouse is stocked with 1.5 million meals which will begin to be distributed immediately.

Fortunately, the North American Mission of Hope staff and families and orphanage children have been spared major calamity, though buildings and other facilities have yet to be surveyed for damage. There has been no report from most of the 150 Haitian staff or the 1200 students. MOH has established a command center in front of is campus at 777 Route Nationale #1.

Ruben Cenea, a seminary student and MOH staffer was in class when the earthquake hit. He says a concrete roof collapsed on at least 20 students. “By God’s grace I got out,” said Cenea. “God saved me.”

Cenea says while as he was trapped in the debris he watched his fellow classmates dying.

Haiti is already the poorest country in the Western Hemisphere, with 8 out of 10 people living in extreme poverty. Johnson says donations of cash and medical supplies are needed to support the many needs affecting those devastated by the 7.0 earthquake.

“Haiti is a difficult place to live on a good day,” said Johnson. “Pray for the funds and resources to provide the needed assistance.”

The Mission of Hope Complex now sits on 76 acres of land. Approximately 1,200 children are enrolled in the School of Hope and the Hope House Orphanage houses and cares for over 40 children and the Hospital of Hope will soon be operational. Over 600 adults, youth and children come from surrounding villages to attend the Church of Hope. In addition, the Mission of Hope assists close to 200 children in four other orphanages in nearby villages through the Feed A Child program. The Mission of Hope is able to contribute to the local economy by employing over 150 Haitian women and men.

For more information on Mission of Hope go to www.mohhaiti.org and www.haitione.org. Call Brad Johnson for interviews at 816.809.6553.

Assist News Service