Unrest in Haiti

Please pray for peace in Haiti as political and civil unrest continues in Port-au-Prince. Here are some updates that the Haiti District of the Methodist Church in the Caribbean and the Americas (MCCA)has sent us and news on situation that our mission partners, John and Sharon Harbottle, have shared with us: 

“It has been a tough time for us in the last few days with street demonstrations, roadblocks and breakthroughs.  There were  spontaneous roadblocks at many locations in the capital and especially the mains road that lead to different boroughs.  

As of today in Port au Prince, Petion ville and it suburban areas, some of the stores, supermarkets and banks will be open until midday. That was a relief for everyone while we are waiting for the government to address the population tonight. We hope and pray for everything to settle.

 Thank you for your continued support in prayers. 

 Yours in Christ, 

Bishop Jean-Lesley Dorcely, District Bishop”

 Update from the Harbottles:

 We made a quick trip out on Monday at 9 am taking Rev Maude, Joanne, Yachelle and a list from Rev Lamartinieres household to get essentials. The streets are a mess , blackened form burning tyres , stones and rocks strewn everywhere from barricades, indeed trying to drive to church on Sunday was problematic manoeuvring through and over stones – Yachelle’s car would not have coped and debris, rubbish as no street cleaning has been able to get out. The streets are deserted in that no sellers are on the pavements, though young men hang about. Schools and businesses have been forced to stay closed since Wednesday afternoon last week. There is no fuel so few cars are out and about ( Rev Marco had a stone thrown at his which fortunately hit the defence (bushguard), motorcycles are really the only way to get about - no tap taps* but no one is going anywhere except hurriedly to the supermarkets which only have one gate open and armed guards monitoring one car in and one out. The shelves are empty - no fresh food - fruit or veg, meat, bread as no deliveries can be made. They are packed with people trying to get everything they can and there is no money as there are no banks open (some have been looted) and ATMs are empty of cash, so only if you have a card or a cheque book you are ok. People are watching all the time and on the phone listening to the news and ready to take off at any moment when they hear that trouble is on its way or in their home area. Drinking water has run out in the shops - again no deliveries so we will have to filter and boil  when ours runs out. Mind you no power to do the water pump to get water into the house. Washing clothes, pots and showering very difficult.

On Monday afternoon we were inside despite the heat (strange for a Monday afternoon ), as there were a lot of gunshots and tear gas on the streets near us and the demonstrations had run by the compound. It has been the same most days but this time was the first for tear gas. So we are keeping safe and all looking after each other on the compound, keeping up with news and wondering how long the opposition will keep things in this state.  Today continues the same.

 We will contact you as and when we can. Meanwhile prayers for all our safety and that talks and negotiations will get underway as to have the President ousted is not really going to help

 Thank you for contacting us  - apologies if you don’t hear much all depends on power to recharge and send messages

 Love Sharon and John