Mesoamerica Regional Director Carlos Saenz traveled to Haiti October 22 through 25 to visit the districts most affected by Hurricane Matthew and to work with missionaries and leaders on a plan to care for the more than 3,000 Nazarene families affected.

On the Grand Anse District, Field Strategy Coordinator Pierre Antoine Jackes, Haiti Nazarene Compassionate Ministries Coordinator David Campos, his wife, Erika Chaves, District Superintendent David Esperance, and Saenz saw the destruction caused by the hurricane: destroyed roads, many completely collapsed houses, houses without roofs, and many people who lost their possessions and crops. 

Members of the District Advisory Board reported 2,000 Nazarene families were affected and 40 buildings collapsed between churches and missions. Only three Church of the Nazarene buildings were not destroyed by the hurricane.

In Bijouli, they met with the local Church of the Nazarene pastor. The church there is the only building that was not destroyed and now serves now as a refuge for families in the area.

The next day they traveled to the South District, where 20 of the 36 Nazarene churches collapsed and 520 families lost their possessions. The district has several compassionate ministry projects, including a school (with Compassion International) and a project to provide water to the community.

On the final day, they met with the superintendents of the four most affected districts — Grand Anse, South, Northwest, and La Gonave — and missionaries to develop an action plan.

“Please pray for wisdom, protection, and strength for the mission team in Haiti and the 2.1 million people affected by this hurricane,” Saenz said.

How to help

Churches and individuals around the world can provide support through the Nazarene Compassionate Ministries Hurricane Matthew Response Fund. Donations will be used for immediate needs, as well as long-term recovery and rebuilding efforts.

To send donations by mail:

In the U.S., make checks payable to "General Treasurer" and send them to: 

Global Treasury Services
Church of the Nazarene
P.O. Box 843116
Kansas City, MO 64184-3116

Be sure to put ACM1198/F135 in the Memo area.

In Canada, make checks payable to "Church of the Nazarene Canada" and send them to:

Church of the Nazarene Canada
20 Regan Road, Unit 9
Brampton, Ontario L7A 1C3

Be sure to put ACM1198/F135 in the Memo area.

For any other country, give through your local church or district, designating your gift to Hurricane Matthew Response.

--Church of the Nazarene Mesoamerica Region