Haitian Leaders Tell Their Story

March 18, 2010 - Eron Henry - BWA Associate Director of Communications

Washington, DC (BWA) -- Two Baptist leaders from Haiti visited the offices of the Baptist World Alliance and told the story of the devastating earthquake that struck their country on January 12.

Eugene Gedeon, vice president of the Baptist Convention of Haiti (BCH), and Edrice Romelus, superintend for evangelism and former general secretary for Baptist Haiti Mission (BHM), were part of a roundtable meeting called by Baptist World Aid to work out details of assistance that BWAid and Baptists, mainly in North America, will provide to the Caribbean country.

"People are trying to lead a normal life, but they do not have homes," said Gedeon in an interview following the conclusion of the roundtable meeting. "People are living under tents. People are sad. I can see the sadness in their faces," said the pastor.

Romelus recounted the events of the first few days in the interview. "I was in my office when the earthquake struck. I saw the building swaying. Things started falling, such as the printer. Other employees inside the building fled outside," he recounted.

"I did not know how grave the earthquake was," Romelus continued. "We have a hospital on the same compound as our headquarters, and vehicles started arriving with the injured. In a short time, the hospital was filled up. There was no place to put people. People came from all over. We even put them in the dining room of the hospital. I did not know that this thing was so big."

The next day, Romelus, whose offices are in an area close to Port-au-Prince, attempted to go downtown to the shattered city. "We had to stop, we could not continue. Houses had fallen. People were in the streets suffering. We felt lots of emotions. We saw a four year old boy and a nine year old girl wandering. We did not know what to do. We took them to the hospital, even though it was already full."

Romelus and his team made another trip into the beleaguered capital a few days later where "We saw the scale of the destruction. There were huge amounts of dead people lying around, even at the university and the state house," Romelus recalled. "There was a foul smell. Things got worse day by day."

Gedeon, whose church headquarters are close to Cap-Haïtien, the second largest city in Haiti, did not feel much of the quake. Cap-Haïtien is approximately 250 kilometers or 155 miles from Port-au-Prince. But Baptists belonging to the BCH who live in or close to Port-au-Prince, suffered badly. Two pastors, Biene Lamerique and Venel Deciain, died in the temblor. One pastor lost four children, another lost three, yet another lost two, and still another lost one child. At least 80 members belonging to the BHM died, and at least 29 for the BCH.

It is still not ascertained how many churches got damaged or were destroyed, as some are difficult to reach. The BHM had accounted for about eight churches that were destroyed and approximately 24 damaged. Many Baptists lost homes and many schools experienced destruction.

Despite the level of suffering and the extent of the disaster, Gedeon and Romelus believe that the church has been handed an opportunity. "Churches are almost full of people," said Romelus. "Churches in other provinces have received new members who have left the capital." Gedeon stated that "churches are encouraging people. This earthquake is an opportunity for the churches. Witch doctors have come to Christ."

It is also an opportunity for the country to join in solidarity and rebuild a solid infrastructure, both Baptist leaders contend. Proper roads, good electricity systems, sound universities, strong public structures, and the enforcement of building codes - all these can now be put in place during the rebuilding process, Romelus and Gedeon agreed.

But the need remains great. Hospitals are still full. There is an urgent need to reopen schools and for children to return to school. The two Baptist groups are offering scholarships to children so that they may resume their education.

Homes need to be rebuilt. Both Baptists leaders inform the BWA that a good, solid structure for a house can be built for US$3,000. BWAid, the relief and development arm of the BWA has pledged to provide 10 houses that are earthquake and hurricane resistant. BWAid will also contribute to constructing a multipurpose building in Port-au-Prince that can be used for a school, an orphanage, and a chapel. Ar center is to be secured that can be used for multiple purposes, such as providing office space for Baptist groups along with living quarters.

In the meantime, relief efforts continue as providing food, clean water, sanitation and medical help remain a priority.