God Gives HOPE in the Midst of Turmoil
We have had an absolutely beautiful time this past year at Ruuska Village in Port-Au-Prince, Haiti. Life in Haiti has always presented its challenges, but within the walls of our compound there has been a joy like none other as we have served, loved, and built relationships with those that God had our paths intertwining with every day.
Although we have always felt safe and secure within our property, Port-Au-Prince has become a battle ground between gangs, the Haitian Police Force, and political parties as they try to seize power since the July 7th assassination of President Jovenel Moïse. Gangs have become increasingly more aggressive as they fight for “territory”, control the shipping ports, hold up fuel trucks, and paralyze the city with kidnappings and violence. There have been over 800 kidnappings this past year (3 times more than previous years), and recently a group of 17 missionaries that drew national news attention.
Heeding the advice of our missions board and leaders, we have made the decision to temporarily evacuate our family from Haiti for now. We desire to keep Ruuska Village functioning and Matt will take short trips there until we are able to return full-time with our children. This evacuation was not “planned” and we are in the midst of seeking God on our next steps.
Please be in prayer with us as we determine where to “plant” ourselves in the interim. Continue to lift Haiti up in prayer and pray for the safety of the innocent people during these times. Thank you for loving and supporting us as we are evacuated and displaced from our home in Haiti temporarily.