Prayer
Prayer for Haiti | Chile
Storms can pass in a matter of minutes or hours. The aftermath is dealt with for months and sometimes years. The same is true of earthquakes. As we are well aware devastating earthquakes rocked Haiti and Chile within weeks of one another. Texas Baptists have expressed concern and been moved to action.
We continue to act in prayer for the peoples of these two nations. Progress is being made but sometimes seems painfully slow. Below are specific needs related to Haiti and Chile. Share them with prayer groups, Bible study groups, and mission groups.
Haiti
Robert Shehane is a former International Mission Board missionary who is currently representing Texas Baptists in Haiti. His role is to discover ways Texas Baptists can assist in short-term and perhaps long-term recovery efforts. Pray for his health and security. Ask God to give him insight and discernment as he meets with church, government, and non-government organization leaders.
July 10-12, 2010 a Haitian pastors’ conference will be held in Haiti. Three Texas Baptist pastors are requested to come and participate in this conference. Pray that God will send forth the pastors that He desires to go. Ask God for funds to provide their airfare, housing, and meals. Pray that these Texas pastors would be very sensitive to the physical, emotional, and spiritual needs of Haitian pastors.
Church2Church partnerships are beginning to develop. Up-to-date information can be found at http://www.texasbaptistsinhaiti.blogspot.com/. The working and living conditions will be challenging for Texas Baptist teams. Ask God to call out those who are willing to “pay the price”. Ask God to grant favor for these teams as they work local authorities who must grant permits for work to be done. Pray God will provide all the needed resources that churches need to rebuild.
Stress counseling is a critical need in the aftermath of the earthquake. Pray for needed counselors to serve in Haiti but also to train Haitians. Ask God to comfort and sooth those who have been traumatized.
Texas Baptist Men are seeking to get water filters into the country. Pray barriers will be brought done that are currently preventing the filters from entering the country. Pray that the clean water will become a way to share the living water of Jesus with those who need to know Him.
A medical team of six from the Houston Medical Center and Rice University Baptist Student Ministries will be serving in Haiti July 2 through July 10. Pray that God will use this team of medical and premed students to provide physical as well as spiritual healing to their patients. Ask God to provide all they need and to keep them strong. BSM Director Andy Dennis will be leading the team.
Many Haitians need the service of wound clinics. Texas Baptist Men is seeking to set up new clinics and have teams serve to assist with the rehabilitation needs of the people. Ask God to provide the right location for the clinics and the personnel to serve in them.
Chile
An urgent need centers on rebuilding 25 church buildings and homes for nine pastors. Teams are needed to assist with construction projects. Pray the Lord of the harvest to call out qualified persons to assist with the building projects. Up-to-date information can be found at http://www.texasbaptistsinhaiti.blogspot.com/.
Stress counseling is also a need in Chile. There is an emotional aftermath of a disaster as well as physical destruction. Pray for God to bring comfort and healing to those who are afraid and stressed.