Haiti...so much to pray for!

It's overwhelming! Since Jan. 12th, I've followed every news report, blog, or update I could find with great interest, and with much prayer. While there are glimpses of hope, things seem to be getting worse with each passing day. So many needs, so much suffering. I'm reminded to not let myself become numb to the problems in Haiti. So I continue to pray. A couple weeks ago, God put on my heart a desire to return there someday...but this time, to take the Gospel with me. I trust it will happen, in His time.

There are other things that can be done in the mean time. Buckets of Hope is one way to provide for tangible needs right now. Donations given through SBC churches designated for Disaster Relief - Haiti will also go towards meeting needs in Haiti - 100% of your gift.

And of course prayer! One news story that has been frustrating to read is about the 10 U.S. Baptists that were arrested last week. There have been conflicting reports and so I'm sharing this update and prayer request that will give you some specifics to pray for:

Pastor David and Colette Hardesty of Boise, Idaho, SBC through Treasure Valley SBC Association in Boise, ID writes:

You may have heard (because it's been in the news) about the group of ten Idahoans who went to Haiti to help orphans and have been imprisoned since Friday for trafficking children. Five of the Idahoans are from Central Valley Baptist Church. Others are from Eastside Baptist Church in Twin Falls, including the pastor and his adult son. Please join us in praying for these Idahoans.

There's a lot of conflicting information going around, so we want to fill you in on the mission so you can pray more effectively. Central Valley Baptist was in the process of building an orphanage in the Dominican Republic in order to help Haitian orphans, and have been working with a Haitian pastor who runs an orphanage. When the earthquake occurred and the local pastor was asked how Central Valley could help, he suggested they could take the orphans to the Dominican Republic because his orphanage was demolished. They were led to believe he could approve their transport because he has custody of them. They got permission from the Dominican government to bring kids over, then took 33 of this pastor's kids (NOT just scooping children off the streets, as some have reported). When they got to the border Haitian officials stopped them for not having the documentation to take the kids out. They were going back to Port-au-Prince to get the needed paperwork, but were arrested before they could.

The Haitian Prime Minister wants to set an example of the Idahoans to prevent child trafficking and says they are "clearly" guilty and must be punished. They were supposed to appear before a judge Monday morning, but it has been postponed till today in hopes that they can find a better translator.

Please join us in praying that the Haitian government will realize this has been a misunderstanding and will let the Idahoans go. Pray for officials - such as the Prime Minister - who may find political benefits in keeping them. Pray for the Lord's encouragement on those who are imprisoned, and their families back home.

Thanks for reading all this and for praying with us.