Prison Break in Haiti

Prison in Port-au-Prince, pictured after an earthquake in 2010 (Credit: BBC World Service, via Flickr)

On Saturday 2nd March, armed gangs in Haiti stormed two prisons and freed thousands of criminals. One of the prisons, the National Penitentiary in Port-au-Prince, is next door to a Methodist Church and school (New College Bird). The two are so close that they even share a boundary wall!

The gangs have also targeted police stations, and attempted to seize control of Haiti’s international airport. At least nine people have been killed in recent days, including four police officers. 15,000 people have been forced to flee their homes, and the Government has declared a state of emergency.

In the midst of this chaos and violence, the Methodist Church in Haiti continues to minister to those around them. On Sunday, only hours after the prison next door was stormed, Methodists in Port-au-Prince gathered together to worship. After the service, they served meals to the nearby community.

Please pray for our brothers and sisters in Haiti, as they continue to share God’s love in even the most difficult of circumstances. Pray for their safety during the ongoing emergency, and for peace and stability to come soon.