Haiti Report
The International School of Theology (IST) in Haiti has faced many problems over the past four years due to gang activity. The area where the campus is located is where there has been considerable violence, including kidnappings, house raids, and killings. To make matters worse, the area that had to be traveled through to reach IST is home to some of the worst gangs. Therefore, we have not been able to use the campus since 2020. While classes have continued and many souls have been saved, the students and the teachers have been in danger almost daily.
The past two weeks have seen the violence increase drastically. The airport was attacked and had to close for several days. Two of the largest prisons were attacked, which resulted in more than 4,000 prisoners escaping and several left dead. Banks, churches, schools, hospitals, and businesses have been attacked, causing many to close. In the past three months, more than 3,500 people have been killed, kidnapped, or injured by gang activity. The roads are blocked with burning tires, and gunshots can be heard throughout the city of Port-au-Prince. The United States recently sent Marines to reinforce security at the US embassy. The embassy has evacuated all non-essential personnel. The prime minister resigned at the demands of the gangs and the request of some Caribbean leaders. The country is on the verge of total collapse. Please pray for Haiti.
How does this affect the school of preaching in Haiti? Our teachers, directors, and students have put their lives in danger each time they travel to and from class. Half of the class has often been unable to attend due to the blocked streets. Due to the increased violence, we have decided to suspend classes until further notice. We hope to resume them as soon as possible, but it may be August before we can start regular classes again. Our local directors will continue to check on students and help provide food and medical care when needed. The students and teachers regularly work with about twenty-five congregations and will continue their work as much as possible.
Our goal remains to train preachers and teachers of God's word. While we may have to pause regular classes, the work will continue. We know who is in charge and will make way for His message to be proclaimed. There will come a time when the violence will stop, and we can travel again to Haiti. There are people in Haiti who are hungry for the message of salvation, and we plan to see that they have an opportunity to hear it. Please pray for the work, the students, the teachers, and our directors.
Larry Waymire