With Christ set apart as Lord and giving reason for their hope, Baptist volunteers along with Haitian Baptists are working hand-in-hand. The Baptist efforts in Haiti are multi-national. In addition to “Buckets of Hope” being gathered across the US, Canadian Baptists have collected money to send to the Florida Baptist Convention where Haitian Baptists in Florida will purchase the ingredients and fill buckets to be shipped to Haiti.

Shortly after the earthquake struck, Puerto Rican Baptists gathered and shipped supplies to help in Haiti. Pastor Jorge Alvarez led his congregation to gather 200 bottles of water, medical supplies, and non-perishable food to send to the quake-zone.

Photo (above): Members of First Baptist Church of Arecibo, Puerto Rico stand in front of the 200 bottles of water they gathered and sent to the people of Haiti. (left to right) Keniel Rivera, Cristian Mendez, Beverlyann Mercado, Max Rivera, Gabriela Rivera, Pastor Jorge Alvarez, Abisaid Rivera, Héctor Morrobel, Mariel Mendez.

The long process of debris removal and demolition has begun. Southern Baptists are helping churches and individuals to complete this task. Volunteers will be partnered with families and churches to remove damaged walls or to completely demolish a damaged home. Once again, this will afford volunteers opportunities to lift up the name of Christ and to show Christian love in action.

Photo (left): Clearing mountains of debris is slow, difficult work, breaking up the fallen concrete with sledge hammers.