Following the assassination of Haiti’s president in 2021, violent gangs forcibly took control. Today, gangs continue to wreak havoc on innocent people, burning police stations, taking over seaports, airports, banks, and neighborhoods, destroying businesses and homes, and murdering thousands of innocent people. In 2023, 8,400 people were killed, injured, or kidnapped. In 2024, the number of innocent lives taken continues to rise.

In late October, our campus was attacked and looted by gangs. To mitigate risks, our team prepared a crisis management plan, and by the grace of God and the diligence of our caring staff, we implemented the plan successfully. Praise God every child we serve and our staff members are safe and have been successfully evacuated.

This news comes just a couple of months after we joined together in solidarity, grieving the tragic murder of our beloved team member and friend—a man completely dedicated to the mission of bringing joy and purpose to orphaned and vulnerable children, and families. His impact on our team and the countless lives he touched will never be forgotten.

“The Lord is close to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit.”—Psalm 34:18

Equally heartbreaking, according to UNICEF, gangs in Haiti are recruiting children at unprecedented levels. Currently, between 30% to 50% of all gang members in Haiti are minors. Young boys are used by gangs as spies, and young girls are forced to cook, clean, and be “wives” to gang members. Others are given weapons to unwilfully participate in attacks.

When children are highly vulnerable, it is easy to recruit them. A child can go from living on less than $4 a day to being paid thousands of dollars to join the gang, according to a UN Security Council report. And when children refuse to join, they are frequently threatened and abducted.

As you can imagine, no child is more vulnerable than those without parents.

In response to this devastating news, many of you are asking, “What can I do to help?” Maybe you feel a sense of restlessness and are beginning to wonder, “What can someone miles away possibly do to make a difference in such a hopeless situation?” 

God has a plan to destroy evil once and for all, but until Jesus returns, He calls us to care for those in need: orphans, widows, the poor, prisoners, and those who are sick. Right now, Haiti is in need. Her people need your care and, more than anything, the hope of the Gospel.

Here are two things you can do to help: 

1. Will You Pray Boldly for an End to Gang Violence? 

The safety and well-being of the children and communities we serve remain our highest priority. We are closely monitoring the situation and are taking all necessary precautions to ensure the security of those we’re committed to protect. But we also need your prayers! 

• Pray for an end to gang violence in Haiti. 
• Pray for God to provide food, lodging, and necessary supplies for evacuated children. 
• Pray for wisdom for our Haiti leadership team as they determine short-term and long-term next steps to keep children safe. 
• Pray for resilience and clarity on how to continue ministering deeply to the children we serve, even while remote and in new surroundings.
• Above all, pray that more people in Haiti will receive the hope of the Gospel in these devastating times. 

Take these things to the Lord in your quiet time, pray for them around the dinner table, bring them to your small groups, and pray for them with your church. God hears our prayers and is working through them. 

2. Will You Prayerfully Consider Giving to Support Crisis Relief in Haiti? 

Money never guarantees security; only God protects. But what your gift can do is provide emergency care, shelter, security, food, and transportation for the orphaned and vulnerable children we serve. Amidst horrific violence and unrest, these provisions make a huge difference.

To accommodate evacuated Lifesong students, our team needs to purchase kitchen supplies, bedding, and school supplies, totaling $150,000 before December 31st. In addition, safe housing, food, and transportation for 150 children and staff is projected to cost $209,000 per month.

Will you consider providing relief by making an end-of-the-year gift to help us cover this urgent need?

Thank you for caring and for doing everything you can to help. You are an encouragement to us, the children we serve, and our entire team.