A Shepherd Dies Serving in Haiti

District Overseer, Quinteria Rosario, eulogized Juan Sanchez as a man who died as he lived; serving others. Pastor Sanchez died on Saturday, January 30, apparently from a bacterial infection, shortly after returning from a humanitarian mission to help build a temporary home for the 68 orphans from the Church of God of Prophecy's orphanage in the quake-ravaged Haitian capital, Port-au-Prince. Sanchez, 63, a faithful Church of God of Prophecy pastor in the Dominican Republic was a member of a team of 13 people who went into Haiti on a mission of mercy and love. The entire Church of God of Prophecy family around the world mourns the passing of Brother Sanchez and wraps its arms of condolence and care around his wife (who also accompanied him on the mission to Haiti), children, congregation, and friends. This stalwart man of God will be remembered as a one whose compassion and faithfulness led him to an plot of land in a devastated country where he worked to provide shelter to destitute children in a neighboring country. Surely, God's ways are mysterious. May His Name be praised.

The health authorities in the Dominican Republic has examined the other team members, who seem to be unaffected, and they are increasing their vigilance in screening individuals at the border for meningococcemia, an infection of the blood that can be transmitted by air.

Churches and Minister (currently)

So far we have lost 37 churches. Added to the 25 churches mentioned in earlier reports we have lost 8 local churches in the Cote-de Fer area )southwest of Por-au-Prince), 3 churches in Grand-Goave (includes the central church for the area), and 1 in Duvivier (Route neuve) just on the outskirts of Port-au-Prince. All together, churches in four districts have been significantly affected. Two ministers have died, Deacon Marc Beauger (Mariani) perished along with his son and Pastor Orimane Cineus of the Duval church (newly constructed building) was also killed when his home collapsed.

Help received

The assistance provided by the leadership of the Dominican Republic in providing the building to house the children from the orphanage, relief supplies and medical attention has been wonderful. The two children from the orphanage who were hospitalized at the Albert Schweitzer Hospital are doing fine. Loveline's broken arm was set and is in a cast. She will have to undergo another surgery to remove the steel bars the doctors inserted. Carole has to undergo physical therapy for her back. She has to use crutches.

Beside the help that has been channeled through the Dominican Republic to Haiti, Brother Dorlean said he has received help from the Red Cross. They provided drinking water for the children. We are grateful that they set up a water purifier system for them at the temporary building where the children have been relocated.

The total impact of the quake on the Church of God of Prophecy is difficult to measure with more than 100 members perishing in the rubble, more than 250 homes of church members destroyed, 10 Church-operated school buildings ruined, hundreds of children orphaned and thousands of church members and their families affected.

Trip Planned

A team from the Church's International Office will be traveling to Haiti on February 12th to meet with Bishop Dorlean, Haiti national overseer, and assess the current needs.