A group of eighteen people associated with an American missionary organization were kidnapped last week in Haiti, including sixteen American missionaries, one Canadian missionary, and one local Haitian driver. Among those kidnapped are five children ranging in age from 8 months to fifteen years. A representative of the 400 Mawozo gang called the headquarters of Christian Aid Ministries demanding a ransom of $1 million. Christian Aid Ministries is supported by the Amish and Mennonite churches. They are based in Ohio with missionaries around the world and have been in Haiti since the 1980s. The kidnapped missionaries had worked on rebuilding homes devastated by the recent earthquake in Haiti that killed over 2200 people and were returning from visiting an orphanage when they were accosted.

Kidnappings have become just one more horror to the trials of the Haitian people in recent months. Just in the first half of October, at least 119 people have been kidnapped. In April, 2021 five priests, two religious sisters, and three lay persons were kidnapped. They were released later the same month.

The assassination of President Jovenel Moïse and the earthquake have shaken Haiti to its core. Shortages, especially of fuel, have hurt Haiti’s already poor economy. A general strike in protest of the kidnappings didn’t help the economy, but people are getting fed up, with regular protests rising spontaneously. More strikes are planned. Gangs are blamed for the gas shortage because they block distribution terminals and the government is seen as ineffective in stopping the gangs, stopping the kidnappings, and dealing with the country’s many woes.

Please pray for the people of Haiti, for the many kidnapping victims, and for the safe return of the missionaries and their driver.

Be Christ for all. Bring Christ to all. See Christ in all.