Local Church Helps Haitian Group of Churches
A group of seven churches in Port au Prince, Haiti has sent Pastor David Vilma and Deacon Erick Descopin to Dublin to communicate the needs of its people to religious and civic groups in Central Ohio. Bellevue Salem Baptist Churches have had a relationship with Dublin Baptist Church (DBC) for nearly 20 years, and DBC’s Associate Pastor Randall Wood invited these men to Dublin, so that central Ohioans who would like to help can know very specifically what is needed. Pastor Wood says, “The Bible asks us how the love of God can be in someone who has material possessions and sees his brother in need, but doesn’t help. We needed to help.”
Bellevue Salem Baptist Church is a community of seven congregations around the Port au Prince area. Pastor Vilma explains that as a member of the original Bellevue Salem congregation moved, a new church was established. Today there are seven Bellevue Salem Baptist Churches. Total membership is over 7,000. Pastor Vilma and the other Bellevue Salem pastors share a vision to give spiritual support through this hardship and to see how they can intervene in a practical way especially to their brothers and sisters in these congregations.
DBC has worked with these churches for many years. Pastor Masashi Sugita, of DBC’s Japanese Chapel, started visiting Bellevue Salem Baptist Church about 17 years ago. Pastor Randall and several DBC members have visited Haiti a number of times since 2000 to assist with direct support for church construction projects and evangelism outreach. The former Bellevue Salem pastor who has since passed away, spoke twice to the DBC congregation in the late 90s.
Pastor Vilma tells of one of his experiences in Port au Prince as he has cared for those who come to him for help. When one man came requesting a tarp, Pastor Vilma told him to come again the next day. The pastor prayed for the need. Half an hour after praying, an aid organization called offering 12 tarps. The man and 11 other families received this needed supply. Pastor Vilma states that God is good even in the midst of such great trouble.
And there is great trouble. Forty-three members of the Bellevue Salem congregations died and 215 have been hurt during, or as a result of, the earthquakes. Two hundred congregant’s homes have been destroyed and 320 damaged. Today everyone lives outside because they fear another earthquake. Two of the seven church buildings were totally destroyed and minor to severe damage has affected the other five.
Bellevue Salem has established 13 feeding centers, which provide a meal weekly after church. The pastors field requests, and assist as the Lord enables them in these needs.
Material and financial support is also needed. A “Haiti Relief” project, being organized by DBC, will raise money to buy a bus and fill it with construction equipment such as jack hammers and sledge hammers, tents, food and personal items. A packing list of needed items has been made. If a person would like to donate items that are on this list, call DBC for further information. Financial donations can be made at www.dublinbaptist.com. All funds donated to this project will be used for that purpose and are tax deductible.
