This was the most powerful earthquake to strike Haiti in over a century.

As the ground began to tremble, thousands of people ran screaming into the streets in a state of utter panic. Even as the shaking subsided, further panic ensued as it became clear that neighbors and loved ones were trapped in the fallen rubble. The earthquake and numerous aftershocks collapsed buildings, toppled debris into roadways, and knocked out electrical service throughout most of the capital. Phone lines into the country failed soon afterward. Tuesday evening was a night of near-total darkness in the streets of Port-au-Prince. One indicator of the damage caused to buildings and other structures was a huge plume of dust which rose up over the city, obscuring the view from surrounding hillsides for about 20 minutes. Traffic around the city was snarled as fallen debris blocked many of the roadways, impeding rescue efforts and preventing many of the injured from reaching hospitals and clinics. Numerous aftershocks have been felt, two of them registering above 5.5 on the Richter scale. Damage to buildings has been reported as far away as Les Cayes (140 miles southwest of Port-au-Prince).

10:30 AM, Wednesday, 01/13/09 Word has reached the IDES offices that at least three of our partner missions have sustained structural damage. Lifeline Christian Mission, Christianville, and Christian Mission South Haiti have all suffered some structural damage. By God’s grace, no one was seriously injured on their premises. However, we have heard reports of injuries and lives lost within the Christian Church / Church of Christ community in and around Port-au-Prince. One of our partner missions in Gonaives is preparing to send Haitian volunteers into the affected area to render assistance.

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There will be no Sunday School classes or KIDS Church this Sunday.
Childcare will be available for nursery – 6 yrs.