The people of Haiti are seeking God’s help – and the need for the Bible is urgent.

To help bring the Bible to Haiti, visit www.biblesociety.org.uk/haiti

That’s the message from Bible Society leaders in Haiti, who are calling for immediate help to provide Scripture portions and Bibles in the wake of the devastating earthquake that hit the nation on 12 January.

Magda Victor, the General Secretary of the Bible Society in Haiti, said, ‘The country is a complete disaster. We have to rebuild it. As a Christian, I am praying for the spiritual reconstruction of my country.

‘I am asking God to give me the strength I need to participate in this reconstruction. There is a mass evacuation; people are going abroad or to the provinces. But I will stay here, where God is calling me to work.’

She added, ‘Many are thirsty for words of comfort and ask us for the Bible. Throughout the town, the streets are packed and many are praying. The air is unhealthy. There is the smell of dead bodies.’

Magda and all members of the Bible Society translation team in Haiti are safe – but Magda is sleeping outside her house because it is not safe. She said, ‘I am still traumatised. I cannot wake up from the nightmare.’

Bible Societies around the world are acting to meet the need for Scripture in Haiti. The Canadian Bible Society is working non-stop on translating Bible portions into Creole and French, and the Bible Society of Brazil is trying to fly 4,000 French Bibles into Haiti.

There are plans to provide tens of thousands of Scripture portions specifically designed for disaster victims. The booklets focus on bringing words of comfort and hope from the Bible, as well as practical steps following a crisis.

Melvin Rivera, Americas Area Secretary for United Bible Societies, said, ‘Many pastors and priests have died in the earthquake and people are taking refuge and seeking comfort in the churches that still stand. People are suffering and asking for God’s help. The need for the Bible is more urgent than we imagined.’

Bible Society supporters here have an opportunity to support the project to fly Scripture portions into Haiti.

Matt Parkes, Bible Society’s Director of Fundraising, said, ‘We’re acting urgently to give the people of Haiti what they are asking for – the Bible’s message of hope and comfort. Join with us by praying or giving. Help rebuild this broken community.’

To help bring the Bible to Haiti, visit www.biblesociety.org.uk/haiti