Alumnus Joel Moise Dorinsville said, "When the quake began, I had just come out of a classroom after teaching the subject of Mission and Contemporary Society.”
He received Haggai Institute's advanced leadership training at the Mid-Pacific Center in 2008. He has a bi-vocational ministry, serving as a pastor at the Upper-Limbe Baptist Church and also as assistant professor at the School of Theology in the Northern Haiti Christian College.
After getting down on his knees and praying for God’s mercy and intervention, Joel grabbed the phone to find out whether family, friends, and other alumni had been spared. That’s when he discovered that all communication lines were down.
"All I could do was surrender the situation to God’s merciful care and get on with the task at hand.”
Around 230 Haggai Institute alumni are making a difference to Haiti’s population of 9,035,536. Of that population, around 50,000 are reported dead or missing.
The massive 7.0 magnitude earthquake that struck the Caribbean island on Tuesday, 12 January may have startled the unprepared nation - but H.I. graduates are doing whatever it takes to help their people recover.
Many nations have stepped forward with financial and medical aid. H.I. alumni are also focusing on the spiritual healing, comfort, and onward journey that Christ alone can provide.
Currently, Joel is part of the delegation of leaders coordinating the supply of food and antibiotics to the most affected areas.
Said Joel: “In the past, Haiti has been through several catastrophes, like hurricanes, floods, civil unrest, and war, but none have been so alarming as this one. However, the training I gained from Haggai Institute has taught me that this is precisely the kind of situation in which we can become agents of change, both spiritually and socially.”
Alumna Marlaine Alex was on a tight schedule in the U.S. when the news of the earthquake reached her. She made immediate plans to return, despite discouraging reports of closed airports and downed communication lines.
Marlaine and her husband are responsible for two children’s homes in Haiti. She invites prayer for God’s compassion and grace, as she begins the work of restoration.
Haiti has claims to historic distinction. Having won a slave revolt against Napoleonic France, Haiti became the world’s first black-governed republic. French continues to be the official language, along with Creole. The people are energetic, resilient, and full of zeal.
“The alumni association in Haiti is one of our most active and vibrant," said Sundar Sangma, H.I.'s Vice President of International Advancement.
It is a blessing for Haiti that Haggai Institute leaders are active in the midst of the crisis.
