  Republic of Haiti Caribbean Geography Area: 27,400 sq km Western third of the island of Hispaniola; shared with the Dominican Republic Population: 10,188,175 Annual Growth: 1.6% Capital: Port-au-Prince Urbanites: 49.6% Peoples 9 people groups (11% unreached) More information about peoples Official Language French (10% speak it) Common languages include Haitian Creole, English, and Spanish (increasingly used as a second language) Economy The poorest state in the Western Hemisphere, aggravated by overpopulation, deforestation (only 2% of original forests remain), soil erosion, pollution and hurricanes. 75% of the population live on less than $2 per day. Literacy 51.9% but functional literacy may be as low as 20% Religion The Roman Catholic Church's role as the state church ended in 1987. An estimated 75% of Christians are also actively involved in voodoo, a development of West African Spirit-ism and witchcraft. Over 5,000,000 are members of an organized Protestant denomination. Largest Religion: Christianity Christians: 9,690,992 (95.2% of the population) Evangelicals: 1,633,193 (16% of the population) Answers to Prayer The spiritual response to the tragedy of the 2010 earthquake was an almost universal outpouring of prayer, repentance and calling upon God for mercy and deliverance. Evangelical Christians have steadily grown in number. Church-mission relations have improved greatly. Challenge for Prayer Haiti needs godly leaders who will prioritize the good of the nation and address its problems. Two centuries of misrule, tyranny and recent flawed democratic attempts have brought hopelessness and despair. Corruption is rampant, and robberies and kidnappings commonplace. The economic plight of most Haitians deepens each year, exacerbated by the events of 2010. Many seek to escape, some physically by fleeing the country in unsafe and leaky boats, others emotionally through taking drugs. Pray that men and women may be raised up who will reverse these trends and establish justice, righteousness, and long-term stability. The earthquake was a disaster. 230,000 lost their lives, 300,000 were injured, and over one million were rendered homeless. Hundreds of thousands of homes and buildings were also destroyed, including some major government buildings. Coordination of aid is difficult and assistance will be needed for a long time. The tyrannies, cruelties and use of voodoo as a means of control have fostered a spirit of fear that permeates every level of society. Pray the powerful spirits underlying voodooism might be bound in the name of Jesus. Pray that Haitians who call themselves Christians might experience the transforming nature of a personal relationship with Christ. Pray this nation might enjoy stability, safety and sustained development by removing the evils holding it back and by instilling Biblical values and practices on every level. Pray for renewal, reformation, and the cleansing work of the Holy Spirit throughout society. Leadership training is too limited because of the poverty of churches. A rigid traditionalism of imported theologies and systems is widespread. Many pastors have little training and some are barely literate. Pray for Bible schools and seminaries. Pray for resources in Haitian Creole that will foster lay training and leadership development. Missions plays a valuable supportive role to the national Church. Upheavals and violence have forced many missionaries out of the country at one time or another. Pray for servants of the Lord, for their testimony and service that they may contribute to the maturing of the Haitian Church. -Most of this information is taken from Operation World: The Definitive Prayer Guide to Every Nation - 7th Edition, by Jason Mandryk How are free Methodists helping Haiti?  Haiti Providence University - a Free Methodist liberal arts college
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