Comments about ‘LDS relief: Efforts are fostering cooperation in Haiti’

Does anyone know why there are no LDS missionaries in Haiti? I know they are allowed in the Dominican Republic.

From the DesNews dated June 11 2005...

More than two dozen missionaries for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints are among the foreign visitors who have been evacuated from Haiti because of increasing violence and instability in the Caribbean country.

LDS Church spokesman Dale Bills said that all of the missionaries in the Port-au-Prince mission had been "transported out of the country" because of safety concerns.

"This precautionary action was taken after the U.S. Department of State recommended that all American citizens leave the country due to the volatile security situation,"



If the Department of State ordered all Americans out back in 2005 because of instability and violence... Can things be much better now?

They pulled them out a couple of years ago because the country was too unstable.

An earlier article said there were no north American missionaries in Haiti. Not that there were no missionaries at all.

There are indeed LDS missionaries in Haiti -- somewhere between 70 and 90 of them! (I haven't heard an exact number for a while.) For a few years now, they've been exclusively Haitians. You probably meant to ask, "Why have there been no 'foreign' sister missionaries since 1991 and why have there been no 'foreign' couples or elders since 2005?" Answer: Because none have been called. Any attempts on our part to divine the exact reasons behind that would be nothing but speculation.

I was just curious about the missionaries in Haiti. I know a lot of local kids in the Dominican Republic, but hadn't heard of any in Haiti in a long time. Was just wondering if the government was the problem.

I was just going to say that if the government was the problem, they probably won't have a problem with the church after they see how service oriented and organized we can be.

There are usually some lessons learned on all sides after a tragedy like this.

It is refreshing to hear some good news about the disaster; that people are working well together in parts of Haiti. Still a long road. There is a lot that we all can learn from contributing where we can. Grateful for the church and it's preparations that food could be sent so quickly; and also people power. That people are helping each other to get by. The missionaries certainly lead a great example within the community. Thanks

Yes, there are missionries in Haiti but none from North America because of the on-going challenges to provide for their safety. They have all been accounted for and are helping with relief efforts as we speak.

I am interested in fostering a child or children from Haiti. Where should I seek information on this.

My son served in the Haiti mission from 89-91. He loved the people, had a great mission but also some harrowing experiences. At the conclusion of his mission my wife, another son and I went to Haiti to escort him home. We stayed in the Hotel Montana that collapsed last week and that has been the focus of quite a bit of attention. I have seen poverty in Cairo, Guatemala, Peru etc, but never have I been to a place like Haiti. The people were friendly and wore colorful clothing and we enjoyed them immensely. But the vast majority of them had so little compared to our North American society. The infrastructure was already abominable and now this! They deserve better than what their government leaders have done for them for decades and decades. We attended church there and had a very positive experience. I hope they can rebuild with a far better infrastructure. The people are so capable if given the chance for education and a decent standard of living. I would love to go back and help them, although I only speak French and not Creole.

I seriously hope the first comment was asked before the photo by Jeffrey D. Allred which is the lead photo with this article was posted, because otherwise it is just a mind boggling question.
It is clear there are LDS missionaries in Haiti, because there are two in a pciture from Haiti.

Children from Haiti don't need Fostering, they need adopting.

I am amazed that the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints can continue to offer help and supplies as world conditions seem continually in turmoil.

Since this article indicates a meetinghouse was being used (food and water was taken into the building) would this be a building the LDS church had built to the church's specifications and not as others in Haiti that seem to be built without any regulation or code?

I work for Wasatch International Adoptions in Utah placing children from Haiti. The U.S. Department of state has said the following:It can be extremely difficult in such circumstances to determine whether children who appear to be orphans truly are eligible for adoption. Children may be temporarily separated from their parents or other family members during a natural disaster or conflict, and their parents may be looking for them. It is not uncommon in an emergency or unsettled situation for parents to send their children out of the area, or for families to become separated during an evacuation. Even when it can be demonstrated that children have indeed lost their parents or have been abandoned, they are often taken in by other relatives in the extended family. During times of crisis, it can also be exceptionally difficult to fulfill the legal requirements for adoption of both the U.S. and the child's country of origin. This is especially true when civil authority breaks down or temporarily ceases to function. It can also be difficult to gather documents necessary to fulfill the legal requirements of U.S. immigration law

First on the ground and leading the effort. This is all about the LDS Church, baby!

First on the ground but the 2nd of the 82nd is bringing you food and water.

The greater the cooperation between all the organizations trying to help in this tragic situation, the more quickly help will be available. I'm grateful the Church is so well organized and has supplies close at hand to help when disaster strikes. The US Military is amazing is their ability to mobilize when something like this happens. Thanks also to the many other relief organizations, both religious and secular, who are contributing food, water, clothing, medical care, and whatever else needs to be done. I've read posts by many individuals who have specific skills, such as one man who has heavy equipment and has offered his services for a month to help with the removal of debris and rebuilding efforts. People are truly amazing when given the opportunity to serve their fellow men.

LDS are a very caring very giving organization. We don't want for much. We take care of the needs of those around us. To come to the aide of a city or country devastated by acts of nature is just a small part of things we do. I pray everyday for all those who have been affected by this disaster. This is my way of reaching out to them. It shouldn't take disasters such as this to bring people together and it is sad that it does. Everyone who can help out there is doing just that. We who can not go there find ways to help from here .To OK. To say lessons are learned is usually only shortlived. We need to be willing to help those in need even when the cameras have stopped rolling. Think about it, will ya'.

All LDS church buildings are built to incredibly high standards to lessen the need for expensive maintenance bills over the life of the building. This policy is practiced all over the world with all construction undertaken by the LDS Church.

What does this mean? It means that during natural disasters such as the one in Haiti, LDS churches are more likely to survive and be able to shelter the local community.