I write this on behalf of Father Richard HoLung and all the Missionaries of the Poor to thank the many friends and well-wishers who have called or e-mailed to express their sincere concern for our young Missionary Brothers serving the poor in Haiti. It is an encouragement to be assured of your concern and prayers for them at this most difficult time.

Our mission is situated in the heart of Cap-Haitien, the second largest city in Haiti. Here's the latest update (Monday, February 23, 7:00 a.m.) from Bro Louima Israel, MOP, our local mission superior in Cap-Haitien. Much of it is as you've seen and heard in the news - rebels have taken over the city, police stations torched and prisoners freed, sea and airports taken control of, and looted of goods, torching of homes and business places. All routes are blocked. Food, fuel, medical supplies and transport are cut off. Even electricity, water and telephone lines have been disconnected. Thanks to a wireless phone the Brothers acquired recently, specifically for such a situation, we're able to keep in touch with them. Bro Louima sounded tired, not having slept for a while. The city was fairly calm on Sunday night, February 22, he said, but no one knows what will happen next. He assured us that the eight Brothers we have there are fine, cheerful and committed in their service to the poor and the least. So are the 160 destitute homeless - elderly, disabled, HIV/AIDS patients - and 60 orphans at the mission.

Exactly 10 years ago, in 1994, Missionaries of the Poor opened a mission in Cap-Haitien and took over the care of the homeless at the Asile Communal, previously run by some Catholic nuns, who were no longer able to serve because of their their age and the lack of younger sisters. This was at the height of the US invasion. There were times back then when the Brothers would have no food for themselves and for the poor they cared for. They could not buy any food as there wasn't any in the markets. The US marines gave them some "military meals" and they survived. They stayed on. There was a time when some local thugs, used to regular stealing from the hospice before the Brothers took over, incited some people and the Brothers were verbally and physically assaulted. Still, they stayed and continued to serve.

Bro Louima is a Haitian, 37 years old. With him are Brothers Jacob (Indian - 32 years), Joe (Filipino - 25 years), John (Filipino - 25 years), Ajit (Indian - 24 years), Javier (Belizean - 28 years), Cleofas (Filipino - 28 years) and Bro Ajay (Indian - 23 years). Young men, brave men, dedicated men cheerfully serving the destitute, the weakest and least. Missionaries who have left their families, countries; indeed, everything to follow Christ to the Cross.

Many have asked us: "Why are your Brothers staying there at this time? They should leave and come to a safe place." No, we'll stay. We didn't go there to run away when things got difficult and dangerous. We went there to commit ourselves to the poor to whom the Lord sent us. We'll stay with them and serve them even if our lives are at risk. If we leave these little and weak ones, who will care for them and protect them? This is our Brothers' response. It is their resolve. This is missionary life.

Christians do not run away from the Cross. Instead, we run towards the Cross. We embrace the Cross. We hang on to the cross. That's the example of Christ, our Lord and Leader.

The Brothers in Cap-Haitien have told us that they have food only to last for another week. There's no food to buy. Some good friends in the US have come forward to send some basic food items. But will they reach the Mission? We can only watch, work and pray. We do our best and trust God will do the rest. And He will. He is our Father. He's the Father of the poor. "Blessed is he who considers the poor and the weak; the Lord delivers him in the day of trouble," says the Psalmist in Psalm 41:1.

Thanks for your prayers - not only for our missionary Brothers, but also for our poor and all the people who are innocent, weak and suffering. Jamaica is already helping Haiti. Wherever our Brothers are, despite their individual nationalities, they are fondly known as the "Jamaica Brothers", for here's our foundation. God Bless Haiti and Jamaica!

Rev Father Kulandairaj Ambrose is of Missionaries of the Poor.

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