missionaries

About three hours ago, Christian Aid Ministries posted the following update on their website:

Prayer needs for Haiti situation

Thank you for your prayers, words of advice and correction, and notes of encouragement. We need your prayers! Here are some specific ways you can pray:

• Victims and their families. Sexual abuse leaves victims in a wake of trauma and difficulty. Pray for their healing and restoration.
• CAM Haitian and American staff and other mission staff in Haiti. Both CAM staff and those from other Anabaptist missions face many pressures in relation to this situation. Pray that God will give them strength and grace for today and the days ahead.
• Board of Directors and CAM management: We have been meeting frequently to work through this situation. Pray for us as we make decisions and take action to care for those who have been affected. Much discernment is needed as we review policies and practices, work to heighten staff awareness of abuse, and create better ways for staff members to communicate questions and concerns. We want to continually improve mechanisms to protect children and other vulnerable people.
• Victim care groups: Pray for all those who are seeking to respond to the needs of victims. Independent Anabaptist groups who have experience in dealing with sexual abuse victims are organizing themselves to help victims in Haiti. CAM also needs wisdom in fulfilling its responsibility toward victims.

Thank you for praying.

Sincerely,
The Board of Directors
Christian Aid Ministries (CAM)

I call it an update, but in reality, it’s more a prayer request statement. As you read for yourself, they’re reporting nothing new in what they have done regarding the leaders who failed them, their constituency, and the victims (who should have been protected by them). I hope the veil is lifted on that very soon. Those who would fault CAM for protecting (or at least shielding) these men will hardly be dissuaded by this morning’s statement. 🙁