Marie Marthe Laurent Lafaille, the deacon’s wife who was kidnapped during an attack on First Baptist Church in Port-au-Prince, Haiti, has been released.
The Baptist World Alliance announced her release Friday morning, Oct. 1, after receiving word the night before.
Pastor Josué Mathieu wrote to the BWA: “Glorify the Lord! He is still the Great Liberator! A thousand and one thanks for your solidarity!”
The kidnapped woman’s husband, 60-year-old deacon Sylner Lafaille, was killed when armed gunmen stormed the early-morning worship service at First Baptist Church in Haiti’s capital city on Sept. 26.
Soon after the attack and abduction, the BWA issued a call to prayer for the traumatized church and for the release of the kidnapped woman.
As part of its Oct. 1 announcement, the BWA wrote on social media, “Thank you to all who have been praying for Sister Lafaille, the First Baptist Church of Port-au-Prince and the nation of Haiti.”
Political upheaval, civil unrest and natural disasters have rocked Haiti in recent months. Haitian President Jovenel Moise was assassinated on July 7. An earthquake measuring 7.2 on the Richter scale hit southwest Haiti on Aug. 14. Two days later, Tropical Storm Grace dumped several inches of rain on the region, causing flash floods.
The U.S. State Department in late August issued a Level 4 travel advisory for the nation, saying, “Do not travel to Haiti due to kidnapping, crime, civil unrest and COVID-19.”
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