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In the interim, south Florida churches are trying to assist Haitians. "We offer spiritual support through prayer, Christian love and acceptance," Hagewood says. The church offers English classes and helps find legal assistance. A Haitian doctor who is a member of the church also offers medical checkups.Further north in Ft. Pierce, Luc Dessieux was able to help Brinache and his children. The pastor sent a letter to the Haitian government and received a reply within three weeks. Three months later, Brinache's two younger children were able to seek asylum in the United States. Brinache and an older son were reunited last year.Dessieux's ministry is in jeopardy due to a lack of funds. The church will stop distributing food and clothes because of inadequate support. A grant from the United Methodist Church has run out and will not be renewed. The church also is closing its daycare center because it cannot find enough staff members.Yet Dessieux remains focused. "Our first responsibility is to preach the gospel and save as many souls as we can," Dessieux says. "Through some difficulties, we try to see how we can do social services to keep the community moving."

See yesterday's ChristianityToday.com article on the most famous of Cuba's refugees, Elián González: "Send Elián Home, Say Cuba's Evangelicals | Church leaders who don't usually agree with Castro or the Cuban Council of Churches say family comes first."

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April 24 2000, Vol. 44, No. 5