Owning a book in Haiti is more of a luxury than a common occurrence. The high levels of poverty mean that many families cannot afford to purchase books, and public libraries are not readily available. Limited access to books severely restricts the opportunities for individuals to engage in independent reading and self-directed learning. It also means less people have the opportunity to read the Bible.

The scarcity of books has had a profound effect on what people know and believe about the world. Access to diverse reading materials offers a chance to expand a person’s understanding. Even more so, Scripture has the power to transform “by the renewing of your mind” (Romans 12:2). Without access to books, Haitians face a necessarily narrow worldview; without access to the Word of God, they face life without the hope of the gospel.

Even beyond the lack of printed books, Haiti has struggled with low literacy rates since print made its way to the nation. This is largely because of some harsh socio-economic factors. Haiti is one of the poorest countries in the Western Hemisphere, so a large portion of the country’s population lives in poverty. Families often struggle to meet basic needs, and education becomes a secondary concern when the focus is on survival. Many children are forced to work from a young age to contribute to the family income, leaving little time for schooling. They cannot read because they haven’t been taught.

In light of these realities, we have a special opportunity to give to those in need this year. From now until December 25, we’re raising money to buy print and audio Bibles for our pastors to distribute in Haiti. Each print Bible costs $TK, and each audio Bible costs $65. While the country continues in a state of crisis, what people need most is hope. A Bible that can be read reaches one person in need of the gospel; even more so, an audio Bible can be heard by up to 100 people. These Bibles provide a way for us to share the gospel while making God’s Word accessible in both a personal and social way.

Visit give.connect2ministries.org to learn how you can Give This Christmas.