A young American missionary couple and a local director of their ministry have been murdered by a gang in the Haitian capital Port-au-Prince.
Davy and Natalie Lloyd who were both in their early twenties were ambushed by heavily armed men in three trucks while leaving a youth activity at a church compound with Haitian director and father of two Jude Montis and several children.
A rival gang of armed men arrived and shots were fired, killing a gang member. That prompted the dead man’s colleagues to hunt down the Lloyds and Mr. Montis.
The compound was run by Oklahoma-based Missions in Haiti Inc. founded by Davy’s parents David and Alicia Lloyd in the year 2000. They dedicated their ministry to setting up homes for children as well as schools and churches.
Davy and Natalie Lloyd were full-time missionaries, committed to organising education and religious services for children, especially orphans. The couple moved to Haiti shortly after their marriage two years ago.
23-year-old Davy had spent most of his life with his parents in Haiti, but attended college in the US. In 2005, Davy and his siblings were kidnapped, but rescued after 21-hours.
Natalie was the 21-year-old daughter of Missouri politician Ben Baker who posted: “My heart is broken in a thousand pieces. I’ve never felt this kind of pain. Most of you know my daughter and son-in-law Davy and Natalie Lloyd are full time missionaries in Haiti. They were attacked by gangs this evening and were both killed. They went to Heaven together. Please pray for my family we desperately need strength. And please pray for the Lloyd family as well. I have no other words for now.”
Gangs are effectively in control of the capital where law and order has broken down and a stable and effective government has yet to be installed. Nearly half of Haiti’s population faces food shortages.
The US has called for the immediate deployment of hundreds of police from Kenya to help restore security with American help. Kenyan President William Ruto told the BBC the peacekeeping police force is expected to arrive in Haiti in about three weeks.
Photo: Facebook – Ben Baker
