We are asking for prayer on behalf of Danny and Leann Pye. If you know anyone who may have media connections to help get his story out in a desperate plea for his freedom, please let us know.
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Daniel Pye, a Christian missionary who runs an orphanage in Haiti, has been
incarcerated in a Haitian prison since mid October. He was arrested without
being charged and held without possible release till Dec 24. At that point
he was released briefly and re-arrested in the parking lot of the prison the
same day being charged with possession of illegal documents. He remains in
prison today.
Danny came to Haiti 6 years ago founding a ministry to help children whose
parents were unable financially to keep their children. At the home, there
are 22 youngsters from very young to teens. They receive nutritious meals,
clothing, a bed to sleep in, an education, and "parents" who love them. A
few months before Papa Danny was jailed, the family had the joy of learning
that another little "Danny" was on the way. Mama Leann was pregnant with a
little boy that they were all anxious to welcome home.
This happy family has been separated by this travesty, and the orphanage
children as well as Leann and their daughter Riann, deprived of their
husband and father. Since his jailing, Danny has had malaria, severe
vomiting and diarrhea requiring IV fluids, and of course myriad skin
infections from the heat, humidity and vermin. Fortunately he has not had
cholera which has hit his prison. He is currently suffering from
malnutrition as a result of the imprisonment. In Haitian jails, you only
get decent food if your family provides it, which of course Danny's does.
But how can you eat good food when the others sit and watch you? You share,
of course.
Danny is accused of possessing an ID card. This is a card that used to be
provided by the government of Haiti in a plastic card format. It is now
just a paper. Because it resembles a voter registration card for Haitian
citizens there was some confusion as to how he could have one. The US
embassy has written several letters of complaint to the Haitian justice
system. The justice system has stated that it is not illegal for Danny to
possess this card and has reprimanded the judge in charge of this fiasco,
but he has refused to comply. Meanwhile, Danny languishes in jail. Danny's
hair is falling out, his already thin frame is getting thinner, and he is
extremely weak from lack of activity. (Going out into the yard is very
risky because many fights break out there) His stomach has been getting
touchy and since Feb 6 he has not been able to keep solids down so he has
quit trying. He has subsisted on Cokes for 11 days at this writing.
Leann had to leave Haiti for the US a couple weeks ago because she is due to
deliver their baby in just a few short weeks. Christmas without her husband
was depressing. How much more so delivering their second child?
Danny Pye is being held illegally as stated even by Haiti's own judicial
system. Neither the US embassy, state department, nor UN have been able to
effect a release. Must an innocent American die in a Haitian jail before
action is taken?
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