Davey and Natalie Lloyd were Americans working as missionaries in Haiti when they were shot dead by gang members in the war-torn country.
This is undoubtedly a tragedy, but some have used this horrific story to express contempt for missionary work, especially Christian missionary work in countries that have traditionally rejected Christian values.
Critics of the work often accuse it of being a form of evil imperialism, colonialism, and white supremacy.
“It has to end.” Allie Beth Stuckey “It’s a shame,” she says, dismayed by the cold reaction to the news of the couple’s deaths.
According to the Christian Post, an American couple and three missionaries, including Haitian mission leader Jude Monteith, were ambushed and killed by a Haitian gang.
Davy Lloyd was 23 and Natalie Lloyd was 21.
The couple, who were full-time missionaries in Haiti with an Oklahoma-based organization founded by Davey Lloyd’s parents in 2000, were attacked as they left a church by armed men in three trucks, who reportedly stole the trucks and other belongings from the mission.
“I think we can all look at the courage and love of Christ demonstrated by these young people and draw closer to the heart of God and become more aware of our own complacency and addiction to comfort,” Stuckey said.
Despite the bravery shown by the missionaries, users of X (formerly Twitter) continue to criticize them even after their deaths.
“Just a random question, but what is the point of Christian missionaries going to Haiti when 93% of the population is already Christian?” wrote one user, Karim Wafa Al Hussaini, in a now-viral tweet.
“It’s because of white supremacy. Next question?” one user replied. “They think they’re the wrong kind of Christians,” another said.
Other users claimed it was for “human trafficking” and “the gram” (Instagram).
“These people, of course, don’t understand Christianity, and even if they did understand Christianity, they don’t believe it’s something that should be spoken about, because of course they don’t believe it’s good news,” Stuckey said.
While some have defended the Lloyds, arguing that they were there to provide humanitarian aid and resources, many others argue that they were simply performative white saviors.
“Overwhelmingly, Christians are the greatest force for good in history, the greatest humanitarian force in history. Not even close,” Stuckey said.
“From the beginnings of Christianity, to the founding of hospitals, orphanages and organisations to feed and clothe the poor, to the creation and dissemination of the idea of human rights, and the work we see throughout history to this day.”
“Christians are people who, without profit, are willing to go to the most dangerous and poorest areas to bring life, hope and resources. Again, there is nothing else like it,” she added.
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