Church members say team is back in U.S. after missionary killed
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HENDERSON, Tenn. — A West Tennessee team of missionaries returned from Haiti on Monday after a tragic loss of one of their own. Roberta Edwards was shot and killed while serving at a children’s home. Those who returned were only about half a mile away from the tragic shooting, and church leaders reflect not only on Edwards’ mission but the church’s mission as a whole. Videos show just how loved Edwards was, known to many children living in Haiti as “Mom.” A team on a medical mission from Estes Church of Christ in Henderson had joined Edwards on Friday, but less than 24 hours after the team arrived, they were sent home, escorted by police to keep them safe. As Edwards was driving, she was shot and killed by a gunman, and her son went missing. “All of us know to some degree the situation is quite volatile in Haiti, that human life is not as highly regarded as we wish it were,” Dr. Mark Blackwelder said. Blackwelder is a minister at Estes and said missionary work comes with a risk. In a country with political instability, the State Department had issued a travel alert due to upcoming elections. But in their 15 years serving in Haiti, Blackwelder said they’ve never experienced anything like this. “You don’t expect anything as blatant as this to happen, so obviously people were afraid, and legitimately so,” Blackwelder said. Although this one mission ended in tragedy, the church’s mission must continue, church leaders say. “She would have been the first to say this was never her work, it’s God’s work,” Blackwelder said. “That work needs to be continued. There’s still children that need to be fed, children in that home who need care provided.” The church said they are sending a smaller team back to Haiti to counsel the kids in the home and others in that area who knew her. The investigation into what happened is still active, and the incident remains a mystery for now. Edwards’ body will be transported to her home in North Carolina. Estes Church of Christ said they’re planning a service for her in the coming weeks.
