Devotions

In devotions this week, one of our Haitian staff members explained that it is being suggested that the earthquake is a result of God punishing Haiti for the sins of its past. For example voodoo has been a big tradition here, and the government has a history of corruption. According to Transarency International, Haiti is indeed the 10th most corrupt country in the world. Even now, INGOs are unable to get vehicles out of customs because the government wants to charge 40% tax and is delaying the paperwork while charging a daily rent for keeping the vehicles... So in the midst of disaster it is still depriving its people of what they need. But to suggest that God is somehow punishing Haiti by sending an earthquake is just wrong. I believe God is able to bring good out of terrible situations. There are thousands of people who have come here, many as volunteers, to try to make a difference, and are able to see just how extreme the poverty has been here. Haiti was the poorest country in the western hemisphere before this happened, but was so often ignored. People are finally recognising the great need in Haiti and that now is a chance to rebuild it into something better than before, and leave a legacy for its people. The point of the devotions was that God forgives sin completely when we ask Him, and that He does not then punish us for past mistakes. There are many Christian people in Haiti who have nothing left but to believe that God cares and can help them. Why would people try to take that away from them too?

Haitian Revolt

Today a strike was announced: "All of the workers that have lost their assets, those living from under the tents, must be given decent housing, their children must go to school and they must be offered financing to get back on their feet." It is completely understandable that people feel like that. Living in tents in torrential rain for the last few days would wear anyone down. Haitians have been living like that for months. To do so with thousands of other people, each tent containing an extended family, and not having enough to eat, cannot even be imagined by those of us who have not had to go through it. Two demonstrations were organised last week that came to nothing. This one seems to be gaining momentum, but again may come to nothing. They are demanding that President Preval act within 3 days to change the electoral system in order to have "non-fraudulent elections". The Haitians have a history of strikes, revolutions and overthrowing the government. Whether they have the energy to do so now is very difficult to predict. They have been very patient up to now, but it has to give sometime. Tearfund, like many other agencies, is working hard to give people transitional hurricane-proof shelters, but we are already into hurricane season, and it is an impossible task to provide them for everyone soon enough. We must hope that whatever we do makes a difference, and pray that no big hurricanes hit an already devastated country this year.

Back in Haiti

I have been back in Haiti for 2 weeks now, and am beginning to understand the changes that have taken place as a result of the earthquake. As someone who lived and worked here for a year before the earthquake happened, it is easy to see some changes, but others are hidden much deeper. I can see the devastation in terms of buildings, rubble, and seas of blue tarpaulin that make up people's tents. I can see how little people have as whole extended families live on a patch of ground 2m by 3m. I can see the dirt and dust, more of it than before, and people washing in the street trying to maintain whatever dignity they can. What is harder to see is the bewilderment as they wonder if this is how they will live forever, and the sense of hopelessness as they try just to get enough food for each day. Many people seem lost. Some think this is the end. And yet there is real hope: the pride in staff as they work, wanting to do the best job they can; the smile that lights up a child's face as I pass by; knowing that whatever I do may be so little, but it better than doing nothing at all. Haiti has changed beyond recognition, but my job here now is to bring hope and to do what little I can that will change someone's life for the better. I am glad to be here!