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?