For most of its existence, the country of Haiti has been in a fragile state. Instability and corruption seem to infuse most aspects of culture and it is difficult to know who to trust and what to think of the issues that arise within the government. Who is actually trying to do what is best for the nation and who is simply striving for power? I don’t even pretend to know the answers to those questions…
Around three weeks ago the city of Port-au-Prince and the surrounding areas were mostly shut down for just under two weeks due to wide-spread violent protests and road blocks. The opposing parties of the current President were behind it all and were saying that these protests wouldn’t stop until the President stepped down. Our way of life up here in the mountains was basically untouched other than needing to close down school (due to rumored threats) and almost running out of propane. But we were safe and could go about daily life without fear. I know those in Port had a different story. Food and water were short for much of the ordinary Haitian population and more suffering and fear was added to their already difficult lives. Our ways of getting news was through phone calls with Haitian friends who were “in the know” and through other ministry/missionary posts on social media.
During those weeks (and even now) my heart hurts. It hurt for all of those in the middle of the violence and suffering, but it also hurt for how different ministries misused this difficult time to bring in more funding. There were several missionaries who chose to leave the country with their families when they had the opportunity. Because of road blocks there were some who needed to take a helicopter in order to get to the airport. I pass zero judgement on those who left and zero judgement on those who stayed. For those living near the chaos, either decision would be a difficult one. But I couldn’t help but get angry when I saw ministries post truth mixed with drama along with a donate button. Is this how we as followers of Christ should act? There were even foreign “mission” teams who started Go-Fund-Me pages because they were stuck somewhere (even though they were thoroughly warned by locals NOT to travel during those weeks). Unreal.
I could rant about more, but I won’t. I’m not sure how helpful it is. But here is the thing that is most helpful… the TRUTH. The truth is that things got crazy in the nation’s capital. The truth is that there was and still is a whole lot of political unrest (just like there has been the entire history of Haiti). The truth is that people were making road blocks everywhere in hopes to make money from the vehicles that tried to pass (and they used intimidation and violence to get it). The truth is that the general Haitian public was suffering and scared during those weeks but was stuck and had no plan ‘B’. The truth is that many missionaries left because they were scared or because the ministries they were apart of wanted them to leave. The truth is that even more missionaries stayed because they were safe tucked behind the walls of their mission base. The truth is that several ministries and foreign “mission” teams misused this situation to get money. The truth is that we who claim to follow Jesus should be honest in all things. The truth is that even though there aren’t any demonstrations right now, the political situation is still extremely unstable. The truth is that even though it seems impossible, the situation in Haiti CAN change. The truth is that our Heavenly Father loves the people of this nation and has a beautiful dream in His heart for them. The truth is that it is going to take the Church rising up in integrity, obedience and faith to see this dream come true. The Truth. What this nation needs, what we as people need is the Truth.