Who cares what happens to Haiti?

By Barbara Edwards	From Randal Dick Superintendent of Missions

 PASADENA—Once again the government of Haiti has collapsed—this time under President Jean-Ber­trand Aristide, its 45th president since independence in 1804.

Haiti's Economy Gross domestic product (GDP): $3.9 billion GDP per capita: $280 GDP growth: -3.8% Literacy: 50.8% Life expectancy at birth: 49.1 years Undernourished population: 50% Telephones per 1,000 people: 25 Analysis by Steve Schiffers, BBC News Online economic reporter. Source: World Bank, United Nations Development Program.

This is Haiti’s bicentennial year, but there is not much to celebrate. Dire poverty, illiteracy and corruption are only a few of Haiti’s maladies.  Is it any wonder that these long-suffering people are discouraged and disillusioned?

Haiti is only 600 miles from the United States. It has long been the poorest nation in the Western Hemisphere. Globally, it is on the bottom rung of the economic ladder. Why is Haiti always in such a desperate state? Can anything be done to help?

Surprising parallels

The United States and Haiti share a common history. Both threw off European colonialism and became the first independent nations in the modern Western Hemisphere. Independence for one immediately led to freedom for its slaves, whereas the slaves of the other had to wait more than 80 years. One became a weakened, isolated, pariah state following its independence; the other became the strongest and richest nation the world has ever seen.

What happened?

In 1492, during a time of challenge, exploration and conquest, Christopher Columbus landed on Haiti’s north coast at present-day Cap Haitien. The country was mineral-rich and abundant in fruits.

It is reported that Columbus wrote, “I have found paradise.” The Arawak, the original inhabitants, called the island Ayti, meaning “land of mountains.” However, in honor of Spain, Columbus’ sponsor, he named the island La Isla Espanolo—The Spanish Island, which is modern-day Hispaniola.

The Arawaks embraced Columbus and his conquistadores as allies against the Caribs, a cannibalistic, cruel, ferocious and warlike people. However, the Spanish used their military superiority to enslave both the Arawak and Caribs. Through abuse, sickness and forced labor, the native population was decimated within 40 years.

The Spanish ceded one third of Hispaniola to the French in 1697. (The eastern two thirds of Hispaniola is today the Spanish-speaking Dominican Republic.) The French renamed their new colony Saint-Domingue. They established a flourishing slave-plantation system, and by the end of the 18th century, Saint-Domingue was the world’s richest and most profitable colony.

The population at that time totaled more than 450,000 slaves from West Africa, more than 25,000 free mulattoes (people of mixed white and black ancestry),and about 30,000 French planters. The merchants and plantation owners became prosperous, while the slaves were subjugated and condemned to lifelong forced labor. Any attempt at rebellion or resistance was met with savage brutality. 

The French colonies in the Caribbean were involved in fighting elsewhere in the Western Hemisphere, including participation in the United States’ fight for independence. About 800 Haitian volunteers fought in the American Revolution, where they gained valuable military experience. Sixteen years later the French Revolution established another republic founded on the principles of Liberty, Equality and Fraternity.

The revolution in France inspired the Haitian slaves to revolt against their oppressors. It was led by ex-slave Toussaint L’Ouverture. He freed the slave population and in 1798 became governor-general. Toussaint L’Ouverture was a brilliant man whose vision was for a free and equal Haiti working in harmony and cooperation with the French. But it was not to be.

Napoleon Bonaparte intended to dominate the world, including the Western Hemisphere. An independent ex-colony was not in his plans to re-establish the French Empire. He sent an army of 40,000 to regain control over Saint-Domingue and to re-impose slavery. But the Haitians had tasted freedom and were determined not to allow the oppression and cruelty of slavery to be reinstituted.

The military campaign was brutal. Thousands of Napoleon’s men were lost to yellow fever and guerrilla warfare. He was defeated, and in 1804, the independent Republic of Haiti was proclaimed. Slavery was outlawed—a bold and radical move. Haiti was the first and for a time the only country in the Western Hemisphere where slavery was forbidden.

The European colonial powers refused to recognize Haiti’s independence. Even the newly independent United States did not formally recognize Haiti, fearing that the concept of freedom from slavery would “infect” slaves on U.S. soil and disrupt its flourishing economy. So, from the moment of its birth, Haiti became an international pariah state—isolated and weak. And that is the way it has been for 200 years.

After two centuries of nationhood, Haiti has little to celebrate. Although nominally Christian, Voodoo shares the stage as a sanctioned religion. The strong-man political culture has resulted in 37 coups d’etats. The country is seriously overpopulated—currently about eight million, but nobody knows for sure. It is stripped of natural resources, and desperately needs development. But the world has other priorities, and the outlook for this tiny country is grim.

What does Haiti need?

Prayers are needed! Too simplistic? With our human eyes and understanding we see Haiti’s

 <- WCG school in Haiti

greatest needs in terms of political, social and economic reform. But Haiti’s greatest need is spiritual. Understandably, considering its sad history, many Haitians are ready to give up. Foreign investors likewise see little potential.

God sees Haiti differently. He does not look on it with natural eyes. He mourns over the atrocities. He sees the tears and hears the prayers. He sees beyond the physical poverty. He sees Haiti washed as clean as snow.

Haitians need help, not only from the international community to aid the reconstruction of their country. They need friends to aid them in the reconstruction of their hearts. The people struggle with a poor self image and a sense of fatalism. They have lost the capacity to hope. John Halford, making a pastoral visit, was told: “Forget about us. Nothing ever works here.” Our church in Haiti

Haitian Christians (including WCG members) realize that their kingdom is not of this world. Although they are affected by the country’s pervasive pathos, they try to keep their priorities from becoming blurred.

The WCG in Haiti began in the 1970s. The church has had several resident ministers. Blaise Franklin, the current pastor, moved back to Haiti from the United States about 20 years ago and established a bakery business. For many years his home was the meeting hall, office and social center.

For a while, the roof of his home became a workshop where members could be trained and em­ployed. The love and dedication of Mr. Franklin and his family has been a major factor in the survival of our small congregation in Haiti. Life has not been easy, and it still isn’t.

A few years ago, the church purchased an old home, which was remodeled into an office and meeting hall. In 1997, they decided to serve the community by using the premises as a kindergarten and school—Les Ambassadeurs’ Centre Educative Classique Evangelique (CECE).

The children receive a Christian education from kindergarten to primary school (called fondamentale).  They leave the institute at age 12 or 13. Mr. Franklin is the academic director. Enrollment is 217 children —180 in kindergarten and 37 in primary school.

Because of the insecurity and economic situation, many parents cannot pay tuition, so the survival of the school economically is a constant struggle.

You can help

Jack Brunet, pastor of the French-speaking Caribbean churches, visited Haiti March 25 to 29. He reported: “The members are fine, not injured, just tired and disillusioned living in a country where there is no real hope. The only hope is in Christ. The last time John [Halford] and I came to Haiti, we saw Haiti like the doors of hell; but I can say today, it is the hall of hell. Because of the fight to survive, the insecurity, the anarchy, the transportation problems, it is difficult for the brethren to come to church.”

So, please do not forget Haiti in your prayers. The greatest need for the members is to be encouraged to be a light in Haiti’s darkness. Pray that their hearts will be engaged upward—that the future kingdom will be more real to them than their present circumstances.

Pray for vision and that they will come to know Jesus Christ intimately. Pray that they will make Christianity attractive to onlookers and be transformed to manifest the love of God. Pray that God will raise up dynamic and committed leaders—leaders with integrity and a heart for God.

Encourage the members. Let them know that we are a worldwide church and they are integral to the body. They are not an abandoned little outpost of the church. Author John El­dredge said that “it’s the little platoons that change the world.”

Haiti’s People Population: 7,750,000 (estimate) Ethnic Groups: African descent (95 percent, African and European descent (5 percent) Religions: Roman Catholic (80 percent), Protestant (16 percent); Voodoo practices pervasive. Education: Six years compulsory Health: Infant mortality rate—93 out of 1000 (estimate 2001) CIA: The World Factbook—Haiti; “Haiti, Microsoft Encarta Online Encyclopedia 2004 Trinity Collage Haiti Program, Washington, D.C. Web site: www.haiti-usa.org/haitibasics/index.php

E-mail messages can be sent to Mr. Franklin at jblaise12@ transnethaiti.com.

During the recent crisis in Haiti, the church was greatly encouraged to receive messages of support from many parts of the world.

God cares about Haiti. He has not forgotten them. Neither should we.