Haiti: Free But Yet Oppressed

Haiti: Free But Yet Oppressed

Is there hope for the social hell of rural Haiti?

Life is full of paradoxes---seeming contradictions.  This makes it difficult for even an honest observer to present a balanced picture of what is going on in a society.   But for an ideologue, it is a perfect opportunity to make a half-truth appear to be the whole truth.

Haiti is a social paradox.

On the one hand, Haiti is free.  Haiti has its own statue of liberty in the capital city; this statue proudly points to the slave revolution which drove the French oppressors out of Haiti.  This statue survived the 2010 earthquake intact while the nearby 'White House' and 'Capitol Building' lay in ruins.

AFTER the earthquake, an old Haitian woman weepingly declared in front of the statue, "The free man will NEVER be broken."

Joy Thomas, in her report after hurricane Matthew, wrote:

"The Haitian people have a right to be weary and faint of heart.  Tropical Storm Sandy, the 2010 earthquake and now Hurricane Matthew, all of which gave immense devastation.  The loss of life is unimaginable, but for those who survived, life continues and usually with gratefulness to God for what is left. . . . the Haitian people will be refreshed through their constant stamina and their faith in God."

On the other hand---the other side of the paradox---, 500 years of oppression have traumatized Haiti, creating a socioeconomic hell, especially in rural Haiti.  If given a chance, nine out of ten Haitians would leave Haiti for the greener pastures of Canada or France or the United States, including most Christians.

Social death, social hell, social dysfunction, social PTSD.  But a few remarkable Haitians have decided not only to stay, but to voluntarily descend into the worst of the socioeconomic hell to minister.  To name a few of these courageous people:  Jean, Joy, Josiah, Joab, Sheslair, Smith, Eddie, Eventual, Kimson.  They responded to the call of God not to move up and out, but to move down and in---deeper into the heart of the social hell.  They have made a long term commitment to rebuild these devastated poor rural communities.

All three of the following components are required for success:

1.  trained Christian community development specialists,
2.  a generation in one location,
3.  a kingdom of God theology applied as justice for the oppressed.

In the providence of God, very literally so, the Riceville Haiti Mission Team became connected with the best Christian Community Development specialists in Haiti.  They are partnering with the best and bringing their best---resources and skills---to assist the local communities.  Now RHM needs some other Ricevillians to bring their best to assist the RHM, to enable them to double or triple their effectiveness.

If interested in becoming a partner---a praying partner, a giving partner, a going partner---, call 206-724-7215.

ps.    Freedom without justice is shallow, incomplete.  Freedom and justice, love and justice, spirituality and justice.