Some FACTS about Haiti

The CIA fact book, and the Hands and Feet Website

Official Name: Republic of Haiti
Population: 8,490,200
Capital City: Port-au-Prince (1.4 million)
Languages: French (official), French Creole (official)

The native Arawak Amerindians - who inhabited the island of Hispaniola when Columbus discovered it in 1492 were virtually annihilated by Spanish settlers within 25 years. In the early 17th century, the French established a presence on Hispaniola, and in 1697, Spain ceded to the French the western third of the island - Haiti. The French colony, based on forestry and sugar-related industries, became one of the wealthiest in the Caribbean, but only through the heavy importation of African slaves and considerable environmental degradation. In the late 18th century, Haiti's nearly half million slaves revolted under Toussaint L'OUVERTURE and after a prolonged struggle, became the first black republic to declare its independence in 1804. Haiti has been plagued by political violence for most of its history since then, and it is now one of the poorest countries in the Western Hemisphere.

* Haiti is the poorest country in the western Hemisphere.
* One out of five children die from preventable illnesses before reaching the age of five.
* Diarrhea is the leading cause of death for children under five
* Only 50% of the population have access to running water
* 300,000 child laborers
* 2,500 street children in Port au Prince alone.
* GNI per capita for Haiti is $450 (in 2005)
* Under-five mortality rate for Haiti is 120 (in 2005) 120 out of 1000 die before they are 5 years old.
* Infant mortality rate for Haiti is 84 (in 2005) 84 out of 1000 die before the age of one.
* Life expectancy is 51
* 50% of the population lives on less than $1 a day.
* 80% of the population lives on less than $2 a day

Travel Warning from the State Department

This Travel Warning is being issued to remind American citizens of ongoing security concerns in Haiti, including frequent kidnappings of Americans for ransom. Travelers are strongly advised to thoroughly consider the risks before travel to Haiti, and to take adequate precautions to ensure their safety if traveling to Haiti. This Travel Warning reinstates and updates the Travel Warning issued January 10, 2007.

U.S. citizens traveling to and residing in Haiti are reminded that there is a chronic danger of violent crime, especially kidnappings. Most kidnappings are criminal in nature, and the kidnappers make no distinctions of nationality, race, gender or age; all are vulnerable. As of the date of this travel warning, there have been 12 Americans kidnapped in 2007, most in Port au Prince. Past kidnappings have been marked by deaths, physical and sexual assault, and shooting of Americans. The lack of civil protections in Haiti, as well as the limited capability of local law enforcement to resolve kidnapping cases, further compounds the element of danger surrounding this trend.

U.S. citizens are also reminded of the potential for spontaneous protests and public demonstrations that can occur at any time, day or night, and may result in violence. American citizens are advised to take commonsense precautions and avoid any event where crowds may congregate. Visitors and residents must remain vigilant due to the absence of an effective police force in much of Haiti, the potential for looting, the presence of intermittent roadblocks set by armed gangs or by the police, and the possibility of random violent crime, including carjacking and assault.

Travel is hazardous within Port-au-Prince. Some areas are off-limits to embassy staff, including downtown Port-au-Prince, after dark. U.S. Embassy personnel are under an embassy-imposed curfew and must remain in their homes or in U.S. government facilities during the curfew. The embassy limits travel by its staff to areas outside of Port-au-Prince and therefore the ability to provide emergency services to U.S. citizens outside of Port-au-Prince is constrained. The UN stabilization force (MINUSTAH) remains fully deployed and is assisting the government of Haiti in providing security.

Due to the current security situation in Haiti, the Department of State reminds U.S. citizens traveling to or residing in Haiti to remain vigilant with regard to their personal security.

A ministry of Reconciliation

Time is a funny thing. A lot changes in just a short period of time, or... nothing changes in a long period of time. I have changed a lot in the past 2 years. I have waffled back and forth in several directions and I still wonder where I'll be in just a few short months. I don't know that I have the answer. What I do know is that I have been given the ministry of reconciliation. Really, we have all been given the ministry of reconciliation according to 2 Corinthians, but I have been given the ministry of reconciliation. It is my call to put a choice in front of people and force (not by physical force of course) them to make a decision one way or the other.

It's kind of funny though because this is coming from me. I have been dry, spiritually speaking. I have been sinning "more" in recent months. I have been doubting "more" in recent months. All of this to say that it comes from a 'less that perfect' candidate for this "ministry" of reconciliation. The thing is, I may be the most qualified type of candidate.

Think about it, can you speak of grace unless you have experienced it? Can you talk of obedience unless you have learned to be disciplined? Can you talk of love unless you have felt love, and given it freely? It is the same with the ministry of reconciliation, can you speak of it unless you have known it? Reconciliation is like getting saved, it is being restored and made right. For some, they must be reconciled for the first time which results in salvation. For others (such as myself), I must be reconciled periodically when I wander from "The Way". So it is no surprise then that I, of all people, would be called to such a ministry.

I know what some of you are thinking... "It's the same hypocritical Christianity preaching down to me from 'on high'". But that's not it at all. I am a sinner. I have messed up, and I will mess up again. Surprise surprise! There are sinners in the church! Wow. This is why that ministry of reconciliation is so key to the vitality of the church and those surrounding the church. We are all in need of a savior every day. For me I need to be saved from my fleshly urges and selfish desires. Some need to be saved from their sins that keep them bound in hell instead of free in heaven.

Eternity is just a breath away. You can't see it, but in the dimension next door lies your fate, your destiny, your final location. So chose wisely whom you shall follow. No doubt you will follow someone or something, but only one Way leads to life and freedom. All other roads lead to death and hell itself. I say this not to pronounce judgment, that is not my place. It is my place however to present the facts of the case and provide you with a choice, you either chose His Way, or you do not. This is the ministry of reconciliation.

So how can I go to Youth Venture, or Mexico, or Haiti, or the store and neglect this message? How can you? Just a thought. Take it or leave it, the choice is yours anyway...

On my mind

I just got a text message from my friend Dan and all it said was, God is good. I asked him if there was a particular reason for the text, his response? "No". Smile, because God is good. Inside I am smiling because no matter what happens, no matter what goes on in life I can know, that God is good. This is a shock to my senses sometimes because I see so many things that make me feel like if God was so good, then why would he let these kinds of things happen. But the reality of life is that in spite of the bad things of the world, God is still good.

I see orphans at the Hands and Feet Project and I hear the stories that they have had to endure. I am heart broken at those stories. In my carnal mind I wonder and doubt the goodness of God, but in my Spirit I know the truth, God is good! I know this because I see His goodness in the faces of those children. I think that many people focus on the sadness and the pity of the kids, but they forget the kids. God is good! He loves those kids and this is evident in the faces of these children.

We see poverty and we cringe, wondering how God could let such a thing happen. But what we miss is the goodness of God in the middle of it. God is good. Have you ever seen the joy that comes from being invited into a person's home to eat a meal with them, when it is the last food they have? They are hinging everything on the goodness of God to take care of them. I see that and I am sad, they see it as an opportunity. God is good.

Does anyone speak FRENCH?

So Haiti's official language is French, even if most people speak Creole. So I am resolutely deciding to learn French. I still think Spanish is the focus, and I need to really master Spanish, but I want to learn the basics of French and be able to effectively communicate the basics! This is exciting stuff, I went to the bookstore today to look into getting a French phrase book and maybe some CD's, but it would be great if anyone speaks French and would like to help me learn. I am sure there are others on our team that would also like to learn French, so as the need grows, I will get more desperate in finding someone to teach me the basics... Only 175 days until our flight leaves LAX for Port Au Prince!

Some prayer requests:

1. Creativity in raising money for the trip
2. Vision and anointing for the team
3. Protection physically and financially for our team
4. Protection physically and financially for the Hands and Feet orphanage

I will update this as I learn more about what we're doing and what the needs of the orphanage are.

1st post in a new blog...

So I'll be starting off on a new journey toward Haiti and possibly the Dominican Republic starting July 11th. Our team of 10 people will officially begin the journey together as of January 20th, 2008. It is at that time that the team will be required to put a deposit, and begin to make serious plans. While going on a 'mission trip' is noble, it is not something to walk into lightly. For us, the "short-termers", taking a week long vacation to go build some new buildings and play with some kids is fun and growing and adventurous. But for the missionaries who live at the orphanage in Haiti, it is life. They live there day in, and day out. For us, if it gets too dangerous (see the CIA fact book) we leave quickly. For those who live there, they must remain and deal with the issues as they come up. Please pray for our team and if you feel led, please donate your time, money, and resources to insure the success of the trip. Thanks!