A Year of Progress in Haiti

It was over a year ago now that we first made our way into Port-au-Prince after last year's devastating earthquake. I still remember how the magnitude of the destruction became increasingly apparent as we advanced farther into the city. The vendors who once sold all manner of goods ranging from fresh baked bread to used clothes were absent from the once busy streets of the nation's capital. Buildings lay in rubble, roads were choked with debris and people moved about amongst the remains of their houses and businesses in chaos.

Sights, sounds and smells associated with those early days after the quake were still fresh in my mind two weeks ago as we made our way through the throngs of people and clogged traffic on the streets of Port-au-Prince. Makeshift tent cities are scattered about and vendors busily sell their wares while 90% of the broken concrete, steel and the remaining wreckage still litter the streets. One cannot imagine the magnitude of the task that lies ahead. The world has turned out en masse; yet in many respects things are still a mess.

We made it through the overcrowded streets and out to Leogane. Our team had the privilege of returning once again to Sous Savanne; the community where we believe the Lord has led Hope Force International (HFI) to focus much of our recovery efforts. As we made our way into the village, a thirty minute ride up a road pockmarked with potholes, I couldn't help but took back nine months to the day that we "discovered" the 300+ families who make up Sous Savanne. They were huddled together under makeshift shelters constructed of sticks, sheets and blankets.  The sun was beating down on them and it appeared that the rainy season planned to begin early.

We arrived and I was quickly brought back to the present as warm smiles, strong handshakes and gentle touches of the children welcomed us back to Sous Savanne. Today HFI's relationship with the people of the village is warm and deep.  Together we've provided emergency shelter for hundreds of people and assistance on a monthly basis to over 50 families; this translates into nearly 300 people. The people of Sous Savanne consistently convey a sense of sincere gratitude. 

Our future plans include community health education, clean water, and hopefully permanent housing projects in collaboration with other partners.  We also hope to offer English acquisition programs, something our friends say would be "too wonderful", Vacation Bible School for the children and possibly a well-designed clothing distribution initiative. We truly believe that the Gospel of Jesus is being portrayed consequently impacting lives both now and for eternity.

A highlight of our time in Sous Savanne was the opportunity to participate in the food distribution program. Hope has a chance despite great tragedy and loss because of what the Lord has done for us and through us as we follow in His footsteps.

In the midst of Haiti's election crisis, cholera epidemic, and one-year commemoration of January's earthquake, former dictator Jean-Claude Duvalier ("Baby Doc") returned to the country, ending a 25-year exile. Arriving on the day originally scheduled for the run-off election, there is speculation that his return is politically motivated and the country could experience turmoil in the weeks ahead. December's preliminary elections resulted in riots that closed the airport and the streets of Port-au-Prince for five days. Please pray for peace in Haiti and the work of Hope Force International in this nation.