As I am sitting in the chikoon, the large gazebo where we are staying, I look out to the view of the beautiful ocean beach to see local fisherman lay out their nets—this is not what I expected it to look like my first trip to an undeveloped nation. As we drove to Haiti, I had a lot of time to process our time in the Dominican Republic, but also time to think about what Haiti would be like. What does it mean to be the poorest country in the western hemisphere, much less, devastated by a natural disaster? Even though nothing stood out quite like I thought it would on the bus ride in, when got to Port Au Prince it was like the country came alive. We switched from a nice coach bus to an old school bus designed for 30 (which we packed 43 along with our packs). As we drove through the streets, the smell of garbage and human waste was a full on assault. Streets here are only half built, buildings are still in disarray, and no sign of stability exists in the streets. We drove past the tent cities; my heart broke when I realized they had been living in these tents for two years unable to find a home.
There is no concept of sanitation among the people. Even sadder still is the lack of respect for life which became very real when on Sunday we were part of a car accident. The bus got a flat tire and was unable to drive us to ministry for the day, so we rode in shifts in a pick-up. I was in the first load, and as we turned into the church, a motorcycle tried to pass us. The truck and the bike met and threw both riders off the bike. Luckily, everyone in the truck was safe. However, both riders on the motorcycle where hurt. The driver was scraped up and his passenger had a broken femur (one of the most painful injuries a human can endure). Similar to an accident in America, the police showed up and began to investigate. The difference was the whole town came out and crowded the bodies touching them and yelling at them. As the police loaded them up into the back of a truck, I was floored about how flippant the police were about taking care of the injured. They had no concept of basic first aid.
The lack of infrastructure and stability tears my heart apart. On the other hand, the people here are such beautiful and smart people. Those who have found the Lord here in Haiti have so much joy. Many of the Haitians we have worked alongside know multiple languages and on the job site they are some of the hardest workers I have ever had the pleasure of working alongside. It is amazing to see their praises to God even without having anything, even being low on food and clothing. They don’t have what we have been blessed with, yet they are still devoted to God. While Haiti is lacking infrastructure and they are a country of extreme poverty, God is as real to them as He is to us. Their joy has encouraged me and I hope it can encourage you as well to be thankful for what we have been blessed with in our lives.
Baby Update: Molly is still doing great! no morning sickness still, however she is still very tired and having trouble eating the food here either taste or texture leaves her not wanting to eat but hungry. thanks for the prayers.
