I’ve been putting off writing this blog for a while because
I know it has the potential to make some of you *cough cough, Mom, Dad, Grandma, Grandpa, Jacob, and
Steph cough cough* freak out. But I wanted to give everyone a real update on what’s been
going on down here in Haiti.
It all started in December, I guess. Something happened and
the Prime Minister of Haiti decided to resign, which caused some conflict. Then
something happened with Congress. (I know, I’m being very descriptive here.
Truth is, I have no idea what happened with the Prime Minister or Congress. I
don’t even keep up with American politics, let alone Haitian politics!) But
something happened and the Haitian people were supposed to vote to elect a new
set of people to be in Congress. This never happened, and Congress was
basically disassembled. As you can imagine, the Haitian people are extremely
upset about this. From what I understand, if President Martelly didn’t do
something about the situation by January 15th, he became the only person
with power in Haiti. Apparently, he said he didn’t want this, but January 15th
came and went and nothing was fixed. The Haitans are nooooooottttt happy about
this but there doesn’t seem to be a whole lot that can be done to fix this
messy situation.
Fast forward to February. The Haitians are still upset about
the whole president turned dictator thing. Add to that rising gas prices and a
very poor economy. Things are heating up. Gas here in Port-au-Prince is about
200 GDES per gallon, which is roughly $4.60 US. From what I’ve been told, gas
prices in America are dropping, in some places below $2.00 per gallon, but
mostly hovering between $2.20 and $2.50 a gallon. Imagine how mad we get when
gas prices skyrocket and most of us make a whole heck of a lot more than the
average Haitian! Last week, some Haitians decided to protest the rising gas
prices by having a transportation strike. Most Haitians rely on public
transportation to get around: tap-tap’s and motos (motorcycles). The tap-tap
drivers charge each person 5 GDES (10 cents US) to ride in their vehicle. Motos
charge a bit more because it’s private transportation and it takes you all the
way to your destination. Tap-tap’s only run up and down a specific street. When
it gets to the end of the street, you get off and transfer to a different
tap-tap running a different route. It can roughly be compared to a subway… very
roughly compared. Anyways! Sorry about that tangent- back to the drama! So, the
Haitians driving tap-taps get paid very, very little and they have to pay an
enormous amount of money to put into their tap-taps. They, and the moto
drivers, decided to strike. Unfortunately, this meant that the whole city was
shut down. Not only did they strike, but they wanted to prove a point, so they
constructed barricades out of burning tires and threw glass bottles and rocks
at any car or moto who broke the transportation strike, even if it was Haitian
driving their own personal vehicle. We had about 7 teachers who were able to
walk to school and about 200 students. We did the best we could, combined
classes, and sent the children home early. Classes were cancelled Tuesday. This
turned out to be unnecessary, because the transportation strike ended and we
could travel safely.
This Monday was a bit more intense. We were alerted by the
U.S. Embassy via e-mail that there were reports of another, more violent transportation
strike. We considered closing the school but there was no good way to get the
word out. I tell you what- I will never get annoyed with the automated messages
that schools send out to let families know about school closings! That is so
convenient!!! We opened the school doors on Monday, but only one Haitian teacher
was able to make it, along with sixty students. We put them all in one room and
showed them Aladdin (Disney for the win!!!) After it we realized that none of
the cooks showed up, we gave the students some nutrition bars from the visiting
team and send them home. About 10 minutes after we sent the children home, I
heard six gunshots. Even though I’ve gotten used to hearing gunshots here, ice
flooded my veins as I thought of our children on the streets. Until about a
month ago, the gunshots I heard were very sporadic and usually someone firing a
shot or two into the air for fun. Last month, a man was shot and killed about
two blocks from where I live. Some men followed him home from the bank and
killed him for his money (but it turns out he had none as the bank was unable
to cash his check.) I was freaking out
about our children being on the roads with all the violence, and Travis agreed-
we needed to cancel school Tuesday. That night, I heard about six more gunshots
in the span of 15 minutes. I read on Facebook the next day that the gunshots I
heard in the afternoon were police shooting in the air after protesters started
throwing rocks at them. Praise God, none of our students were hurt.
I say all this not to scare you, but to let you know how
things are here and to ask for prayer. Things have changed here. Everyone seems
more guarded. The atmosphere feels more tense and has an electric charge to it-
like the Haitians are just waiting for something to ignite it. During these
protests, we are encouraged to stay inside the gates and I have zero problem
complying! We did go out last night to get some groceries because we heard
there could be more protests this weekend. While we sat in traffic, we all got
a little antsy because of the amount of people walking the streets, but no one
approached our truck. I want to make it clear to you guys that I feel safe
here. When I am inside the walls of the school or the children’s home, I am
safe. I receive updates from the U.S. Embassy anytime that they hear reports of
strikes, protests, or riots. I also want
to let you know that if I receive any information that makes me feel threatened
or that I’m in danger, I have no hesitation to go home. However, it has not
reached that point yet. Most of the violence here is towards other Haitians,
not Americans, but it never hurts to be careful. Please pray for Haiti. Pray for peace to
settle in the hearts of the Haitian people. Pray that they find Jesus. Pray for
the safety of our teachers and students, some of which travel an hour or two to
get to school. Pray for wisdom for the leaders of Haiti. Pray for my family
because I know this post will scare them. When they were visiting in December,
our charter bus had to stop mid-trip due to protests and I remember how anxious
we all were, and we were together. I know they will be worrying for my safety
as I’m here and they’re there. Pray that I remember that God is sovereign and
His plan is always best, even though sometimes it’s scary.
Psalm 91:7, 10-11 A thousand may fall at your side, and ten thousand at your
right hand; but it shall not come near you… no evil shall be allowed to befall
you, no plague come near your tent. For he will command his angels concerning
you to guard you in all your ways.
Nahum 1:7 The LORD is good, a stronghold in the day of trouble; and He
knows those who trust in Him.
2 Corinthians 4:8-9 We are hard-pressed on every side, yet not crushed; we are
perplexed, but not in despair; persecuted, but not forsaken; struck down, but
not destroyed.
