"Eat Dirt" No Longer Just an Insult

In Haiti, it's becoming a way of life. You might have heard or read about the new rash of eating "mud cakes" since the food shortage has become so desperate. It's heartbreaking to watch new moms who are trying to get enough nutrients to nurse their babies. There is a prevailing thought in Haiti that the mud has nutritional value, but it's not been tested. Check out this New York Times article (and related photos and video) to get an image of what life this way is really like:

http://abcnews.go.com/Health/wireStory?id=4212012

The problem is, the world's "solution" of sending Haiti seeds to plant more food isn't enough (or at least, not the right step right now,) since 90% of the country has no topsoil left in which to plant. As a result of long-term agricultural devastation and recurring hurricanes stripping the land, Haiti first needs the infrastructure to renew the land. So where do we begin??

*Tentative* Schedule for Our Trip

So our tentative schedule has been released!  It's so exciting to see things begin to take shape and to be able to pray specifically for the places we'll visit and the people we'll meet.  It's sure to be a busy and exhausting journey -- but definitely worthwhile!   See the itinerary below: 

Friday, March 6: Travel and Introduction to Haiti/Wings of Hope

Depart RDU at 6am for Miami, then to Port-au-Prince (PAP).  Travel through Port-au-Prince to Wings of Hope in Fermanthe.  Spend the afternoon at Wings playing with the children.  Evening devotions with the group, then evening lecture.

Saturday, March 7: Wings of Hope

Morning session with Michael Geilenfeld, founder of the St. Joseph's Homes and Catholic priest; he will serve a our instructor in the Spirituality of Mother Teresa.  Spend the rest of the day doing art projects and educational activities with the children.  Lunch and afternoon with kids at the Baptist Mission. Evening devotions with the group.

Sunday, March 8: Worship/Wings of Hope

Breakfast at 5:30am.  Depart 6am for Sunday worship in Cite Soleil, led by missionary Leon Dorleans.  Tour downtown PAP and return to St. Joseph's home for dinner.  Evening with the Resurrection Dance Theater of St. Joseph's, followed by evening devotions.

Monday, March 9: I Have Carved You in the Palm of My Hand

Morning instruction with Michael, then go to Cite Soleil and Blanchard to visit ministries of Jacky and Leon Dorleans, visiting their schools, clinic, and churches.  Attend afternoon prayers at St. Joseph, followed by evening lecture by the Director of the St. Joseph's home (a former child slave who was rescued by the home.)

Tuesday, March 10: Hope for the Poor

Morning instruction with Michael, then go to Mother Teresa's facilities in three teams: Home for the Dying, Baby Hospital, Brothers' Clinic.  After lunch, join afternoon prayers at the boys' home.  Jacky and Leon to speak after dinner.

Wednesday, March 11: Be Still and Know that I am God

Morning instruction with Michael, then time to return to Father Tony's orphanage, Three Angels children's clinic, or Home for the Dying.  Afternoon prayers and time for reflection. Pack for Fondwa and Jacmel.

Thursday, March 12: A Day in Fondwa

Morning instruction with Michael, then travel by van across the mountains to the village of Fondwa.  Stay with the Sisters of Charity in the guest house, deliver medical supplies, visit the clinic, school and orphanage.  Learn about Fonkoze micro-financing initiatives, rural peasant cooperatives.  Craft and play time with the children of the orphanage followed by evening devotions and a local Haitian speaker.

Friday, March 13: A Day in Jacmel

Early morning departure to Jacmel, spend the day with the children at Lekol Sen Trinite.  Assist with school lessons, eat with the children, walk kids home.  Trinity House Dancers will perform for us.  Melshi (Trinity House director) to provide evening lecture.

Saturday, March 14: The Poor Have So Much to Give Us

Return to PAP after breakfast.  As time allows visit Caribbean Market and Sunny Homes.  Tour of St. Joseph's art ministry and collection.  Evening instruction with Michael and devotions.

Sunday, March 15: God is Everywhere and in Everything

Morning worship in St. Joseph's Chapel.  Afternoon excursion by van to Croix des Bouquets to the Metal Village.  Jacqui Labrom will host discussion of Haitian metalworking.  Pack for home.

Monday, March 16: Farewell to Haiti

Depart PAP 4:20pm; arrive Durham 11:25pm.  Pray for traveling mercies!

fewer tanks, more tractors

The Miami Herald published an interesting story yesterday on "Haiti at a Crossroads":

http://www.miamiherald.com/582/story/853954.html

If you have a chance, check it out!

Katherine 

Our prayer partners

We've been assigned our "prayer partners" for the next few months while we're preparing to travel to Haiti. I've posted their names and photos here so that you can join us!

Katherine's prayer partner is Charlie (top photo).
Bart's prayer partner is Josef (bottom photo).


More pictures of the St. Joseph's community to follow!

Peace, Katherine

Haiti's History

Haiti's history is one of the most fascinating - and often overlooked - in the world. The native Arawak Amerindians - who inhabited the island of Hispaniola (now Haiti and the Dominican Republic) when it was discovered by Columbus 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 1/3 of the island - Haiti.

The French colony, based largely on sugar plantations, actually became one of the wealthiest in the Caribbean and funneled tremendous wealth into France (think Versailles). Its wealth was built on the heavy importation of African slaves and massive 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.

But the Haitians struggle for independence didn't end there, and in the centuries that have followed, they have had to pay obscene tariffs to international powerhouses (such as France AND the United States) in order for those countries to recognize Haiti as an independent nation and to trade with them. What's more, because of "first world" economic interests, Haiti's commerce and agriculture has continued to be exploited. The country has been plagued by a long serious of political violence, including the 29-year dictatorship of the Duvalier family, under whose auspices wealth in the country was condensed into 5% of the population while hundreds of thousands of Haitians have become dangerously impoverished. Some of you may even have read the recent rash of news articles tracking the current hunger crisis: http://www.iht.com/articles/2008/04/17/news/Haiti.php.

In the past twenty years, Haiti has struggled to achieve a democratic government. In December 1990, Jean-Bertrand Aristide won an unprecedented 67% of the vote in a presidential election that international observers deemed largely free and fair. Aristide took office on February 7, 1991, but was overthrown that September in a violent coup led by army elements and supported by many of the country's economic elite. This is the time when America become so largely aware of the "Haitian boat people" who were trying to flee the country as refugees (and, incidentally, were turned away.) After another 10 years of struggling against military coups and political violence, Haiti again held a democratic election, again inaugurating Aristide as President. Today, Haiti is led by Rene Preval, a former ally to Aristide.

Feel free to visit the State Department's site for more info on Haiti: http://www.state.gov/r/pa/ei/bgn/1982.htm. But for a more complete history of Haiti, we *definitely* recommend reading Paul Farmer's The Uses of Haiti.