Words of Wisdom

It was a good opportunity to highlight some of the local programs and ministries for visiting partners and we delighted in doing so.  Several had come from the U.S. and there were even a few folk from Puerto Rico and Trinidad and Tobago who were keen to meet and dialogue with local partners and supporters during the 2014 Consultation in Haiti.

On Sunday we divided into two groups to attend worship at churches in Carrefour and Fontamara.  The Rev. Dr. Jon Barnes, Executive for Mission Interpretation and

Constituency Relationships in Indianapolis and former Global Ministries missionary with his wife, Dawn, to South Africa and Mozambique, brought the morning's message at the Carrefour church. Jon shared a good word and we told him we would gladly travel to hear him preach at any church. Interestingly enough, this particular congregation was also celebrating the National Day of Children and and the young ones treated all of us to special songs, Scripture recitations, and a well-acted skit that was both humorous and meaningful.

Monday was a meeting day and we were privileged to hear from Gerard Granado, General Secretary of the Caribbean Conference of Churches (http://www.ccc-caribe.org).  This wise and gentle man emphasized the need for all to "support Haiti in its quest for authentic development..." which he said, "...involves a developmental and not a welfare approach to Haiti."

Mr. Granado, a Roman Catholic layman, also invited those pastors and bishops who were present to remember the importance of the church in Haiti by encouraging them to "...get the churches together to discuss challenges to the people of this nation" (a profound charge given the history of tension between Protestant and Catholic churches in

Haiti). He reminded the clergy of their role as leaders by saying, "Somehow, somebody has to take the first step to initiate dialogue between churches...you do not need another earthquake to unite the people of Haiti...the unity of the Haitian people will depend on the unity of the people of God in Haiti."

There was also a time set aside for visits to local ministries and programs and the one that Tim and I took special pleasure in sharing was a trip to see eleven young adults who live and work in Croix des Bouquets.  We had previously helped these college-age young people create a micro-savings group after they had attended a CONASPEH-hosted seminar on micro-savings and micro-enterprise.  Their goal

is to start a hardware store in their community and to use the proceeds to fund their university tuition. In the meantime, as they continue to seek out ways to source income and to save, they are using one of CONASPEH's block-making machines to make compressed cement blocks and selling them to local contractors.  Their tireless energy and excitement after some 1 1/2 years is a source of joy to us and we firmly believe they will realize their dream!

We understand the importance of the "business side" of such gatherings and, indeed, the need for crucial planning for future endeavors is a primary purpose for our coming together. At the same time we felt the power of "face-to-face" times of fellowship

which helped to create better knowledge about and a genuine understanding of who we are as people called to this ministry in Haiti.  Surely these exchanges are the building blocks for the foundation that will allow us to stand alongside one another in times of challenge and in times of success.  We are truly a blessed people to have been chosen for such a task.

“For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you a future and a hope.”

                                                                                                            Jeremiah 29: 11

Chikungunya

Chikungunya, a peculiar name and a peculiar viral-borne disease caused by the bite of the Aedes mosquito which is in the same family of mosquitoes that causes dengue. Some of you may remember that Tim had dengue when we lived in Asia and that he was pretty sick for about 6 weeks.  It started with a high fever and a headache; then moved on to terrible body aching; next a rash broke out over his mid-section; he experienced extreme fatigue; and then lastly the bottoms of his feet began peeling! 

In November of last year, Tim came down with another fever and headache, rash on his mid-section and had overall body aching.  He kept saying he felt like he had dengue but within 4 days or so he felt better.  At that time we thought it was just "one of those things" but we now believe it was Chikungunya because we have talked with several others who say they, too, had similar symptoms last fall.

Haiti is now in full epidemic mode and we recently heard that some 80% of the country has taken ill since the mosquito traveled through the Dominican Republic to our part of the island and is now, reportedly, moving on to south Florida.  We have had countless friends and colleagues who have been bitten and the most common statement about the virus is that they feel "like I have been hit by a truck."  Most have been down for a week or so and symptoms are varied but have included high fever; very bad headaches; rashes on the body; SEVERE body pain that has even kept some from being able to walk; ulcers in the mouth; and swollen glands.

We have been told the best protection against the disease-carrying mosquitoes is to use repellents that have at least 25% DEET in them, to wear long sleeves and trousers (yikes! It is 90 degrees here!) and to use air-conditioners (we have no electricity at night!) Thankfully though, we have had a man come and spray both the house and the property surrounding us and have not seen mosquitoes or ants (rampant in the kitchen!) for nearly 2 weeks now.

Even as I tease about the extra clothing with the hot temps and not having electricity for an air conditioner we know we are well off compared to the many who are so vulnerable (we know of a 2-day old baby who was bitten by the mosquito).  So many of our neighbors and friends do not have screens or glass on their windows as they live in tents and makeshift shacks.  Nor do they have the money to buy citronella candles to ward off the insects and those who struggle daily to even be able to buy rice are not able to pay the US $10 per can for mosquito repellent with DEET.

The government has made public announcements about the disease to educate communities and has also made an effort to fumigate various parts of the country to reduce mosquito populations.  Many mission programs have supported these efforts by distributing informational documents by hand and publishing the same information online in both Creole and French on ways to protect oneself.  They, too, have sprayed around their communities and orphanages.  Additionally, visiting mission teams have brought cans of the repellent with DEET to share with those in need.

We invite you to pray for those who are most at risk for contracting this virus and ask that you remember the children and the elderly who do not have immune systems as strong as others.  Remember, too, the mothers and fathers who must work to be able to provide for their families as they cannot afford to be incapacitated for a week.  

In a nation of so little the gift of prayer is one of the true riches that people are able to hold on to.  Please know how much our Haitian brothers and sisters appreciate hearing of your concern and support.

“Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God.”

                                                                    Philippians 4: 6