haiti history

Haiti is one of those countries that we've heard of (especially now), yet know so little about. We know it's impoverished, has struggled with corruption, practices voodoo (along with other religions) and has needs in every area. But until last week's quake, most couldn't tell you much more, if even this much.

Here are a few more thoughts that help paint a little more of the Haitian picture. Haiti occupies the island of Hispaniola alongside the Dominican Republic. It was the first independent nation in Latin America, the first post-colonial independent black-led nation in the world, and the only nation whose independence was gained as part of a successful slave rebellion. Columbus landed on the island in 1492, the Spanish imported African slaves in the 1500's, and pirates found Haiti strategic in the 17th and 18th centuries (Jean Lafitte was born in Port-au Prince in 1782).

Encouraged by the French Revolution, Haitian military and general population led a successful quest for independence from the French, winning victory in 1804. Their political leadership has been turbulent and often problematic for much of the time since. In its last 200 years, Haiti has suffered 32 coups of its leadership, damaging its progress as a nation. From 1957-1986, the country was ruled, by dictators- first, Francois "Papa Doc" Duvalier, then his son, Jean-Claude, aka "Baby Doc." Their regimes created a private army and terrorist death squads that terrorized the masses and allowed them to maintain their grip on the country.

Some other significant items:

• 98% of the forested land has been cut down for cooking fuel, destroying farmlands and creating a desert environment in many areas;
• Only 40% of the population (pre-quake) has access to basic health care;
• 90% of Haitian children suffer with waterborne diseases and parasites;
• TB is 10 times higher than in other Latin American countries;
• Haiti is considered among the the poorest, if not the poorest country in the Western Hemisphere;
• Most Haitians live on $2 a day, and at least 1/3 of the population is illiterate;
• 50% of the country's 9.8 million people is under the age of 20;
• Cite Soleil, a slum of Port-au-Prince, is the largest slum (200,000-500,000), and is considered the most dangerous place in the Western Hemisphere. (Thanks, Wikipedia, for all the info)

Grim? You bet. Impossible? Maybe for us, but not for God. In the midst of this agony and struggle, He's active and working. Because with much trouble comes much opportunity. God's response in all this can be seen in the lives of His people on the ground. But what about our response?

It's easy for many to look at the Haiti and other nations like it, and dismiss them, calling them to be accountable for their own situation. While valid to a point, this cannot be the only response or solution. And turning our back on, or ignoring peoples such as these will not make things better, or make them go away. I realize the answers are complex, and maybe even

unfixable (at least in our thinking), but I also know that we must care. We must demonstrate tangible, measurable love. Beyond the natural disasters. Beyond the catastrophes. Beyond that small window of opportunity when its chic and sexy to show our concern. Because when it comes down to it, it's a matter of investing ourselves somewhere, with someone, in some way that makes a difference. Maybe not to a nation, but to a person. That's where it always begins.

Where have you begun?

Dear children, let us not love with words or tongue but with actions and in truth.

1 John 3:18