Friends of Haiti,
There is a Haitian proverb that says, in English, “Beyond the mountains, there are mountains.” It’s the equivalent of our, “If it isn’t thing, it’s another.” But in Haiti, the problems they now face truly are mountains, and mountains they have never had to climb before. Although there are still tremors — on the 4.0 to 4.2 scale — the biggest problem facing them now is the coming of the rainy season this month, when our hurricane season begins.
Over one million people have been left homeless. In one area alone, in Port-au-Prince, there are an estimated 700,000 people living on one “tent city.” At one point last week during a heavy downpour, water was almost knee-deep. Naturally, with that comes a breeding ground for malaria, typhoid, and all the diseases that come from living in that environment. The U.N. is trying to find a new area to relocate at least 150,000 people living in muddy camps wedged into ravines and on steep hillsides in danger of flash flooding. Anthony Banbury, the second in command of the U.N. mission in Port-au-Prince and a disaster veteran, says the challenges here “far exceed” anything he has ever seen.
Along with the new problems the earthquake brought — orphans, amputees, adults who lost families, lost homes and businesses — there is also the fear of going back into their houses even if they are not damaged. There are structural engineers from the U.S., Europe, and Canada inspecting homes, schools, and businesses. But some — with good reason – refuse to go back inside. Even doctors at the general hospital won’t go inside, and babies are being delivered in tents set up in the parking lots. Most business is handled outside. People say they just don’t want to work or sleep under cement. I am having the same problems myself.
The government is in the process of putting together a “building code,” but who knows how long it will be enforced, if at all? They are doing at least that much, which is a start in the right direction. Most of the new home construction you see now is with wood and tin roofs. No one is using cement.
There is one good thing to report, even if the events that caused it were terrible. Organizations and ministries like Haitian Island Ministries are reaching more people than ever. In at least one area, we are feeding more people than a nearby government-run feeding program. That is because of those of you who have given and continue to give. Not only are Haitians turning to programs like ours, but they are also turning to the churches in larger numbers as well.
Haiti certainly has mountains to climb before it is over this. Port-au-Prince and the surrounding areas will have to be completely rebuilt, in a different area. It can be done. There is talk about the city being moved to a location near the new American Embassy, northeast of where the city is now, away from the mountains and on a plain.
But for now, and in the foreseeable future, Haiti needs our help and it needs our constant prayers. Thank you for helping as you do. We pray that each of you who does these things realizes just how much of a difference you are making in the lives of the people out ministry touches.
Serving HIM together,
Steve and Terry
