Any Progress?

One of the questions I always get asked by visitors to Haiti and people back in the States is “What progress is being made in Haiti?”  “Has anything changed since the earthquake?”  They are both very good questions but the answer is not what any of us would want.  The answer is also complex because it depends on what you mean by progress and where you look.

Some of the rubble is being removed.  Local news organizations say only about 2% of the rubble has so far been removed.  As you drive around the city most people are using shovels and wheelbarrows to move rock out into the street.  There is some heavy equipment working but mainly at places where people have money to pay.  There does not seem to be a concerted effort.

The tent cities are growing.  Even over the last 2-3 months there has been a growth in the tent cities.  They know take of vast tracts of land north of the city, strewn along the hillside surrounding Port-au-Prince.  They seem to be a more permanent fixture with showers, bathrooms, admin buildings and even small police trailers located nearby.

Life for these folks is hard.  It was visibly demonstrated to us yesterday as we were waiting in a restaurant near the airport.  In a matter of minutes dark clouds blew in over the city and a torrential downpour began.  This is the most rain I have ever seen come down in a short time in the city.  People scrambled to get inside, vehicles vacated the road and those caught outside just got wet.  The wind blew.  When we passed the tent city near the airport you could tell there was damage.  Tarps had been blown around, some tents had collapsed and people were standing around in the mud and water.  A later report indicated that 5 people had died in the sudden rainstorm.  And that is one small storm on just one day.

Where do we go from here?  We keep preaching the gospel and helping people grow in the grace and knowledge of their Savior.  What people here need is hope for the future.  And that hope will on come through a better house, education for their children or a more financially secure future.  It can only come when we realize there is hope for both this life and the next.  Then we work for today knowing that God takes care of the future.  And that our labor is not in vain in the Lord.

Noting some positive progress, we are thankful to be able to recommence services at the Port-au-Prince church plant once again.  We are awaiting word on the exact location for the church tomorrow, but we do know we have people waiting to come and worship.  Thanks for continuing to pray for this fledgling work as Pastor Octavius Delfils and myself are used to help this church grow.