Election season nearly over

The preliminary results of the second round of elections here in Haiti were published on Monday.  The new president-elect is Michel Martelly.  I don’t think it was a big surprise to anyone that he won the second round by a 2-1 margin despite the fact that voter turnout was once again pretty low.  The final results are due to be published April 16 but there should be no significant changes

Thanks for praying for us through this season.  People were very concerned that things might get out of control when the announcement was made Monday.  The word on the street was Martelly had won.  And they were saying if the Electoral Council did not confirm this there would be rioting.  Rumor was that all the machetes in stores from Cayes to Cap Haitien had been bought and stored away in preparation for the manifestasyon.

So now everyone can at look beyond the election to what the future might hold.  No one is quite sure what kind of president Martelly will be and whether he knows what he is doing.  Sadly it is not likely that a whole lot will change for the regular Haitian.  We will continue our work of preaching, teaching and building relationships here in Haiti.  A couple more teams to come and then off on furlough.  Busy, busy …