Conditions in Haiti

So what is the situation in Haiti, now?

It depends on who you ask!

An article entitled "Haiti's violent image is an outdated myth, insist UN peacekeepers", reports statistics that show Haiti safer than other countries in many ways.

View it here.

The same article opens with this paragraph:

It was recently named among the world's 10 most dangerous destinations, alongside Iraq and Somalia, by Forbes magazine, and the US government keeps a permanent warning against travelling there. Diplomats, journalists and aid workers who do land on Haitian soil spend much of their time holed up in fortified hotels.

In May, things seemed to have settled to the calm we were experiencing before the rioting began last month. It seems that people have adopted a wait-and-see holding pattern that they are living in. Prices remain unbearably high. Gasoline alone is almost $7 per gallon. A new Prime Minister has been named, but has not yet been sworn in. People continue to struggle on a daily basis to scrape up enough food to feed their families. Some ministries have run out of food and are struggling to find funds to continue at their current level.

What is one to believe?

We believe that God has called us to serve Him on the field in Haiti and will provide and protect us as we answer that call in faith.

Psalm 91
The Message (MSG)
Copyright © 1993, 1994, 1995, 1996, 2000, 2001, 2002 by Eugene H. Peterson
Psalm 91 1-13 You who sit down in the High God's presence, spend the night in Shaddai's shadow,

Say this: "God, you're my refuge. I trust in you and I'm safe!"

That's right—he rescues you from hidden traps, shields you from deadly hazards. His huge outstretched arms protect you— under them you're perfectly safe; his arms fend off all harm. Fear nothing—not wild wolves in the night, not flying arrows in the day, Not disease that prowls through the darkness, not disaster that erupts at high noon. Even though others succumb all around, drop like flies right and left, no harm will even graze you. You'll stand untouched, watch it all from a distance, watch the wicked turn into corpses. Yes, because God's your refuge, the High God your very own home, Evil can't get close to you, harm can't get through the door. He ordered his angels to guard you wherever you go. If you stumble, they'll catch you; their job is to keep you from falling. You'll walk unharmed among lions and snakes, and kick young lions and serpents from the path.

14-16 "If you'll hold on to me for dear life," says God, "I'll get you out of any trouble. I'll give you the best of care if you'll only get to know and trust me. Call me and I'll answer, be at your side in bad times; I'll rescue you, then throw you a party. I'll give you a long life, give you a long drink of salvation!"

Would I be safe if I went to Haiti on a mission team?

We can't answer that for you. While it is quite safe out here in the countryside where we live, and we have a very secure set-up inside the walls of a compound, travelling to and from town and the airport are times of vulnerability.

But we know God protects those He calls and holds them in the palm of His mighty hand. So, each person must prayerfully discern for himself the level of his calling.

Psalm 32:8 (NIV) I will instruct you and teach you in the way you should go; I will counsel you and watch over you.

Isaiah 30:21(NIV) Whether you turn to the right or to the left, your ears will hear a voice behind you, saying, "This is the way; walk in it."

Then, along with your family, determine if this is the time the Lord would have you answer His call to serve on mission with Him in Haiti.