Durable Hope
How do the headlines about Haiti these last few months make you feel? If you’re like me, you find them very discouraging. That is why I want to share some of the hope that I receive from our friends and partners in Haiti.
The Haitians that I work with have a more durable hope than me. I was reminded of this on a recent Zoom call with folks in Haiti. One Haitian man put it this way:
“Haitians overcame centuries of slavery. We overcame multiple invasions and decades of dictatorship. We have endured earthquakes and hurricanes. We will overcome this terrible situation, too. Maybe not next week, or month, or year, but we will overcome.”
I have endured comparatively little suffering to my colleagues and friends in Haiti. But I do not think that I am stronger for this. Instead, I am easily discouraged by the situation in Haiti (and other lesser trials in my life).
I’m reading “The Deepest Place” by Dr. Curt Thompson and grappling with the relationship between suffering and hope. In his book, Curt talks about a more durable hope, like the kind an athlete has when they have worked hard, suffered much, and endured hardship. This is a more trite example than the kind of suffering that we find unbearable—at home, in Haiti and around the world—but it serves to illustrate how we can grow stronger through trials.
Our weekly calls with Haiti H2O’s staff do not involve complaining, even when Jules was locked down in his house by gangs fighting for territory in his neighborhood. They share what is happening, but are always looking for creative ways to continue the work. Jules could tell you some gripping tales about his solutions for continuing to help start the bakery in Plain Matin!
I heard from Lenord when U.S. planes began to drop off supplies for the arrival of a UN Security Force. He was immediately hopeful that we would be able to visit soon. Now that the Kenyan troops are delayed again, he continues to send me recordings from his radio program where he prays for his country and encourages his fellow countrymen to hold onto the durable hope he finds in the Bible.
Let’s learn another lesson from our brothers and sisters in Haiti. Let’s not give up hope, despite the dire situation. My hope is that you will join Haiti H2O as we stand with four rural communities in the midst of these difficulties.
Don’t get me wrong—the things happening in Haiti are awful. We were made more aware of it recently with the kidnap and murder of 2 Americans serving in Port-au-Prince. It’s heartbreaking. Too many families in Haiti have had to endure these kinds of atrocities for more than two years.
Our partner villages are further from this chaos in the capital, but they already had many challenges connected with poverty. Now their difficulties are compounded by food scarcity and inflation on all supplies. And on top of that, they are caring for the influx of refugees from Port-au-Prince.
They are not complaining. They are seeking ways to help their fellow Haitians.
And we will stand with them and learn what it means to have a more durable hope.