September 23, Haiti

Workers now digging an irrigation/fish cistern

This was going to be the apple update but it seems like we should do an update on Haiti first.

Distance really insulates us from the problems in the rest of the country so things look normal around here. The weather has been good, sunny for this time of year, people in the nearby village have good fields of corn drying, soon to be harvested, and they have been roasting or boiling corn on the cob daily for weeks. We have also been enjoying lots of boiled corn on the cob and fresh avocados.

The villagers can go down to cities in the Artibonite valley to get supplies, avoiding the road blocks and robbers of Port au Prince and surrounding cities.

There is plenty of bad news. Haiti is really hurting from several weeks now of fuel shortages, lack of public transport, schools and businesses closed, protesters blocking roads, robberies.

Cap Haitian is also seeing many protests. We were told years ago that if Cap turns against a government, along with Port au Prince, the government is in trouble. There have even been protests on LaGonave and last week the schools in Port Margot were closed due to the road being blocked between Port Margot and the mission at Fauche.

It gets discouraging to have plans cancelled or delayed, to hear of the suffering of those needing medical help but unable to travel to a hospital, of most of the population slipping deeper into poverty.

Its hard not to keep wondering what is coming next and how to shuffel priorities. Much needs to change in Haiti. Prayers are needed. Haiti can’t keep taking one step forward and two steps back much longer, especially considering that over half the food is imported and the transport issues.