Haiti Trip Report

by Global Ministries | published on Oct 10, 2014

Daniel Gourdet
September – December, 2006

By the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, I am very happy today to report on my recent trip to Haiti dated September 23 – December 5, 2006. In fact it was very helpful once again to share with our brothers and sisters of CONASPEH and to help them to carry the cross of Jesus Christ.

Daniel Gourdet
September – December, 2006

At CONASPEH, for Francoise, Patrick and others, my presence was more than expected. The first two weeks of my arrival were consecrated to having the vehicle repaired in order to get it on the road in anticipation of the arrival of the guests. Secondly, it was during this time that I assisted Francoise in making preparations for the arrival of the Disciples women-to-women delegation from the USA and Canada. Their stay in Haiti was successful even though it was not easy for some of the visitors to adjust to the heat. We had the opportunity to drive them to the places where the grassroots people live as well as to places where people of power live in order to give them a larger picture of what they have heard, learned or seen about Haiti and the Haitian people.

The women, accompanied by the Executive and Program Associate for Latin America and the Caribbean, had the chance according to our plan to meet and debate with various groups face to face, giving and receiving from each other. Their visit was very significant. People at CONASPEH really appreciated the visit and the discussions resulting from various interactions.

The women of CONASPEH in their wisdom said, “one can distinguish his/her best friends when one is in difficulty or has problems.” The needs of the Haitian people do not consist of money only, but the physical presence, the accompaniment, the sharing of the burden by their brothers and sisters elsewhere. This is how they see relief from their suffering so that they are able to keep their faith and not lose their hope. They know Jesus Christ will never give them more than they can carry. They know also that they cannot command God to answer their prayers, and they continue praying without cease and without discouragement. They know God has a plan for them – maybe a better one later on. Who knows!!

After the departure of the women’s group, I went back to teaching AIDS education, mostly to those young girls and boys most vulnerable. I also taught other subjects. Politically the situation is going from bad to worse and the poor are always the victims. One can hear sporadic shootings mostly at night, one hears of women being raped, thefts, kidnapping, corruption by police and the list goes on. When some people are apprehended by police for such cases, sooner or later, one can see them in the streets again after having paid large sums of money to corrupt officials. Corruption is killing the country also. There are some hidden hands somewhere providing weapons to young people and others to commit such crimes. It is an easy way to get quick money and to destabilize the peace in the country. The weapons they are using are not made in Haiti. There are some super powers behind the scene, and this becomes an advocacy issue.

May the candle of wisdom and the candle of watchful waiting light on all oppressed people wherever they may be, mainly members of CONASPEH, so that they can benefit from all the privileges and grace given freely to them by the Highest.

I always repeat an African proverb that says: “When two elephants fight, the grass suffers”. Because the members of CONASPEH are some of the poorest of the poor, they are the ones to suffer in the midst of the chaos. They still need their brothers and sisters here in the USA and Canada to walk with them. Despite the financial constraints and daily troubles that Haitians are facing, one can always see a big smile on their faces. People continue to go about their daily activities. They go to church and to school. The spirit is still alive and they know that there is still hope.

My sincere thanks and appreciation to Global Ministries and to the Latin America and Caribbean Office for the support, encouragement and opportunities given to me as their representative and critical presence to CONASPEH