Haitian Resiliency
HAITIAN RESILIENCY
Haitian response to disaster has been mixed. On the one hand, there has been looting and violence. As for the former, it might be justified where necessary for survival. However, it is obvious that it has exceeded this rationale. Violence can be expected where there is a disregard for the property rights of others.
More striking is the resurgence of faith among the Haitians. "It doesn’t mean anything if Satan hates me, because God loves me," women sing in the midst of devastation. "God has already paid my debt." The more some things change, the more others remain constant.
One of the more notable features of this spiritual renewal is the bonding of Christians from different denominations. I am reminded in this regard of when we lived in Israel, as adherents of a minority faith. As a result, we were more inclined to focus on what we held in common than in the ways we differed. I still retain my membership in the Jerusalem Ecumenical Fraternity, which embraces Eastern Orthodox, Roman Catholic, and Protestant representatives.
I also came across a reference to improved relationships between Christians and those of other persuasions, voodoo being singled out in the report. My educated guess would be that this is not of the same order as the above. "We love Jesus," one of the afflicted explains. This incites them to love others.
The faith community takes issue with the charge that this disaster results from divine wrath over an alleged pack with the devil or sinfulness in general. "I get mad when Haiti is somehow being punished," one individual protests. "It is unacceptable and wrong." Accordingly, Jesus inquired: "Or those eighteen who died when the tower in Siloam fell on them—do you think they were more guilty than all the others living in Jerusalem? I tell you, no! But unless you repent, you too will all perish" (Luke13:4-5).
"God meant us to do good," one cleric remarks. He feels this confirmed by persons digging for survivors, ministering to those injured, and carting off debris. "What good is it, my brothers, if a man claims to have faith but has no deeds?" James rhetorically inquires. "Show me your faith without deeds, and I will show you my faith by what I do" (James 2:14, 17).
Although shaken by the experience, one woman declares: "Even if I die, I die with Jesus." Given the uncertainty of life, she holds firm in her faith. In greater detail, Paul concludes: "For to me, to live is Christ and to die is gain. I am torn between the two: I desire to depart and be with Christ, which is better by far, but it is more necessary for you to remain in the body" (Phil. 1:21, 23-23). While separated by the centuries that intervene, they experience the same resilience of faith.
Article submitted Wednesday, January 27, 2010 & read 124 times.
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» left by Marijo Phelps from mountain meadow (2 years 12 days ago.)
Mu roommate, from Youth With a Mission back in the 80s and her husband have been directors of YWAM in Haiti for over 20 years now - they are there still and send reports at least once a week of the miracles the Lord is doing as they find babies (live) in the rubble and reach out with food and etc. Thanks for writing this article! MarijoRespond to this comment
