Tents

Another common theme among the Haiti pictures are the tents. At first glance, many of the pictures seem similar and you may think you are seeing the same thing. Rona explained that after the earthquake all the parks in the city were taken over by survivors. What you are really seeing are different tent cities in different parks around the city.






People prefer these park areas since they usually offer a bit of shade from the hot sun.











This is one park that was closed off to keep people out. City officials hope to preserve the park.










This is the "family" tent. Rona's family sleeps in this tent at night since they are afraid to go back into their house until it has been inspected.

Lines in Haiti

Rona shared some of his photos from his various trips into Haiti. Here a few that give an idea of what people's daily lives are like since the earthquake.



This is the food line. To receive food, you must first stand in line to receive a coupon. Once you have the coupon you are eligible for a food ration. The system for receiving the food is not very organized. There is only ONE line, no matter how many people are in that line. (Rona said it could be up to 2,000 people in line). Everyone must wait in the hot sun until it is their turn. This can mean ALL day until your turn comes.






There are also lines for water. This water is for cleaning and washing, but not for drinking.








Stand in line to receive medical care. There are clinic tents set up in different parts of the city. Some were placed under trees and have shade. Those that don't have any shade turn into saunas when the sun beats down.











Work line. Some international organizations offer to pay $5 a day to workers who are willing to help clear rubble. Workers are also allowed to scavenge for materials that they could use for the reconstruction of their own houses.

Haiti - Three Months Later

Reconstruction - Are We All Speaking The Same Language? (from Haiti En Marche)

President Rene Preval gave a press conference in NY. Questions from the national press and international press are not the same. Foreigners are focused on preparing the refugees for the oncoming hurricane season. The President can answer easily enough that the government will appropriate lands outside the capital to relocate thousands now living in tents. But, what about the rebuilding and helping the people not receiving food, medicine and tents? In regard to the rebuilding of the capital, the government has not made any statement.

What do we mean by reconstruction - really? Who gets what? Can we rebuild all the houses in Port-au-Prince that were destroyed by the earthquake? What are the conditions for rebuilding? Who funds it?

When we start talking about rebuilding we need to get the banks open and operating. The banks need to give out credit, but how can the banks recover their own losses when their buildings were not insured? What about private homes? There is no precise answer.

While the US press talks of a Reconstruction Commission overseen by former president Clinton and Haitian Prime Minister Jean Max Bellerive, President Preval says these plans are all very premature. The only thing we know for sure is that the World Bank will handle the reconstruction funds.

* * * * * * *
What is really happening in Haiti? Rona Abraham came back from Cap Haitian this past week. He had spent two weeks in the neighboring country doing evangelism work and visiting his family. He showed us a receipt for medications (see photo) for his cousin who had been hurt in the earthquake. When he went to the pharmacy to get the medicines - he had to pay for medicines that had been donated for earthquake victims! You can see the stamp on the left side of the receipt PAYE (paid). When they questioned the workers as to why they were charging for these medicines, they just shrugged their shoulders. He says that food and tents that have been donated for victims are also being sold.

* * * * * * * *
The first group of victims was to move to the new government camps on April 15.

Aided by the UN and the US Army, Camp Corail should be ready to receive 8,000 people. The camp is 20 km (45 min) north of Port au Prince. People are hesitant to move to the new camp, only a few showers and latrines have been installed, about 20 large white tents, the school is still under construction, camp management is just getting underway. The move is planned to begin on Sunday. Everyone who stays in the new camp will receive $50 - after staying for two weeks.
(Haiti En Marche)

Easter

He is risen - Just as He said.

Easter is not a big holiday in Latin America - Good Friday seems to get all the attention. Many people remember Jesus' suffering but then do not rejoice in His victory.

For us, Easter is the highlight of our faith. Our Savior has left the tomb empty - victorious. The churches in the DR celebrated this Easter by showing our new WELS movie, "The Road to Emmaus". Pastor Alex showed the movie in Moca in the morning and Pastor Juan shared it with his congregation in the afternoon in Pueblo Nuevo.

People enjoyed the movie and we hope it will be used for further outreach and evangelism. Many new people were already present for the two showings and members have many more friends with whom they would like to share the movie. We are thankful for these kinds of resources to aid in evangelism, especially since we have found that videos are a very popular method of learning in Latin America.

Haiti Herald, March 8, 2010

Restoring agriculture is seen as crucial to help Haiti feed itself and to provide jobs. The Haitian government estimates that it needs $1 billion over the next decade to revive the agricultural sector. - Brazilian scientists are developing 50 acres to plant corn, rice and beans. - The UN Food and Agricultural Organization has started a cash-for-work program to help farmers replace 20-30,000 wheelbarrows, shovels and other equipment that were lost in the earthquake. (Haiti Globe)

School will officially open on April 5. The Ministry of Education encourages all schools that are able to re-initiate classes. New school calendars and programs will be distributed by the government to help teachers get back on track. (Haiti Press)

Now that the government has officially set a date for reopening schools they face a new dilemma - what to do with the refugees living on the school grounds? Will they force refugees to leave school premises? Where will they go? The new camps are not ready. Refugees refuse to abandon the schools - the only safe place they have to live. "If necessary we will defend ourselves. We are ready to burn tires if they come in". The refugees are already organized in the camps where they are living. Many receive weekly humanitarian aid that they would lose access to if they moved to a different area of the city. Medical services are also readily available where they now live. (Haiti Press)

Rubble from the quake will be used to rebuild the capital. Officials plans to reuse much of the debris being cleared away from collapsed buildings. About 90% of the construction debris can be recycled. The debris from the Jan. 12 quake is enough to fill the LA Superdome - 5 times. (Haiti Star)

According to it's own estimates, the government of Haiti pegged funds needed to rebuild the nation at $4 billion. Donor nations have already committed more than $5.3 billion over the next two years. The international monies will be used to build hospitals, schools and government buildings.

Update: Schools did not reopen on April 5 as planned. Most schools are still rebuilding. The majority of the larger schools were severely damaged. Of those that did not collapse, most students are too fearful to enter and refuse to do so. The adopted solution is to rebuild. New schools are being built of wood with tin roofs - leaving most of the side walls open. The new date for reopening of schools is next week -- maybe. (Haiti Press)

Good Friday 2010

On Friday afternoon, the members of the Moca congregation invited their friends and neighbors to come and watch "The Passion of the Christ" with us at the church. All the benches and chairs were set up.




People started arriving and before long almost every spot was taken. Most of the members were in attendance but there were many, many new faces. The children sat up front and the majority of them sat through the entire film. A quick count came to 150 people present.







After the film, Pastor Alex gave a brief Law and Gospel presentation pointing out the real motive for Jesus' suffering and death. He also spoke of the hope and peace we have through knowing that He was suffering for MY sins, forgiving ME.

Everyone was invited to return on Sunday for part II of the story,
"The Road to Emmaus".