Hello from Pasbwadom!
Haiti is in the news these days, and Port-au-Prince is decaying still. The rest of the country is going about life as best we can. A.J. is a man I knew as a student at the WFL school years and years ago. He moved to Port over 20 years ago. He lived up the hillside, and whenever I asked him about his neighborhood, he'd assure me that the gang activity didn't affect him near his house. He was well aware of every intersection and road that he should avoid in the city. At one point, thieves stole a vehicle of his right out from under a cousin who was driving it for him. Still, he stayed in Port. This week, he called to say he is back in Pasbwadom. He fled with his family and whatever they could fit into a vehicle. He paid big money to get past the gangs. At least he is safe now...though displaced. I learned this week that a friend of a friend is making plans to leave Port and come live in Pasbwadom as well. He now sees armed gang members walking by his front gate. His kids are scared. They hope to be able to come out to the safe countryside and somehow make a life. We have seen a helicopter or two out here in our area. Americans and other nationalities are leaving in huge numbers. Private companies are carrying people...for a price. The main airport remains closed. Hopelessness is something Haitians have dealt with forever. They don't seem phased by it at this point. Bad news comes in like a river, and people shrug it off and go on with living today. More and more people are hungry out here. I think it may get worse soon. I frankly don't want to think about escaping to "safety" and "easy life". I don't even talk about that with people here. There is no "escape" for them. There is no path. Pray for Haitians. Pray also for those who choose to be here now. There are many of us. Good Friday is the perfect day to reflect on choices like these. How much should we do to help another person? How much should we give to be alongside a person in real need? How much does love cost? For me, Calvary is clear. Christ on the Cross changes everything. He humbly gave away His life, and said : "Follow me." Every step I have taken to follow Him, has been a positive step in my life. Every step away from Him has been a regret. In a society that has "moved on" from Christ, He still invites you...to live...really live...with Him.
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August 2024
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