My last trip brought back afresh the great need for us to partner with others to make the difference in the lives of those crying out and those silent because of fear. Though this was not my annual scheduled trip, I took the invitation to join Pastor Bill Cannon (missionary pastor to Haiti) in the country of the Dominican Republic. The two countries border each other on the island of Hispaniola. I did not know at the time that translation from French Creole to English would fall to me; no one else knew both languages sufficiently to do so with confidence.
The plight of the Haitian people in the Dominican Republic
can only be spoken of in private circles because international knowledge of it
would only worsen their experience as aliens.
Yes, many are there illegally but that is true of many people of the
Dominican Republic in Puerto Rico/US territory, as they too seek better
economic and educational opportunities.
But what must be endured there by Haitians speaks to blindness or
hardness of the heart so few only know of by sporadic news coverage of other
countries. Most think: not in the tropics, not in the Caribbean.
Among the hardships, children born to Haitian parents are
country-less and unaccounted for. Not
being allowed to declare Dominican Republic citizenship, they are not able to
claim Haitian birth. The cost for going
across to Haiti is also too expensive and the return financially impossible. For this reason public education is denied to
this group. I was able to visit a school
built by missions support that houses 63 students. They meet at two different intervals during
the day to separate them by age group. The
elder students, 6-15 year-olds (Haitians and those of missed heritage) have
never been schooled and did not know how to spell their names. One level above being a squatter building,
the land where the school is located is unused government land with no access
to water or a sewage system. One thing
is also sure: there will be no trash pick-up in the area because it is
understood to be inhabited by Haitians. Trash therefore is constantly burning.
Pollutants and dangerous chemical reactions from these fires are not a concern since
the smoke serves to be a perpetual insecticide against the ravages of dengue
and other mosquito carrying diseases. The school is teaching English as a life
skill so that employment requiring dual or tri-lingual persons would be gained
by these students and young adults.
I am in constant awe that I am among those serving in this
part of the world and at this time. You
make it possible. I soon head out for
the scheduled trip; I will be there from Feb. 6-22 and will go by ferry with
the family van packed with donated items.
I will be accompanied by Pastor Robert Dressel, a missionary pastor from
Minnesota. Upon our return, our two
families will join forces and begin an outreach/Bible study to the military
base and surrounding township here in Puerto Rico. Among the many things we will be
participating in both countries, these are notable:
In
Haiti:
1. Visit Mennonite
Camp on the Haitian border—their labors are notable and we seek to support their efforts as they have been
helpful to our missionaries as well
2.
Set-up Christian Radio Station in St. Marc through (Shawn Rineholt) Ears to
Hear
3.
Distribution of solar radios – (to illiterate), flyers for radio programming
4.
Visit Bible College/pastoral training center in St. Marc
5.
Visit orphanage in Haute, St. Marc
6.
Participate in young adults Bible studies
7. Test youth
swimming skills from Feb. 2012 classes (bringing children for a day “out” and
fellowship)
8. Negotiate Pastor
Cannon’s rent increase (I will assist in French Creole to prayerfully get best
results)
In the Dominican Republic:
1.
Visit Rineholt family and outreach/attend youth Bible study
2.
Visit compound on sale, able to house 60 Bible College students and two
families.
3.
Deliver surf boards for young adults – Christian surfing ministry
4.
Review Bible College plans and Rineholt’s visit to Baltimore for Church
convention.
5.
Visit Mennonite camp on Dominican Republic side of border.
Our excitement is tempered because we know the projects
ahead we will also face obstacles. We
expect great outcomes and a deepening of relationship with the families and
young adults. We really are about next
generation building…
Thanks again for your financial support; you are assisting
us with making a crucial difference in the lives of fellow brothers and sisters
here in Puerto Rico, the Dominican Republic and Haiti.
