Pray for your Haitian brothers and sisters

“La vie ne vaut rien, rien ne vaut la vie”    (“Life is worth nothing, nothing is worth life”)

The main idea of the December journal is asking you to pray for your Haitian brothers and sisters. Let them know that only God is in control and can deliver them. 

For those who don’t know, we live in a community located in the north of the Republic of Haiti called “Pignon”. This town is bordered to the north by the town of Saint-Raphaël, to the south by the Center department, to the east by the town of Lavictoire and to the west by St-Michel de L’attalaye. It is of a hot climate, has two (02) communal sections, sections of roads leading to other communes are in beaten earth but this one is concreted and electrified by the EDH in the opportune moments. Still, it has two (02) gas pump, one (01) hospital (Bienfaisance / HBP), health centers, private and public schools, public market, public square, police station (PNH), distilleries and so many other creations contributing to the well-being of its society.

Haitian politics remains as it was. No one tries to identify, collect, analyze the causes of insecurity throughout the territory, especially in the metropolitan area where kidnapping is raging. Armed men keep bringing families to tears every day. “Reziyasyon ki fè lòm” people often said. Many people seek to leave the country despite their possession, competence, family life, those who in the next 5-10 years will be reliable and sincere entrepreneurs for this homeland. Some say: Only elections help us overcome these problems. Who will, who can?

From the ecclesiastical point of view, the congregations function as usual. Churches which had two (02) services in the days on Sunday, stopped this planning because it was the COVID19 which prevented them from gathering in large numbers. Even when the scarcity of fuels plays a major role in its operation.

From an education perspective, schools tried several times to open their doors from September 2022 until the end of November 2022, but some of them operate from the beginning of December to reduce the rate of crime in the community. Despite everything, others are waiting until January 2023 more than there is a lot of doubt in Haitian security. We didn’t want anyone to be lost to this devastating scourge.

The scarcity of fuels reduces the level of service to be given. A few weeks ago, we were looking to find a solution to this crisis, but it seems that it was demagoguery. Because the government was increasing prices, the scarcity remains, the informal market works much better (fixing its prices and looking for where it can find the fuels). No institution is preserved. The exchange rate $ USD vs HTG is around 140 gourdes in banks but 150 to 155 gourdes on the informal market. For building materials, we need 225.00 gourdes for a bag of cement, 700 gourdes for an ordinary sheet of metal, 100,000.00 gourdes for a ton of iron. No one is spared. Who will build what we need? When will things be built?

Some in our community remember a time when a traveler could safely take refuge for a night under a tree. But nowadays, we cannot build, insecurity is raging, if even in our houses, we could be in danger, so how could someone sleep under a tree? We are miraculously alive, and we give glory to God for his benefits to us.

We want to draw your attention to this month which concerns us as believers in Jesus Christ, the Savior of mankind. However, it is Christmas. The days 24, 25, 26 December are devoted to Christmas. Everyone knows well how they should dress, feed, share. It does not feel as though us Haitians are able to relive the avenue of the Messiah this year in the biblical sentences. However, my family and I have been distributing food kits containing rice, oil, maggi (a dry seasoning blend made from salt, spices, and other ingredients), soap, sugar for years past, especially to allow widows to remember Christmas. This activity took shape thanks to the support of Loving Haiti to my company COPY DARES (Printing Home) in the town of Pignon. We dedicate part of the tithe and some offerings to carry out the activity.

No signs and symptoms of COVID19 or cholera had been seen in our communities. Our Christmas food kits will be distributed no later than the 23rd of this month. I do not mention the price of food products since it was already done in the November 2022 newspaper.

There are a lot of socio-cultural activities throughout this month, but we do not see anything for this year because no arrangement was made on the side of young people or even adults. They used to put on shows in the streets.

Again, please pray for your Haitian brothers and sisters. Let them know that only God is in control and can deliver them. May the New Year bring them happiness, the answer to their prayers in the face of social difficulties, the creation of jobs for young people and the immeasurable love between them.

I am a young married Haitian who believes in the progress of everyone and a better future. As of December 10, 2022. Information compiled from different sources from people in the Pignonaise community. Written under the pen of Darling SERIPHIN, Manager, Computer Scientist and Graphic Designer.

Thank you for your time.