Newsline: A reflection on the Haiti earthquake: Two years of recovery

[CoBNews <CoBNews@brethren.org>]

Newsline: Church of the Brethren News Service, News Director Cheryl 
Brumbaugh-Cayford, 800-323-8039 ext. 260, cobnews@brethren.org

A reflection on the Haiti earthquake: Two years of recovery

(Jan. 12, 2012) Elgin, IL -- Roy Winter is associate executive director of 
Global Mission and Service for the Church of the Brethren and director of 
Brethren Disaster Ministries. He provided the following personal reflection to 
mark the second anniversary of the earthquake:

"When I learned of the terrible earthquake in Haiti my mind started racing, 
while my voice trembled and emotions peaked. I searched the Internet, e-mails, 
and news for more information. My heart wept as I thought of the fledgling 
Church of the Brethren in Haiti, some members whom I had the pleasure to work 
with. Did the church leaders survive? Would the church survive?

"Yet, in the midst of this chaos that quiet voice repeated: "Respond boldly, be 
creative in the response, but do no harm." Don't let the response, all the 
finances and all this activity, harm the Haitian people or this fledgling 
church.

"The Haitian Church of the Brethren not only survives, it has continued to grow 
and share an uncommon faith found in a land filled with hardship and poverty. 
The church leadership has grown from victims of the earthquake to leaders in 
the response, while still leading the church. So often I am surprised, even 
astounded, and completely inspired by the Haitian Brethren. They come to God 
with thanks, with hope, with a deep faith, even as they live in the deepest 
poverty and unemployment found in the Americas. They want to thank me for the 
support from the US church, but I thank them for their faith, which has touched 
me in ways I can't describe. It gives me a whole different perspective on life.

"Another surprise has been how smoothly the early disaster relief and now 
recovery programs have gone. When working in Haiti we expect to encounter major 
obstacles with supplies, logistics, leadership, the government, local town 
officials, and even the real possibility of violence or theft. Under Klebert 
Exceus' and Jeff Boshart's leadership so many obstacles have been avoided or 
navigated without major delays, and I am astounded. 

"When other agencies are seeking expensive housing for expatriate staff, we are 
hiring and mentoring unemployed Haitians. When a shortage of US dollars means 
other relief agencies can't pay staff, we continue to pay staff in Haitian 
dollars. When Klebert was under threat of kidnapping or violence, the local 
Brethren helped him leave by a different route. He knew to send others to 
supervise the home construction or travel in unexpected ways. 

"Our work in Haiti is sometime dangerous, always challenging, and in an 
extremely difficult setting, but each step of the way guidance has been 
provided. So once again I am amazed at how God is working through people to 
make all this possible!

"So often North Americans rather arrogantly believe they have the right answers 
for people of developing countries like Haiti, especially on issues of faith. 
While certainly education, medical care, food security, and jobs with dignity 
should be shared with all people, we are the ones with much to learn. Even more 
we need to experience the extraordinary faith of the Haitian Brethren.

"I have much gratitude for the Haitian people and especially the Haitian 
Brethren in how they have embraced us North Americans. I have been impressed 
with the humility and faith of US Brethren workcampers as they work beside and 
under the leadership of Haitian "bosses." I am profoundly grateful for all the 
material, prayer, and financial support of the US church; this is the 
foundation for our response. We should all celebrate the inspired leadership of 
Klebert Exceus (response director in Haiti) and Jeff Boshart (response 
coordinator based in the US). It is their leadership, guided by faith, respect, 
and wisdom, which sets us apart from other response organizations, and really 
made this response possible.

"We can all celebrate and thank God for what has been accomplished in these 
last two years, both things of the world and of faith. However, the greatest 
tragedy in Haiti continues: extreme poverty. I wonder if we, the US church, 
will walk away as response funds dwindle and the headlines are long forgotten? 
Or will we feel compelled--or even better called--to continue this journey of 
faith and hope with the Haitian people?"

The Church of the Brethren is a Christian denomination committed to continuing 
the work of Jesus peacefully and simply, and to living out its faith in 
community. The denomination is based in the Anabaptist and Pietist faith 
traditions and is one of the three Historic Peace Churches. It celebrated its 
300th anniversary in 2008. It counts some 123,000 members across the United 
States and Puerto Rico, and has missions and sister churches in Nigeria, 
Brazil, the Dominican Republic, Haiti, and India.

># # #

>For more information contact:

>Cheryl Brumbaugh-Cayford
>Director of News Services
>Church of the Brethren
>1451 Dundee Ave., Elgin, IL 60120
>800-323-8039 ext. 260
>cobnews@brethren.org