Tension is Mounting

Driving home from the airport last night in Port-au-Prince, I saw more police officers than I thought existed in Haiti. I saw all types of troops, even some in heavy black armor. They are all over the streets, anticipating something big.  Senatorial elections are this Sunday… and it’s not looking good.

A little over a month ago all 16 of the senatorial candidates from the Lavalas party were eliminated from the race.  The reasons for their exclusion are a bit confusing, and some claim that the reasons are sketchy and invalid.  I don’t know enough to choose a party, but even as a non-supporter I would say that was a horrible move to exclude Lavalas from the race.  It was a horrible move even if there was reason for them to be excluded.  First, they are the most popular party.  Second, some say they are the most forceful and most prone to violence.  Five years later, they are still vying for the return of their exiled leader, former President Jean-Bertrand Aristide, and there were times during these years that our government was fearful of them.  To go further and “exile” all of their Senatorial candidates is a political slap in the face.  Some suspect that someone actually wants to prod Lavalas and incite them to violence.  Some even suspect that someone wants to anger the Lavalas party and then do violence themselves while hiding behind their name.  Some even think that these are empty threats intended to rile up every criminal in the country and give them an excuse to take the streets.  Why?  No one could really tell you…  There are lots of dirty hands at play…

In Haiti, all of these things are possible.  There are many things going on behind the curtains, but all that we, the people, know is that someone has been anonymously distributing propaganda saying to anyone who goes out on Sunday, whether or not they are voting, their blood is on their own hands.  They have been threatening people with decapitation saying to write their names and phone numbers on their feet if they feel bold enough to go out, so that their families can identify them.  There have been many more threats and I sincerely believe that without divine intervention Sunday will be a very bloody day.  Please pray for Haiti.  It is more urgent than ever.

Please forward this blog to everyone who knows how to pray…  As for me, if something happens and I lose communication, do know that I have more than one safe place to go.  Furthermore… I’m supposed to be here… so I can’t die…. like my dad after all he’s been through in 39 years of ministry.  So don’t be anxious for me, just pray.

They’ve Done it Again

In case it didn’t make it into your Newspaper (it didn’t make it, I already checked NY Times Headlines):

Today, 110 (one hundred ten) U.N. Soldiers were sent home on counts of sexual misconduct with minors. It’s about time they fight some sort of corruption (from within). The first sad fact is that they caught 110. That’s a big enough number to say “Get the Hell out!” The worst sad fact is that this is only the number of soldiers that were caught and tried. There’s always those 487 that manage to get away… especially in a country with a broken down law-enforcement system. Might I mention, once again, a good friend of mine who was molested at gunpoint in a busy street? That soldier stayed around for awhile. Heck, the whole post was guilty that night but they were all back the next night.

Human Rights have asked for these men to be tried as criminals in their home countries. Well duh… what else are they? Heros? This is the worst crime possible. You are sent to a country to help stop corruption, but instead you take advantage of corrupt systems, encourage prostitution, take advantage of children, and rape women. Criminal is an understatement.  Unfortunately, many countries don’t take these crimes as seriously as the whole of the international community could have.  My opinion?  They got off too easy.  If you come as a servant of the international community, you should be judged and convicted according to international standards.  What do you think?