Share
RSSAugust 15 , Proper 15
by the Rev. Barbara Cawthorne Crafton for ERD
8/15/2004
Jeremiah 23:23-29
Psalm 82
Hebrews 12:1-7(8-10)11-14
Luke 12:49-56
"From now on five in one household will be divided, three against two and two against three; they will be divided..." -- Luke 12:53 (NRSV)
It is hard to remember a time when the impoverished island nation of Haiti was not divided—the only unity it has known in the last fifty years was the oppressive dictatorship under which it groaned during the terrible Duvalier era. After the expulsion of Baby Doc and his family, there was a chance for a democracy with the promising leadership of Jean Bertrand Aristide, but the promise was short-lived: at the moment, President Aristide is in exile and the country reels with the aftershocks of what amounted to a civil war.
Things got really bad earlier this year. On American television, we saw the flames of burning houses in areas throughout Haiti, the phalanxes of stern-faced young men armed with machetes and machine guns, the bodies in the street, the women and children hiding in their homes, taking their lives in their hands just by looking out their own windows. Looking out the window was dangerous enough—nobody dared leave home.
The eight young children of the Bien-Ame family in the town of Gorman were close to starving during the worst of the fighting. Their parents didn't dare leave in search of foodóthey might not make it back. But food came to them, in the form of emergency food supplies from Episcopal Relief and Development. There was enough to tide them over until it was safe to go outside again. The parents said it was like a miracle.
That was one miracle, but the people of Haiti will need many more. Here is Marie, who lives in Port-au-Prince and witnessed the violence firsthand, talking about her future and that of her family: "Prices are rising fast, the little electricity we had is now gone and our children are living on the edge. The state hospitals were closed months agoóif my children get sick, where will we turn?"
Episcopal Relief and Development worked with the Diocese of Haiti to deliver medicines to local hospitals and clinics, serving in conditions that would daunt almost any healthcare worker. When it was too dangerous to go to the markets, food relief from ERD was delivered by Episcopal priests, who carried it to the people, house by house. The courage it took to do that is something you don't see every day.
Something approaching calm has returned to Haiti. Her formidable problems are far from solved, but the worst, for now, is over. But the Church stays put, in prayer and service and great danger. For better or for worse.
Episcopal Relief and Development saves lives and builds hope in communities around the world. We provide emergency assistance in times of disaster. When the immediate crisis is over, we rebuild devastated communities and offer long-term solutions in the areas of food security, health care, and HIV/AIDS.
