Rebuilding Haiti - A family at a time

Teko Bailey, Contributor

Haiti suffered the devastating earthquake that hit last January and as if that was not enough, there was the cholera outbreak and a hurricane. This nation has some 80 per cent of its population living below the poverty line, while the richest one per cent own nearly 50 per cent of the nation's wealth. Two-thirds of its population of more than nine million still practise Haitian voodoo. But Haiti was the first black-led republic as a result of its successful rebellion in 1804.

"Teko, there is cholera outbreak, there is hurricane threat, are you still going to Haiti"?, asked a friend of mine. The ticket was already booked; that is how we operate in Youth With A Mission (YWAM) - We hear God and radically obey.

YWAM is a non-profit, Christian, intergenerational, multicultural organisation that aims to know God and make Him known in every sphere of society, both at home and abroad. Its three main areas of focus are: evangelism, training and mercy ministry, and it exists in more than 177 countries. In response to the issues at hand in Haiti, YWAM St Marc, Haiti, was one of the first responders to go to one of the hardest hit regions plagued with the cholera outbreak.

Within a few days, YWAM set up a water-purification system providing safe water for the villagers. Here in Jamaica, we were already on an assignment to build a concrete house for two families who were living in a tent village with 33 tents housing close to 200 earthquake victims. More than 230,000 persons were killed in last January's and close to two million were displaced. Hence, the massive exodus to communities outside of Port-au-Prince, the capital city, while some desperate victims even reached Jamaica as refugees; over 90 were sent back early this year.

Homeless

In response to this homelessness, land was given to YWAM St Marc to help these people transition from a crisis mode into sustained development. This required vast partnership with YWAM worldwide and other non-governmental organisations. Many Jamaicans have also responded with hands and feet to rebuild this nation.

I am Teko Bailey, a full-time volunteer missionary with YWAM Jamaica and on November 13, after a grand 50th celebration among the various YWAM Caribbean bases linking up in the Dominican Republic, a team of seven from YWAM Jamaica plus one from Trinidad and Tobago headed over to Haiti to help in the rebuilding process.

The drive from the Dominican Republic to Haiti was long, bumpy and dusty with numerous check points; but there was no time for murmuring or complaining - we had a mission to complete. The drive lasted for approximately 13 hours and was filled with many scenes that reminded us of old Jamaica. The roads were crowded with K-SON or TATA buses packed to the rooftops and bearing passengers hanging onto the sides as the buses leaned precariously left and right, as if they would suddenly crash.

Vans and trucks bore creative designs of the nation's art and were packed with people in desperate need of transportation to get to their final destinations. Meanwhile, mopeds (motorbikes), the main taxis, made their way along any given space carrying up to three or four passengers, or as many as they could squeeze. Yet, through so much hardship and destruction, the people remained strong and joyful with smiles on their faces or simply singing a song, some giving praises to God.

We finally arrived at our destination in St Marc and all I could think about is how much the people reminded me of tribes I had lived among in West Africa. After a one-day stop for rest and orientation, the following day we headed to the work site. We also assisted with the preparation of medical supplies in collaboration with another organisation.

The Lord was very clear to our team that, "unless He builds the house our work would be in vain", therefore, each morning we made time for devotion and shared a scripture with those who gathered to help, as well as pray for the people. We encouraged Haitians that they had a unique expression of God which the world was waiting for and that they, too, had a part to play in accomplishing God's will for all peoples. Their faces brightened as we spoke words of encouragement to them each day. We told them that they, too, were created in God's image and that His love for them had never faded as their identity was rooted in Him.

Scorching sun

Days went by; the work continued, each day more people and children came from surrounding districts to stare at us, while some tried to help in whatever way they could. The buzz in the air overflowed with French Creole as the locals joined in with work and song. "Sakapase?" (how are you?) one man would yell out to me and I responded, "Nambule" (I'm good). By noon, the scorching sun bore down on us.

It was a grand yet sad time for me. I saw so many faces in need and I couldn't help them all but, in one way or another, we supported each other, bringing joy to my soul. I shared whatever lunch I had with them; some days I felt as if I was feeding five thousand with five loaves and two fish. Our team tried to teach them various Jamaican songs even as they shared their songs with us.

I was able to mix my limited French with some Haitian Creole so as to communicate with those who did not speak English. We built one house and assisted in building the foundation of two others which will impact the lives of six families - two to each house.

There is still much to be done for the complete restoration of Haiti, so I urge all Jamaicans to partner in the rebuilding process and help Haiti become the nation that it was meant to be.

tbailey@ywamjamaica.org