Day 6: Reflections

That Monday after our CODEP hike, we'd stay at the guest house the rest of the day, to catch up on some rest.  I went out back to the beach with a few of the guys to swim and snorkel.  This was my first time snorkeling around coral.  I was blown away at the beauty down there.  It was a new world, a beauty that stands in contrast to the struggles of the country.  

Our group had a conversation that night about what we witnessed with CODEP, and the general NGO presence in Haiti.  From what we've encountered, these groups see it as their role to take care of the social ills of the country.  With the disarray of the government and disillusionment of the people, this is very understandable.  However, the struggles with this structure are many.  For one, there is no central organization, which leads to competition among these groups, attempting to deal with the issues their own way.  There is also the issue of establishing sustainability so that there is no constant dependency.  Some groups were tackling this better than others.  Regardless, the country is a long way from getting to this point.  The years of foreign influence have made this difficult as well.  So where does that leave us?  What can we do?

Theologically, this is the question of a public theology.  Is the role of the church to address the social ills of a country?  If so, is this done on its own power, or is there a role in speaking truth to those with the power to enact such change?  I'm of the firm belief that we are called to the latter.  Christ was a vocal advocate for those in need in the face of power.  The old testament tradition stands to this as well.  

However, its hard to conceptualize how to enact this in a country in such disarray as Haiti.  There is much to be done, and at the end of the day, being present with the people of the country and in relationship is often all that can be done.  This is the ministry all the groups we have witnessed stand to.  There is an immediacy to this ministry that is very important.  They stand up for immediate action instead of talk.  Something we could learn more from back home!  

Our ability to hope and speak up for these people is our calling as pastors and people of faith.  May we always strive to do so.