 March 4, 2010: Just back from his second trip to Haiti, Les Barkley is playing an important role in our needs assessments and logistical planning. Les comments on his recent time in Haiti, “It is frankly very difficult to express the level of destruction that exists in the country, and to gain any vision as to how the country can recover. However, at the same time the wonderful people of Haiti continue on with resilience and faith. We visited a “tent camp” outside of Leogane, which is the city hit hardest by the quake. They are suffering a destruction level estimated to be greater than 75%.
“The images of pain and sorrow in Haiti from the quake abound in all forms of media,” Les continues. “I certainly have many such images ingrained within me. However, I want to convey another image of Haiti that is dear to me. The beautiful children pictured here now live in a “tent camp” with hundreds of other children outside of Leogane city in a small dirt area. It has now turned to mud as the rainy season hits Haiti. No running water. No sanitation. No electricity. No food supply. They and their families are now living in shelters made of thin, green plastic tarps provided by the UN and held up by branches, sticks and frail pieces of wood.
“These children who were so desperately poor before the earthquake have now lost virtually everything, including loved ones. Yet … look at those smiles! Please pray for their strength and faith. They need our help!”
 Les was joined by Jack Minton, President/CEO of Hope Force, who echoes the feeling that Haiti is a place of resilient, courageous people, who r efuse to give up in the face of adversity. “Driving along the roads of Haiti whether in Port-au-Prince or the countryside, hope is everywhere you look: “The School of Hope”, “Hope Orphanage”, “Hope Hospital”, and “Mission of Hope,” are just a few examples. In a nation where true hope is hard to come by the word is frequently and repeatedly promoted.
“For generations the people of Haiti have struggled and now the struggle is all the more intense. There is very little reason to hope if hope is predicated upon the past, the present or a dismal future. Life was hard enough already. No, the spark or genesis of hope comes from a glimpse of a yet-to-be created future – and at least a tiny measure of belief in new possibilities. The common outlook goes like this: As bad as it is; can it ever get better and can I envision a better life for myself?
“As followers of Jesus with great capacity, at least compared to the average Haitian, we can convey what hope looks like. It looks like a dry and clean place to sleep at night. It looks like sanitary conditions for my family and the knowledge that somewhere God has people who care. God has people who are prepared to make great personal sacrifice to improve the deplorable conditions of one poor family. Perhaps in so doing they might gain a glimpse of a better future/reality, giving hope a foothold.
“Not everyone can or should go. This isn’t about us; it’s about them. They don’t want us to do for them what they want and can do themselves; and neither would you. Dignity, honor and respect are key ingredients t o personal wholeness and a future hope. The people of Haiti are prepared to work hard to rebuild their lives; we must stand with them, encourage them, and yes – at times- work side by side in “THEIR” recovery as the opportunity to do so arises.
“Hope for Haiti will emerge in the hearts of Haitians as we offer a hand up and not a hand out. True recovery is emotional, economical, spiritual and physical. Eternal hope and recovery is only possible through the person of Jesus and He will be revealed as we give, serve, pray and work to make a difference in Jesus’ name.”
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