07/09/2025
"Did You Have a Good Trip?" This is a question that Alicia and I have been asked many times since our return from Haiti, Thursday. This is a question that is difficult to answer.
It was good in the fact that we got to see the kids and staff. Alicia hadn't been to Haiti since August, because of no flights into Port-au-Prince. For us to see the kids we love so much that was good.
It was good that we got to take them all to the beach and spend the day swimming, relaxing, and having fun. I love watching kids be kids and not having the fear of bullets falling on them.
It was good for us to be able to show the staff we are standing with them and not abandoning them and hopefully encourage them and letting them see that we still have a love for Haiti.
It wasn't good because the constant memory of Davy, Natalie, and Jude and how they are supposed to be there with us. They are greatly missed by all.
It wasn't good in the fact that we aren't able to go home. The home we built and lived in for 15 years up to May 23rd, 2024. The area is still controlled by gangs and we can't return to it.
It wasn't good in the fact that in the new location even though it is very nice and peaceful, there is the constant fear of when the gangs will be there to take it over too.
It wasn't good hearing about all the destruction and killing and what people are having to live through at the hands of the gangs. The newest strategy the gangs are doing, is go into towns, kill the parents and take the small kids ages 3-12ish, the boys they turn into gang members getting them hooked on killing and the girls they turn into s*x objects for their pleasure and entertainment. There are stories of girls as young as 3 being used. It is these stories the makes my heart hurt.
Even with all that we can say, It was a good trip, and we will be making more of them in the future should the flights continue to be available.
Last week there were reports in the news that the US government said Haiti has improved enough for the Haitians whose visa have expired or about to expire could return safely. This is not true, there is no way for half a million Haitian to return safely to Haiti at the moment. Reports are that Haiti is the most dangerous country in the world, over half the population is suffering from famine level hunger as a result of the gangs controlling the roads and food supplies that need to pass through.
Just this week, gangs entered into more towns outside the city of Port-au-Prince, kidnapping, killing, and burning homes and possession of already very poor people. The amount of property, businesses, jobs, schools, hospitals, farms, and people that has been lost over the past 3 years is staggering and loss continue to increase every day.
This past week Representatives Gregory Meeks and Gregory Murphy has introduced legislation in Congress for the US to adopt a comprehensive strategy to help improve the security in Haiti. Praying this will move forward for the sake of the 12,000,000 people in Haiti that just want a chance to live.
Thank you for your continued prayers
P.S. If you purchased Hannah's CD and paid OBI directly through the link and then sent me a message with your address your CD was mailed yesterday, and you should be getting it in a few days. If you paid but didn't message me your address, please do so and I will get your CD mailed.
