Peter Balentine

Djanm (Resilience)

Having visited Haiti three times over the last twenty years, I can say confidently that it is a place and people one never forgets. 

The place is truly beyond shocking: extreme poverty, environmental meltdown, health catastrophes, political chaos, and fear for safety impact everywhere you go.  It is a place where blue turquoise waters meet coast lands and rising hills, yet terrible injustices present themselves everywhere with no substantive progress ever being made.  It makes me scream.  

But the people are a different story.  How would you fare in the same conditions?  When I think of people living in Haiti, the word that comes to mind is resilience (djanm in Haitian Creole).  Despite perhaps some of the greatest challenges experienced anywhere on this planet, the spirit of so many remains one of determination, togetherness, and faith. 

Teachers work hard at their jobs as educators.  Laborers are eager to step up and sort, chop, carry -- glad to have work.  Young men play soccer wherever a ball can be kicked. Churches are full on Sundays.  People get married, children laugh and play, and families spend time together.  All despite the extreme challenges of this place.  The people make me smile.  

Please pray for justice to prevail in Haiti and for continued strength for its people.