On the Haitian Border
Posted by Brian on Apr 06 2011
As Americans we are used to the idea of freedom of movement. What I mean is that we are used to the idea of going wherever we want to go, whenever we want to do it. It’s not that way in the majority of the world.
Last Monday we traveled to Dajabon to do training with the Haitian church leaders with whom we work. We’ve done this many times before. They cross the border, and we meet in a hotel room in Dajabon. There is a picture in the last post of one such training. This time, however, things didn’t work out.
Bridge across Masacre River from Dajabon, DR to Ouanamenthe, Haiti
There have been several times that the border has been closed because of political tension or unrest. This time the border wasn’t closed, and the men had their paperwork in order, but the Director who has to sign their paperwork had decided to leave town. When he was called, he said to talk to a Major of the crossing guards. It ends up he’d left town too. We talked to the border guards, but they were being very strict. It’s been much tougher for the Haitians to cross since the Cholera outbreak. The result is that we weren’t able to do the training this time.
I write this post for two reasons. First, I wanted to illustrate the difficulty that these trainings are to do. We really believe in the importance of giving these church leaders the resources they need in order to effectively minister in the important places where they serve. This trip has helped us to think strategically about how we are going to try to make these trainings happen in the future. These trainings are crucial, and they need to happen no matter how difficult they are to do.
Border Crossing in Dajabon, DR
Secondly, I want us to think about what daily life is like for the Haitian church leaders. Their experience is not freedom of movement. Even when they should be allowed to cross, it doesn’t mean they will. Even if it’s just because the correct official decided to leave town that day. We should never take our freedom of movement for granted, and in fact, we need to realize it is a blessing from God, to be used for him! It gives us the responsibility to use our ability to go to other places for the sake of the Kingdom of God!
***Update–Thursday, April 7th***
Just found out this morning that the Haitian church leaders will not be allowed to attend the Men’s Conference this weekend either. Their entry was denied.
April 7th, 2011 at 3:21 pm
How frustrating this must be for them and for those of you who were to do the training. Satan certainly does put roadblocks in our way – just not always so literally as in this case.
I will continue to pray God’s blessings on you and your team as you face challenges in Haiti and the DR.