The perspective conveyed in The Star ("Frustrations grow in Haiti,"
Feb. 3) belies a larger picture of what is occurring in Port-au-Prince.
In spite of frustrations with relief distributed by international aid
organizations and a decapitated government, I witnessed gracious and
hopeful acts among Haitians.
I
just returned from a week in Port-au-Prince where I served with a
relief and response team of the Free Methodist Church. We delivered
water filters, established a well-drilling team and assessed damages at
16 schools supported by International Child Care Ministries. We also
moved forward the excavation of a collapsed building where Indianapolis missionary Rev. Jeanne Acheson-Munos was killed in the Jan. 12 quake.
I
have seen people swinging sledgehammers at mountains of concrete, steel
and rebar. I have seen residents sweeping away the debris. I have seen
neighbors share the little food they have with one another. I have seen
outdoor markets bustling with exchange of goods. I have witnessed
Haitians, still shocked and fear-filled, walk into buildings, sit down
at desks and work.
On
Sunday, I watched hundreds of Haitians walking through rubble to gather
for public worship -- an expression of unshakable faith in a completely
shakable world. The earthquake may well have revealed and resurrected
the resilient and hopeful soul of Haiti's people.
John Hay Jr.
Indianapolis
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