More Harsh Realities of Life In Haiti

Journal Entry – January 7, 2016

We got some horrible news when we arrived in Haiti yesterday – Jean Martel (photo above, from a previous trip), the preacher in Hinche that many of you know and have spent a great deal of time with, has been killed in a motor vehicle accident – happened just before Christmas.

I have very limited information at this point, other than the fact that one of his brothers was also killed (not Jeriel from Chambellan – it was another brother that none of us have met).

I’m still reeling a bit after hearing that news…I feel like my brain was catapulted through the long list of people – that we’ve all had some level of emotional connection with – who have died here in Haiti, just in the short time we’ve been coming here:

• Doo Doo, our first bus driver in 2012 and 2013
• Abel’s son
• Merite, long time preacher in Mirebalais and Pageste (many of you have met him and/or his wife at one time or another)
• The girl in Bout Savane who died before we could get the medicine to her
• Marie Line from Pageste, 10 year old sponsored child of Trudie Caraway, who died of fever shortly after we had spent time with her on last summer’s trip
• Roberta Edwards, director of SonShine Children’s Home here in Port-au-Prince
• Abel’s motorcycle accident – while not a fatality (thankfully), still a devastating injury
• and now, Jean Martel and his brother

That’s a long list. And a bit overwhelming.

Sorry to be such a downer (and, yes, borderline morbid, I realize), but I think it’s an important – and sobering – reminder of the many harsh realities of everyday life in Haiti.

So where was I going with all this? Haven’t a clue. I probably wasn’t going anywhere; just needing to process some more.

I will tell you this, though: Especially in moments like these, I am extraordinarily grateful for the bond I have with each of you through our love for this place and these people.

Well, Tommy and Jim are asleep (these guys are killing me – if I fall asleep this early I’ll be wide awake at 3am!), so I’m going to try to wind down as well…

Much Love to All,

Greg