Ezili Danto, li led li la

Good observations Bryan.

Also, within all the other religious trash, this resonated and should guide those Kolon blan animated to save us Haitians for their "Heaven":

"...It is rude, presumptuous and arrogant for any group to come in to 'help' disadvantaged people for the sake of gaining a platform from which to pontificate (and then leave), feeling satisfied once back home that they have educated the poor, misguided natives...." I humbly thank the writer of this and second this notion.

Haiti is Vodun, it cannot be Haiti without Vodun. Just as it cannot be Haiti, without Kreyol.

Our African ancestors live through us and through Vodun, through the Kreyol tongue with which we express our reality and by the portals at Bwa Kayiman. http://www.margueritelaurent.com/ezilidanto_bio.html

Lè marasa, lè mò, e lè mistè - One circle, one people, one love, one sacred trust.

Africa's sacred trust. Vodun is the Haitian way, though, in Haitian mythology, we are all one, all descendants of Lè marasa, lè mò, e lè mistè.

No matter how the so-called current world missionaries express dependency, it is charity and not development. Dependency is still hate and self-masturbation. There are more NGOS in Haiti and charitable organizations working in our name than anywhere else in the world. Yet, the net effect, is still zero development for the masses of Haitians. These missionaries live like Mini Monarchs, masturbating on black pain, a pain that must continue in order for them to keep their gig. Yep, Haitians are well versed in the manifold guises of those there in Haiti to "save our souls" for a cherubic white peopled Heaven. Nou se Ginen. Ibo gran moun lakay Ibo....

Still, where our umbilical chord is, where my first blood is buried, the way is Vodun. In 200 years of US debt, dependency and domination, of purposeful containment in poverty, piracy and fleecing of Haiti's natural resources, no US-Euro military, diplomacy or any of its various ecclesiastical occupations have yet been able to destroy the Vodun link Haitians have to their core. Perhaps, our way cannot be sundered down through the millenniums. For, first the Arabs came, then the Europeans, betrayed hospitality, raped and pillaged and forced Mother African to kneel to their domesticated, politicized "gods".... But, in Haiti, the "G(o)od" we recognized was within and our human bodies its source for expression, yes while on EARTH. So, as Euro-US slavery Christianity creed sanctioned our granmamas to be breed like mares, as Euro-US slavery Christianity creed, decimated the feminine, the amalgamated African tribes reclaimed, not the male conquerors' creed, but took back mother Africa. Remembered Vodun. Osiris' throne. The Queens' sacred womb.

Cecile Fatiman, called on Ezili Danto...and 300-years of Euro-christian barbarity was crushed and decimated. That...that is the road less travelled by any other African nation to date. For, the African warrior Jean Jacques Desalin "recreated the very soul of the sun, tearing a folk deep inside a flying clothes, not one but three hundred year gravitational pull. (or is is from back to 700AD before the Arabs whitened North Africa???). The Haitian warriors had arched the sky spirit back into mother earth again, igniting Akebulan's ancient fires......Petwo's redemptive red at Bwa Kayiman."

So, folks, take it from this Haitian woman, these missionaries may undulate however they please, the fact of the matter is, no US-Euro or other "missionary" has been able to reverse Haiti's call to the ancestors at Bwa Kayiman and unless their willing to commit genocide, again and again, with sponsoring coup d'etat after coup d'etat until they get to the same level of killings of Blacks as was done during the MAAFA. Haiti cannot be, but Vodun

Ezili Danto

Li led li la
ezilidanto.com

"Only Allah can save you and Haiti. Only Allah can save you from Satan. Give your life to Allah so that you may have a new life in Mohammed. When you become a child of Mohammed, you are free of Satan's kingdom. Step by step, we'll ensure that Haiti becomes a Muslim country."

OK, I exxagerate for effect here but the reality is that Jews, Buddhists, Jains, Hindus, Zoroastrians, and Animists do not send missionaries around the world on a global scale. Imagine if they did though, and that there were missionaries in your own backyard who said your faith was wrong, and everyone not practicing his/her faith was a heretic. It would bother you, right? It would bother me.

Anyways, I stand up for the right of a person to believe as they wish. Noone on tis site gets upset about Santeria in Cuba, Candomble in Brazil, etc? Haiti is very close, Haiti is very poor and Haiti and its belief systems have been stigmatized.

The French used Christianity as a justification for slavery, Vodoun was a justification for rebellion and freedom. So it is a part of history and culture, and should not be expunged as I feel like many people are advocating for here.

I agree with Dave from the united states as a missionary who has opened orphanages. Not every missionary is up to something. Bryan I admire your zeal to stand for the people of Haiti. But you can also help by standing in the gap that the Lord will use you to be a chanel the Lord will use to bring deliverance to the people Haiti from Vodoo and religiousness.
When you become a child of God you are free from satan's kingdom. Why continue in Vodoo. Knowing God as Dave metioned in his mail will not serve you but to repent and give your life to christ. And turning from the old life to a new life in christ Jesus, though you believe that Jesus was just a prophet. But the only way to God is through Jesus the Son of God, though He was manifested in a human form.
I am happy to hear that the Lord is opening doors in Haiti for revive. My is that the Lord will send right people to accept the people of Haiti and help them out through their process of deliverance.
Stay blessed Haiti.
Angel B

RR - Great that you have been to Haiti five times but I am concerned that you feel this makes you an expert in all things Haitian, which it does not. Even myself, after having lived in Haiti for two and a half years, speaking Haitian, knowing the culture intimately am always learning new things about the country. It is nice that you have met government officials, and have almost met President Preval (that's the proper spelling). You say no one forced Christianity on Haitians. That is not true. The French did so and used it as a justification of slavery. Hey, there are all kinds of missionaries in Haiti. Some of them treat Haitians as equals and are extremely caring and dedicated individuals. I respect them. However, the person who wrote the email contained within the blog is just another crusader. Seems to me you are only prepared to treat someone as an equal if they think and act as you do. In reference to being told what to do, how to think, and how to believe by foreigners a friend said to me "You are the only white person who has ever treated me as a human being". I wonder how you would react to people from other countries coming to your community to convert you? Perhaps you would like to become a Muslim or a Hindu? I am not anti religion or anti missionary. We can and do partner with religious organizations involved in health, environmental preservation, and education. In closing, you offered to take me to Haiti so I could learn a thing or two. I extend the same offer to you.

This post shows your lack of knowledge of the Haitian People. Also, shows your lack of knowledge about God in general. Also, shows your lack of knowledge about various religions. Keep it up though cause your lack of knowledge shows how bright you are. I have been to Haiti five times. I have seen villages change from VooDoo to Christianity. I have seen the blessings God has poored on the Haitian believers. Voodoo is of Satan, it does not hold the people together. It has caused thousands to die since 1804 when they dedicated the country to the devil. I have meet government officals, almost meet president Rene Praval(spelling). The bottom line is that God sustains this world, if you continue to live in Sin you will eventually pay the consequences, thus death.

I have seen first hand what God has done, I have seen first had the peoples hearts as they have changed. In one village where we worked if you dropped a tool it would be gone before you got down to pick it up. Today, they either give it back to you are leave it alone. We have helped thousands at various medical clincs throughout Haiti. We have seen Voodoo priests get saved because they have seen the power of God.

Haitians themselves know Voodoo is a curse passed on to them through years of bondage, those that choose to believe in Voodoo do so because they have not freed themselves from the curse. Voodoo is not a game, voodoo is death. Jesus Christ is Life. Voodoo cannot save you, Jesus Christ can save you. Voodoos god has an end, Jesus Christ has no end...

No one that I have ever travelled with to Haiti has ever forced God upon them, I could tell you stories where peoples lives have been completely changed, and prosperity gained in Haiti where they have stopped Voodoo and embraced God. I can tell you where whole communities have prospered when they stopped VooDoo and embraced God's way. Soon I am going to be able to tell you that Haiti will renew its relationship with God and see great prosperity in the name of God. Already last year on 7/07/07, the process was started whereas a select government officials started by dedicating the country to God, next year on 7/07/08, the process will continue, until it is completed.

So while your ignorance keeps the Haitians down, God's love builds them up. So you can help by examining your own relationship with God and determine if you are on the right course.

Peace, by the way you can come on a mission trip anytime, email me and maybe you could learn something...

Below, courtesy of Haiti Xchange, is a list of missionary organizations active in Haiti. I do feel that all missionaries should have to sign up to an interfaith Code of Conduct - Like Sphere standards (www.sphereproject.org) but for mission work.

Faith in Action, Inc
http://www.faithinactionworldoutreach.com/aboutus.html
For New Missions
House of Compassion
Aslan Youth Ministries http://www.aslanyouth.org/haiti/index.html
Beyond Borders
House of Bread
Harvest International
Haiti Lutheran Missions
Grace Mission to Haiti
International Missions Outreach
MROH - Mission Reach Out Haiti
Northwest Haiti Christian Mission
Haitian Christian Mission
Living Hope Haiti Christian Mission
Missions Of Love
Mission of Hope Haiti
Red Quarry Christian Church
Haitian Christian Foundation
Baptist Haiti Mission
Grace Missions International
New Jerusalem Baptist Mission
OMS International
Living Hope Mission
House of Blessings
For Haiti With Love
Kids Alive International
Angel Missions
Haiti Gospel Missions
Genesee Conference Missions Promotion Team
Christ's Mandate For Missions
Ray of Hope Street Ministry
Southeast Christian Church
Christian Missionary Anglican Communion (CMAC)
North Haiti Christian University
The Christian & Missionary Vision
Christian Mission of Pignon
Hopital Evangelique
Bowling Green Christian Church
Christian Light of Haiti
Quisqueya Christian School,
World Gospel Mission
UCNH - Université Chrétienne du Nord d’Haïti
Liberty Christian
Eustis Christian
Port St. John Christian
Lakewood Baptist Church
Mission Aviation Fellowship
Chalet Orphange
New Alliance Ministries
the Lively Stone Training School
CCS (Christian School)
Christian Haitian Outreach
HIS Home for Children
For His Glory
Heart Line Ministries
Three Angels Childrens Relief
Petite Ange de Chantel
Bethany Christian Adoptions
God's Littlest Angels
Christian Adoption Service
Haitian Angels
Cazeau Christian Orphanage
Mercy House
Starfish Ministries Orphanage
Christian Missionary Fellowship (CMF)
Christian Child Care International
Avoca Christian Church
Sturtevant Chapel
Baptist World Alliance
JEMS Ministry - Japanese Evangelical Missionary Society
Bethesda Christian Angel Home
Aquin Haiti Project
Bethel Orphanage
Calvary Temple
Canadian Economic Development Associates
Chapelle de la Trinité
Christ Gospel Church
Christianville
CRS-HAVA
Den School
Eglise Baptiste
Madeira Presbyterian Church
Living Word of Faith Fellowship
Sharing Christ's Love Orphanage
MEBSH - Evangelical Baptist Mission of South Haiti
Haïti Partnership

You have said that very well!

my mother (who grew up in haiti) and i were discussing my own lack of religion the other day and haiti came up. i tend to feel that religion causes problems in the world and is at the root of many wars, political issues, etc. HOWEVER, it is vodou that has held haitians together throughout the centuries. in the case of haiti it is religion (vodou) that has created life for them and kept them going. despite poverty, disease, natural disasters, etc. haitians never lose hope, their pride, or their faith. the haitian spirit is strong; i'm hopeful that in the same way a haitian could not convince a protestant to start worshipping erzulie, that haitians will resist as well, or continue to incorporate christian ideas into vodou, a favorite of the missionaries i'm sure.

I have never been to Haiti, but it sounds like You people are trying to bring in the white mans belief into Haiti. I look at the Jews, they do not believe in Jesus Christ the savior, they believe in God the almighty. Jesus Christ is just a prophet in there eyes, but no one contest this and yet they are the richest cultured people in this world today.Indians, believe in the spirits, and so on with other different cultures. There are so many cultures out there with different beliefs and yet no missionary goes to these country's and try to show them Jesus as the so called light. They believe in Buddah, Mohammad, Spirits, different Gods and so on. I think the whole reason that this is the way it is in Haiti is because of Europeans. White people, the French, British, Spain, can't get over the fact that Haiti today still claims victory in the only successful African revolutionary WAR in history. Did you know that Neapolean ,what ever his name is was defeated by the Hatian's, and his goal was to abolish the african's in Haiti destroy every one of them like the Jews. because they were to strong and almighty. now that is history, what does this tell you. How come no one speaks about the great history's and victory's that the Haitian people have running in their veins, does it hurt when the American presidents here such greatness. White America lives in Haiti. they use the soil, take from it, Gold, Diamonds ect... and build mansion to live in, while the so called Negro's are starving and dying. white America live like kings and Queens in Haiti,but yet they tell lies to the World so that only they could profit from Haiti. I believe that The Europeans have a lot to hide and more to pay for. they are a very evil and cruel type of people. What they have done to Haiti, just for its control is unforgivable. What they have done to Africa, Iraq, small countrys who cannot defend themselves against the evil Satan and yet They have the freedom to talk so much highly of God. The disrespect God by stamping In God We Trust on there bloody money but yet they don't even know who or what this God is. the Indians have more knowledge of who God is that why there such a special group. I look around the world today,and everyone seems to have a lot of hate and Anger for the White man. the Hatian's, Mexicans,Africans all around the world including America, Chavez and his peoples, such wonderful people., the middle East, Korea, and the list goes on and on. know you people sit down and analyze all of the destruction's, hatred, hangings and killings, murders and rapes, and the list goes on, that the Europeans have committed, and got away with. Then you will be able to sit down with me and have a descent conversation about other nationalities. for now you need to find yourselves, because what the United States have done to Haiti, just for the control is far worst than any type of Un-human behavior that i have ever seen in my life time. The saddest thing is that no one outside of Haiti knows what these Europeans are doing. This is Pure Evil

Linda,
I wondered if you understood my reply to Bryan Schaaf. Although, it can be conceived that racism through history has had a hold to the “phenotype” levels, there are many other forms of racism that cross the line of patriotic pride, family and any other conceivable idea you may have. Nevertheless, in racism there has been a high amount of hatred and even violence that is lacking in these missionaries. I would not say that is a case of inferiority or superiority; but it is a case of standards of living. If you have not traveled to Haiti, then you are ignorant of the standards of living there. Is not that we are better than, but we have a higher standards of living because of our heritage, government, etc. If someone wants to equate the low standard of living to Voodooism, then we need to ask then to “prove it”. If at the end, this is the cause, Haitians must come to the crossroads and decide Voodooism and deceases (malaria, dengue, polio, etc.) or change and better standards of living.

In short, let’s say that I accused you of being XYZ or that you said the words XYZ. However you are neither XYZ nor said XYZ. Do you think that I am allowed to publicize my opinion of you in that way? This is what I will truly call “screaming at anyone who will listen”. I just want for Bryan Schaaf and yourself to substantiate your claims with facts and not with pre-conceived notion. It might be that living outside Haiti has given you a false sense of truth to the rural areas of Haiti. Here there is no sense of trust and hope.

Lastly, I defined progress in the matter the organization I work for does: currently helping 19 cities/villages in three significant ways (1) training and mentoring indigenous community leaders; (2) building churches, schools, and orphanages; and (3) escorting teams of volunteers from the United States to assist in construction projects, medical needs, and community projects. As a result, these Haitian cities/villages now have leaders who are equipped to provide the stability and reliability needed so that a sense of renewal, a gift of knowledge, and a spirit of hope can emerge. If you want to call that self masturbation, I must be a very sexually satisfied individual. In addition, we continue to support over 300 children that have lost their parents to the 2004-2005 hurricane season and we help schooled over 1200 students last year. We just finish our second school construction for this summer construction. Comparing these 19 cities/villages to others we have seen, they are happier, healthier and full of hope. And they are not ashamed to the fact that this was done in the name of Jesus Christ.

God commands that we should plant the seed in faith and let Him take care of the rest. It shouldn't be our sole responsibilities as Christians to forcibly convert every non-believer in the world to the point that they feel alienated and where the convictions and testimonies become forced. Protestant Christians (as I am one raised from birth by two ordained Southern Baptist Ministers)believe that their is one way to heaven through believing that Christ is God and that He died to save us all from our sins and all we have to do is believe. Seminaries have made millions selling an education so that preachers can get their doctorates to teach this simple concept. The point is that Christians are increasingly losing time to witness effectively (effectively meaning spurring human interest in salvation and letting God take over) to people that never heard of God or don't want to hear about God. There's going to be a time where God's chosen will have to take a step back and watch as thousands of non-believers will pay the consequences of their inability to believe and Christians will have to account for their inability to witness to those nonbelievers. It is not our place as Christians to judge anybody but to witness and proclaim our beliefs to those around us. It is not up to us to condemn profane practices or declare judgment for practicing such practices but to offer alternatives and teachings that can better provide decision making skills. I'm not saying condone profane actions but don't actively spit at it and call it Satan becuase that's what Satan wants. He wants the pleasure of being credited for his work and it increases the potential for people to fall in his traps to spite what "racist white superioritists" say about their traditions and values.

As a volunteer American medical worker in Haiti, I've had many opportunities to observe different missionary groups drifting in and out of the country. (You can always tell which direction they're traveling, BTW. Kind of funny) Some come in loud, billboard-like shirts, announcing their arrival, obviously expecting their presence to be acknowledged and appreciated. I'm immediately suspicious of high profile religious groups. Whose attention are they trying to attract, exactly? They bring and often flaunt their privilege with them in the way of creature comforts to maintain them during their 'visit'. It is, unfortunately, the arrogant, ‘we have arrived’ attitude of some of these salvation-slinger types that have the rest of us very nearly apologizing for insensitive Americans wherever we go. I, personally, am of the opinion that many groups that come into the country are only there to indulge themselves in a self-gratifying religious safari. That, and because there's no one to stop them from imposing themselves on communities that desperately need relief from anyone that can offer it. Some areas are in such desperation, they'll endure whatever doctrine that's thrust upon them if it means they'll get vitamins for their children. It is rude, presumptuous and arrogant for any group to come in to 'help' disadvantaged people for the sake of gaining a platform from which to pontificate (and then leave), feeling satisfied once back home that they have educated the poor, misguided natives.
I was raised in a manner that holds to the idea that you give witness to your faith by living example. That the giving of ones' self should be without strings attached. I don't have to wear a shirt that announces that I'm doing God's work. If I’m in Haiti (on purpose, after all), doing what I can to improve the conditions there, I’m doing God’s work. Period. I don't need to say it out loud enough so that someone will hear. Anyone that voluntarily and REPEATEDLY goes to Haiti to help his fellow man, knows that the most effective and efficient way to accomplish anything there, including setting Christian example, is to roll up your sleeves, shut your mouth and get dirty. I guarantee the Haitians will thank God for you then.
If I were to give (unsolicited) advice to missionary groups looking to 'do good' in Haiti, it would be to get close enough to hold the hands of those who are in despair and look them in the eyes. Promise them you'll remember them when you're back home in a safe place and you won't forget that they need you. You can pray with them IF they ask you to. (you can pray privately for them if they don't). Fight for them when you get back to where there are resources enough to share, and then be sure to actually share them. Remember their names and faces every time you're in a warm, clean bath. (You can pray for them then, too.) The missions shouldn't be about how YOU feel about what you're doing for the Haitians, but more appropriately, what they stand to gain by the time you spend with them. You can tell them all day long that Jesus loves them, but you'd better back it up with groceries and antibiotics. They'll love Jesus more if he sent you with malaria drugs and shoes. If you've done you're job effectively, you'll be the one who’s more improved as a Christian than the people you're trying to ‘convert’. They have nothing to prove in order to be deserving of the kingdom of heaven. If you are in Haiti because you have something to prove or you need validation, quietly remind yourselves that "your rewards are in heaven" and please don't rely on the Haitians to make you feel good about yourselves in the meantime. They have enough to worry about. – thanks for letting me vent.

Wow. I feel that if I start out by telling you I am Catholic I am immediately going to be under attack, so I will start out by saying I am a very liberal cause/tree hugging/social change/save the world kind of person and very active in these causes. I also happen to be Catholic. Often, if people I am working with on these causes find out that I am Catholic, they are shocked. I dare say that some may change their opinion of me for the worse. I truly don't get it. I think (or at least hope) that my "liberalness" leads me to be very accepting of the beliefs and opinions of others. It always blows me away when an otherwise liberal minded person goes on a rant about religion. It seems so contrary to the very nature of being liberal. (You know, accept others and their beliefs and all that.) I guess what I'm trying to say is that people of faith are as different and individual as people of color and people of Haiti. In defending the very dignity of the Haitians, please don't resort to sweeping generalizations about people of faith (even though people like "Dave" admittedly make it easy to do.) He doesn't represent all of us. Some of us are the people working next to you and you don't even know it! Ah, the human condition. We are all flawed. Doesn't mean our good works don't count, even if we annoy the Hell out of people along the way to accomplishing them. Peace Out and keep up the awesome work!

Juli

Leonardo Rodriguez

This is very much the case of the blind trying to lead the blind. That racism is not based on religious beliefs is true. However, that racism is solely based on physical appearances (phenotypes) is as false as the previous statement is true. Racial acts have for eons been committed against people who for all purposes could be white in the way they look. Thus came the old word “passing.” Those were people who looked white but were in fact of mixed racial descent and passing as white. The problem was that no matter how white they looked, once it was discovered that they had a drop of black blood in their veins, they were most often beaten, spat at, and sometimes killed by whites. Racism is based on a concept of racial lineage not on physical appearance. Back in those not so long ago days things were cut and dry. The “one drop [of black blood] rule applied at all times, and the lines were clearly drawn. Today, it is so much more difficult to identify a racist. It is also so much easier to defend racist acts, as they are now subtle and carefully camouflaged. Lastly, how do you define progress? If your definition includes Haitians developing a high sense of inferiority because their religious beliefs are maligned and debased, than you go right ahead and continue to scream at anyone who will listen to you. However, I’m not into psychological or cultural destruction, so I’ll stick with people who want to help, but don’t want to use the poor Haitians for self masturbation.

Your response was a perfect white domination tactic. Your infernally long post was done as a deliberate tactical diversion to keep people from reading the previous posts most of which stated objections to your missionary presence in Haiti. The problem with your "domination" of the sight tactic is that it is in fact so old and overly used by your type of people that most of us will see right to it. Personally, you are a very scary demented individual, and I worry about the damage that you (alone) are inflicting on the minds of young Haitians. Why don't you go home. There are lots of whites kids who are starving right here in America. Can't you just poison their minds instead of that of those sweet Haitian kids?

those who do not know the history of missionaries in places like Brazil, Australia, America, Africa, and the Caribbean should look it up. As a professor of anthropology and a person who spent the last 18 years of her life studying the devastating effect of missionaries on none white ethnic group, I can tell you that their invasion of Haiti is by far the worst thing that could ever happen to that sad country--worst than all the political oppression, worst than the economic unfairness, and worst than the constant killings. The missionaries goals is to kill the core culture of the Haitian people as they did everywhere else they went. Once that's done, the Haitians will be pray to any other form of self defamation and self destruction. Read the history of missionaries--careful; read the history, not the story from the missionaries.

it is a sorry day when missionaries invade Haiti as they did every other none white area in the world. I mean look at the great job they did in Africa, with Native Americans, with the Australian Aborigines, with Brazil's indigenous population. Everywhere they go they spread their venomous white superiority ideology, embedded in various religious dogma, creating a sense of inferiority in the population that they ideologically (psychologically) conquer. The Haitian population had--thank God--escaped their brainwashing. Now, these racist religious fanatics get to make-up for time lost. I mean, how dare a nation not believe in a white ideology...
By the way, I am a religious person...went to religious schools all my life, and am highly spiritual. I just don't equate spiritualism with these spiritual twisters of racial hierarchy who pretend to do God's work as they spread their white venom--sometimes using the none white locals, who don't know better

I would like to know how to get in touch with some of the people from haiti... would you please help me?

Bryan i admire you in so many ways. I am sixteen and hope to help just as much as you have. I hope the ignorance of others never stop you or bring you down to such a deplorable level. You are a beautiful being :)

Bryan,
I came across your blog as I am researching more factual information of Haiti in my endeavors to help the Haitian community. I have been serving the Haitian community for seven years and I believe I am one of those “missionaries” who have your respect. Nevertheless, I believe that your comment is flawed and unwarranted. I can compare your reaction as being afraid of a plastic snake, knowing that is a “plastic snake”.

First you need to use words in their context and definition so you can better express your sentiments. One cannot say, he/she is racist based on religious believe. Racism in is true form is based on physical appearance between people. If you were to show me that the NGO said or did something racist such as: “I would never eat with those color people” or “I cannot mingle with them and can’t wait to go home”. If this would have been the fact, I would have totally agreed with you. Yet, I neither saw, nor hear your evidence of racism, thus, your explicit claim fails the test.

It is hard to separate the voodooism from the cultural background of Haiti. Yet, if Haitian’s can be convince that some (if not all) of their practice are prejudicial to their life and stagnate their progress, would not be better to accommodate to this new found realization than to hold to meaningless and useless practice? History has shown this by the early believes that the earth was flat and that the sun revolved around the earth. Would you hold on to the belief because it “supposedly” makes your heritage cultural background?

This is probably why Haitian’s don’t follow the “blood-line to Africa” closer by practicing Female Circumcision (also know as Female Genital Mutilation)? Just the idea can make even a manly man flinch. In addition, some voodoo rituals require live sacrifice of chicken in which some priest bite the live chickens, exposing him/her self to bird flu. This is just the tip of the issues that shows that is better to accommodate to new found realization, as long as they are true.

Lastly, will you like to close the borders and allow Haiti to progress without the “missionary” efforts? I believe here YOU are being SELFISH and IGNORANT. As long as these “missionaries” don’t, rape, murder, or enslave Haitians and are contributing to the needed progress, let them be. Nobody is putting a gun to the Haitian’s head and telling them that they ‘must’ attend these services. Furthermore, if Haitians decide to attend ‘only’ because of the provisions these missionaries bring, what gives? Let them be and I hope they enjoy the provisions (food, medicine, etc.), for they bring the provisions irregardless of the Haitians motives for receiving them. There is just a greater hope that they receive not just the provisions but the one who sends them (God’s and His love).

With all do repect, I've read some of your comments here, I find it to be racist and very disrespectful for some foreigne to come to my homeland to tell me how to live my life. one, I do believe in God with all my soul and secondly voodoo is a part of my culture that is withing me. To make it clear to all that does not know about voodoo, every Haitian have African dencent spirits living with them whether they want to acknowledge them or not. God states in his own words he gave us the knowledge of right from wrong and he gave us the freedom to make our own choice. There is is no way in hell will i listern to any man on this Earth to tell what to do when it comes to my belief. As a born Haitian American I am telling some of those missionary that are in Haiti under a false pretext to stay out of my country. The Haitian people are not stupid, they will find out eventually you guys are using them for your own personal interest. Why dont you missionary speak to your government and tell them to officialy give us our Freedom we've won since in the 1800, it seems like they refuse to acknowledge that we as african decents freed ourselves from slavery.

today a great day to live again i thank God everyday of my life cause i witness is power and is grace cause he gives a chance everyday to change and let us not ask God for a second chance cause every morning we wake up , we go out and come back short everyday is a second chance let us take full profit of it and use it wise

I dont know but as haitian i can say due to all the problems that we have in haiti it would be fair to say its not a place for a human to live in but not everybody have the chance to move to another country even thoug they make it so tough for hatians to go anywhere. but since after our independance we have not realize anything better so its a fact that voodoo have not taking us to a good direction what so ever I respect our Heroes and i found our history extremely great but what happen to the voodoo everybody is talking about if it was that powerfull im sure today we can use it again cause thats over 200 hudred years of poverty or was the voodoo only meant for our freedom from slavery or isnt it the same voodoo they use to kill people cause i was born and raise in haiti I know what talking about

I recently returned from Haiti and can give you the name and/or e-mail of someone who can help you. He is a Haitian man who works with several groups providing water, houses and other necessary things to the people in the mountains. I will ask his permission to put his e-mail address on this site as I'm not sure how else to get it to you!

We work with some amazing people while we're in Haiti and have made good friends there. We have learned ways to respect and accept each other in spite of some of our differences.

Whatever you do, the key is to remain united. I'll provide a few examples of development, neither of which is related to religion, per se, that seem to have generated a residual divisiveness similar to the submissions previously posted.

Most recently, I was for some strange reason watching 60 Minutes one Sunday evening. One subject was a MIT professor's efforts at bringing laptop computers to school children in developing countries. The initiative certainly worthy, but as the interview pushed along, he stated his ill feelings towards other companies' efforts to bring similar computers. He claimed he was not in it for any reason at all, yet he vigorously denounced the companies' for-profit efforts. Why should the professor be upset if a for-profit company can help out with more computers at a lower price? To further highlight the parallels here, I'll mention that each brand of computer had different strengths and weaknesses. It seems the professor failed to check his ego at the door. How much the professor resembles one church and the other companies resemble other churches.

Secondly, I recall an experience I had while in Haiti. In the run-up to the 2000 elections, the local candidates campaigned by re-invigorating their civic groups. The re-invigoration in several cases was a direct product of these politicians' ability to bring in micro-loans to their voter bases. Whether or not microfinance loan officers in the field particularly targeted the political re-invigoration as a market is not known to me. What I do know is that it destroyed the non-political, non-religious savings & loan cooperative I was advising. While people locally certainly got their loans, they got them at the expense of any unity in their locality. How would the lack of unity affect them when it came time to improve a water source which was used by persons of all political stripes? I recall opening discussions about the water source, but the post-election divisiveness limited how helpful I could be. Just in case you were wondering, all persons involved were baptised Christians.

The point of this treatise, lest I go on much longer, is to point out how not realizing you're on the same team can be so damaging. We need EVERYONE to please check your ego at the door. Too much ego in this development business. Sure, condoms don't have a 100% success rate. Sure, people commit errors. But not being perfect did not stop any of the 12 apostles. God is about love, folks, not about pointing out failures. Peter, who failed Christ perhaps more than any of the other apostles, built the early church. I know for a fact that Bryan is a very good man who loves Haitians. I can also assume that John the missionary loves Haitians, too. Pointing out the weaknesses in either Bryan or John is not going to solve much. Pointing out one's weaknesses without working towards unity is not part of Christianity or Vodoun. We each know our weaknesses--it's the place where our egos are most inflated. The key is that to bring John to let down his defenses, he has to feel safe. Chastising him is only going to make him more defensive. And, my Christian brethren, chastising Bryan is not going to get anywhere, either. Coming together openly and humbly will, however, get it done. The Haitians are waiting on us to make ourselves presentable.

Bryan, I am so glad hear a voice of reason amidst all the Bible thumping claptrap that constitutes most charity work in Haiti. I am researching this subject, and wonder if you (or anyone else reading this) can put me in touch with Haitians themselves who are working to better the lives of their fellow Haitians. People who aren't trying to save souls or convert the populace, but who are helping with no spiritual strings attached. I will check this website regularly for any replies.
Catherine

I too received the "God is in Haiti" e-mail and I too had a great battle with my gag reflex. I only found one major fault with your article Bryan. I'm from Nebraska, the state is ripe with catholics. Dave,Vicki, please come save us from our bondage.

I just came upon your site today....I would like to mention a few things...the passage of not judging others is so misconstrued by many...actually we make jugements every day of our lives...we judge between good and evil, right and wrong, do I or don't I etc. In fact, a great deal of the blogs here are full of judgement...even the original author seems to be judging. The Bible has many things to say on this: "Give therefore thy servant an understanding heart to judge they people, that I may discern between good and bad:for who is able to judge this they so great a people" Deut.3:9 (King Solomon's plea for wisdom)Jesus said "Judge not lest ye be judged, for with what measure you meet it shall be measured to you again". So if you hold someone up to a standard you have conceived of in yourself...you will be held to that same standard on judgement day before God. But, the Lord has set standards we should all be concerned about...like one...you cannot enter the kingdom of God apart form Jesus.
I think we should leave judgement of one's final eternal destination to God, but obviously in this life we need Godly judgement, not to judge others but to judge ourselves.Regarding Satan...he is judged already..."Every kingdom divided against itself is borught to desolation: and a house divided against a house faileth. If Satan be divided against himself, how shall his kingdom stand?...But if I with the finger of God cast out devils, no doubt the kingdom of God is come upon you. When a stong man armed keepeth his palace, his goods are in peace. But when a stronger than he shall come upon him, and overcome him, he taketh from him all his armour wherein he trusted, and divideth his spoils. He that is not with me is against me: and he that gathereth no with me scattereth" Luke 11:17-23
I think instead of shooting the soldiers we should gather together in love for the common good of the Haitian people who need the one and only true God.
"Pure religion and undefiled before God and the Father is this. To visit the fatherless and widows in their affliction, and to keep himself unspotted from the world" James 1:27

I will certainly come back to your interesting blog. You have seen at a certain ease identify Haiti weakest links. Can it be fixed?

I am not a missionary. I'm not even christian but Bryan is correct in his observations that there are some missionaries who would put their own religeous ambitions and dogmas ahead of the basic goal of helping a people in need. You cannot come in here and say to these people, you must believe what I believe or I won't help you. Also, there is this practice of one mission snubbing another for no other reason than they feel that they have the better church. I have lived in Haiti for three years working as a diesel generator mechanic. I own a garage in Cap Haitien. I still don't speak much kreyol but in my own small way I am here to help people whatever their beliefs. I provide jobs, and I teach others my trade. I truly feel that anyone considering coming to Haiti or anyother country to be a missionary should take a long hard look at their own soul and realize that if you are here to salve your concience or earn "heaven points" stay home and send a check.

I live in the United States and I recently became friends with someone who moved here from Haiti only last year. He happens to be one of the kindest people I have met in my lifetime with more morals and better values than 95% of the people I know. Have you ever thought that God doesn't want us to argue about who or what to believe in, but to show love for others and acceptance for those who are different in their beliefs. As long as someone is living their life in an honest and respectful manner, why would someone come in and say that is wrong???? From what I can tell, Americans could learn quite a bit from the people of Haiti, maybe we should shut our mouths and open our hearts!! :)

I'm sorry but I could not read the rest of your post after I read the part about not following ALL His commandments and being cursed. Have you read the Bible? Do you not know that being "saved" is based on faith alone in Jesus Christ? Before you start cursing others, perhaps you ought to make sure your faith is in Christ and not in works or keeping all the commandments.

Not only do I find Vicki's post long-winded I find it extremely flawed. And a good dose of "practice what you preach" may help her see that. She continuously says that she/we are not to judge others but that is God's job. Well isn't calling the religious beliefs of approximatley 9 million people 'satan's work' judgemental? I wonder if religious freedom means anything to this person. If Vicki were told that her "One God" was not legitimate what would she do? Many Haitians choose to believe in voodoo and all the spirits, Legba, Erzili, Dambala and for uninformed foreigners to refer to these beliefs as satanic is unjust to say the least. I am surprised this religious colonialism is still being imposed on Haiti. However the good thing is I can assume Vicki is one of those who doesn't speak Kreyol but understands Haitians very well because of their cute smiles so I shouldn't worry too much about this crusader.

Vicki, Thank you for your extensive and very passionate comments. One of our primary purposes in creating Haiti Innovation was to have a forum for dialogue on all manners of issue pertaining to Haiti. While it is obvious we disagree on certain issues, there are some things that we have in common. First, we both care about the Haitian people. Second, we both would like to see a Healthier Haiti - and realize that HIV/AIDS must be addresed in order to bring this about. There are so many interesting issues which we have raised that we could discuss further. Ill put some points which caught my attention and we can continue the dialogue. 1) Medicines - I am sorry that your medicines were taken in customs. As you said, it is a possibility that were taken to be sold. Do keep in mind though, that mission trips often bring down expired medications. This upsets the Ministry of Health very much. As it would upset us. 2) Medical Missions - I have participated in many, probably around twenty five. I feel medical missions are good for identifying emergency cases and for cultural exchange. Not much else. If we are not linked up with local organizations, the worms come back, the fevers return, etc. Medical missions should have a capacity building component, or truthfully, we benefit more than the Haitian patients. Health Education is important but we have to recognize that we ourselves need to be educated on the cultural, circumntances, etc. 3)Racism - With missionaries, I often detect an under-current of racism. Haitians are all to used to foreigners telling them how to be, how to act, how they should think of their own history, etc. A Haitian once said to me "you are the only white person who every treated me like a human being". I feel that the projects I was involved in when living in Haiti for two and a half years had an impact - but all of them put together didnt matter as much to me as that one sentence. 4)Religion - An exercise: Look at the blog that you wrote and substitute the word "Allah" for "God" and "Mohammed" for "Jesus Christ". Would what you wrote still resonate with you or would you feel like someone was trying to force something on you? I am not trying to be combatative here, I am just trying to understand. 5)Vodoun - I wonder how people can judge a religion without having seen it, experienced it, or even talked to someone who practiced it. This religion has been demonized by the media but above all, I think that it has the stigma that it has because of racism. Like any religion, it has its good and its bad. And every religion has good and bad. Do you agree? Those are the immediate points I wanted to touch on. I think that it is good to be having a dialogue on this subject. I thank you for your blog and welcome your responses. Bryan

Dave,

I respect your opinion although I disagree. If every tear shed and prayer said for Haiti were really making a difference, then people would not be fleeing Haiti as they are today.

But to understand Haiti, it is neccesary to set down the Bible and pick up the history books as well. The United States has played a major role in making Haiti what it is today. To criticize Haitians for their plight is to add insult to injury.

I find many Missionaries are not just advocating belief in God, but a conceptualization of God in their own image. Couldnt help but notice your swipe at the Catholic church, for example.

What really frightens me is that what you are saying about Haiti would probably apply to Thai Buddhists, Malaysian Muslims, and anyone else who does not belive as you do. That's a lot of people who are going to hell!

You mentioned HIV/AIDS due to promiscuous living. A loyal wife can contract HIV from a cheating husband. A newborn can contract HIV from his/her mother. Let's not generalize all those living with HIV/AIDS.

Let me close on a more positive note. Thank you for the work you are doing in Haiti with orphanges. I wish communities could absorb all orphans, but this is not always the case. Thank you for being involved.

Bryan

I was very sad to read your post. It makes me sad to see how we are so easily led in the wrong direction if we take our eyes off of God and rely on man. Man is only human and we cannot offer other people or ourselves deliverence from aids or anything else. God is a jealous God and he makes it very clear in his word he is to be the only God we serve. Deuteronomy 6:13 This is not a suggestion but a commandment from the God who created the universe. He created Haiti and America and you and me. He also spells out real clear if we do not obey him and carefully follow ALL of his commands we will be cursed. This includes the land we live in. We will be blessed if we are in obedience to him. This is all found throughout the bible in the old and the new testament but at this time I am reading Deuteronomy chapter 28 along with the ten commandments. These words are still for us today. When Jesus came and died upon the cross for the sins of the people in the entire world he made it clear when he arose from the dead he did not come to do away with the law but only to add to it. The missionaries you refer to in your post is only human just as you and I. We are made from dust and even though we are made in our father's image does not imply we are God. We are only his children. We will fail daily. We are not to look to anyone or anything seen or unseen for our help but only to the Alpha and Omega which is the only one who is worthy and remains worthy and his name is Jesus. His name is above all names. He is the creator of heaven and earth. I just came back from a mission trip to Haiti and my heart aches for the people in Haiti today. This was my second mission trip to Haiti and it was a medical mission trip. God taught me so much during my trip this time and I just want to praise him for his wonderful care he gives me. When we arrived in Haiti our medicine was taken in customs and we were told it was for safety reasons they did not understand the medicines in the United States are FDA approved and testing is prior to actual distribution of medications. I do not think this is related to lack of knowledge my thoughts are it was a way to make money. I pray I am not being judgemental since God's word tells us we are to leave the judging to him and him alone. He knows each of us since he is the creator of each one of us and therefore only he can weigh the scales correctly. My heart just aches to think here we were going to Haiti to help the people in Haiti receive adequate medical care but was stopped by those in charge. Why would you want to stop something which would help your country? I do not understand and only God knows all but I do know God showed me very clearly he is in control and what satan meant for our evil God turned for our good. I saw the great physician at work and it was not my earthly husband, who is a physician, God did a complete healing from not medical conditions but conditions you wrote about yourself. God revealed himself to the people in Haiti we were ministering and he removed the false gods from their lives. They were able to see the real enemy and to know they are not bound by satan they have been set free by Jesus. They do not need a witchdoctor, voo doo or any other thing satan may try to tell us we need all they or myself or anyone else needs is Jesus. We can make an idol into anything I think America does a great job with making money their idol. God owns it all and he gives us every breath we take. I am not here to judge the people in charge in Haiti or to judge the missionaires or even yourself. God created you and he knew you prior to your entry into your mother's precious womb. He has a plan for your life and everyone's life. He is in control. He gives us a free will and he is a true gentleman. He will not beat down our doors but he is always be present and ready and waiting for us when we call on his name. The land of Haiti is suffering today from decisions made in the past and God's blessing will not be on Haiti nor will it continue to be on America nor any other place if we do not bow down to Jesus and give credit where credit is due. This is not just about Haiti this is about sin and the consequences of our sins. God is God and he is all I need. The witchdoctors, or voo doo or bottom line satan has not one thing to offer me but pure defeat and destruction. God has great things for me and I experience his blessings daily and I cannot wait each day to see what else he is going to allow me to be a part of with him. Last week it was to be in Haiti and love on the people there in Haiti. I did not have them medicines but I did have love for them and I loved on them just as Jesus has instructed me to do. I love the people in Haiti and I even love those in charge who took the medicines away. They know their reasons and God does and the rest is left up to God. God is in control and he is not up in heaven wringing his hands today not knowing what to do about Haiti. He is well aware of everything in Haiti and he only calls us to be obedient and he will bless our obedience. satan wants us to think we need witchcraft or voo doo or whatever other god we can think of but the bottom line is we only need Jesus. I am so sorry you were so offended by the missionaires who gave of themselves to come and be with you in Haiti. I think any education is a good thing. God's word tells us plainly knowledge is power. The book of Proverbs is full of wisdom and telling us to gain as much as possible. The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge. Our children do need to be taught all about sexual sins and all about sexualy transmitted diseases. This is the second year I have witnessed one teenager after another coming into our medical clinic in Haiti and being diagnosed with a sexual transmitted disease. We took the opportunity this year since we did not have the meds to give them we taught them about sexual transmitted diseases. We did not teach them last year about sexually transmitted diseases and my heart aches we did not think about this last year. We just gave out medicine to cure what problems could be cured. This was one of the blessings of the medicines being taken we were then able to have the time to devote to the education of the young and the old. We did not have contraceptives to give them which is a blessing since they will not have the money to continue to buy them and since these do not offer 100% protection. Every little bit helps I do agree but why not give them complete protection. Introduce them to Jesus and tell them were these diseases came from they came from the pits of hell. They came from our poor decisions. We want a short term pleasure and suffer a long term consequence. God created sex and he has an entire book on sex in the bible between a woman and a man (Song of Sonngs) ,who are married, and he shows us the true intimacy between this couple and how exciting sex can be in the right relationship. I witnessed in Haiti and here in the United States what sex outside of marriage leads to and it leads to one thing death in one way or another. The wages of sin are death and satan knows his time is growning to a close. I am here today to remind him he is getting closer and closer to his eternal destination and it is not pretty. I am so thankful God has kept my eyes on him and not allowed me to get side tracked and deceived by the father of lies. My heart aches for you today and my prayer is God will open your eyes and others who are so blinded by satan. I am not your enemy nor is the missionaries. Satan is your enemy and I pray God will reveal himself to you in a great way in the days ahead. I cannot wait to come to Haiti next year again and continue on glorifying God. God is so good all the time. I pray for the missionaires and I pray for Haiti today. May God finish the work he has started in Haiti. I encourage you to continue to teach the people in Haiti about sexually transmitted diseases and safe sex but I encourage you also to be totally honest with them and tell them how much protection they actually have from condoms and birth control. I am all for educating the entire world but I want to be totally honest with them and tell them the honest truth and it is there is no right way or safe way other than throught the blood of the Lamb. His name is Jesus. God bless the entire world is my prayer today. To God be the glory. Please look over all grammatical errors and spelling I am in a hurry and just wanted to comment on your post. God bless In Christ's love Vicki Bridges, RN

Hi Bryan,
I have made many visits to Haiti as my wife and I have opened an orphanage and plan to open more. I must strongly disagree with your comments. The Hatian people are in bondage to satan, voodoo the cathloic church and poverty. Very few can escape this bondage and that is why thousands board dangerous boats and try to escape to the US regularly (I believe 40,000 in 1992 alone). Check the cnn site today for another report of 300+ on a boat that probably would not make it to the US. The people are trying to find
freedom and many die in the attempt.
I appreciate your love for Haiti and what you are doing for the Hatian people but it is proven over 100's of years that there is no improvement due to the bondages that 1,000's die in the attempt to escape.
John the missionary who turns your stomach does more to help Hatians out of bondage and poverty in 1 day by praying for the power of God to change the people and free them from their bondages and holding Christian revivals than you and I can do in 100 years.
My orphanage is full of little kids that are parentless due to the life that voodoo/satan/the catholic church/the Hatian life style promote not to mention AIDS due to the promiscuous living.
There is no relief for the problems of Haiti (not me, not you, not a new Hatian leader,not the Catholic, not the UN or the US)other than the changing, healing and saving power of God.For those that believe there is another answer they are sadly mistaken. There can be 1,000 churchs in every town but if they are preaching about a dead god,mixing in voodoo and worshipping Mary rather than worshipping the risen and living God and his renewing and changing power and love than they are useless.
You can go to www.walkintheword.com and listen regularly to Dr. James MacDonald to understand God better. I am not with that organization, rather listening to the teaching changed my life and has enabled me to provide home in Haiti for orphans.
It's your life but moe importantly is your eternity. You ask for comments on why your are going to heaven or hell?? Don't take the issue lightly as we are all 1 heart beat away from eternity, you really don't want to spend it in hell!! Being nice and good as you probably are does not get you into heaven, accepting Christ as savior and asking him to forgive you for your sins is the only way. That is not me speaking that is the bible.

Bondye beni ou
Dave

Graham, Appreciate your thoughts on this and I agree with you completely that people should know where the money is going. Unfortunately, monitoring and evaluation and the "faith based approach" are often not compatible. There are numerous outside evaluations of traditional NGOs. Charity Navigator is a pretty good one. Perhaps there should be one for faith based NGOs. Not the large ones, but the small mom and pop operations of which Haiti has so many... Better yet, I think that missionaries should be required to take part in an orientation/cultural sensitivity training course for one week before beginning their duties. This would be for the long-timers. The reality is that so many of these missionaries are the short term type, who come in for one week and then leave. I wonder if these missionaries (diaspora aside) are the majority of tourists visiting Haiti? I was in the airport and saw a group of them wearing "Survivor Haiti" t-shirts. True that Haitians are survivors par excellence but this is disrepctful. I know I wouldnt like it if tourists started wearing "survivor Washdington DC" t-shirts. Although given recent crime trends, may be approrpiate. Bryan

Bryan, I've lived in Haiti for the past two summers between semesters at college. I completly understand and empathize with your comments on this "missionary" and many missonaries in Haiti. "Spiritual Sandbox." Wow, could not have said it better. What really irked me was missonaries living "American" style lives in gated compounds with air conditioning, plasma TV and the works. I don't mind mentioning the guilty. The Youth With A Mission Directo; Terry in St. Marc has a flat screen, 2 story house, leather couches, ect. ect. People should know where their money is going when they donate. Its so easy to give your perspective of how things should be when you are standing at the top of mountain, on the backs of humanity. They beat Britain, Spain and France during the Haitian revolution, they will beat foreign injustice and the display of sumptary goods as well. Bondye gade blan nan Ayiti! Graham