The Kingdom of God in a Collapsing Nation
Written by Rev. Dr. Laurence Graham, General Secretary of World Mission Partnership
As I turned on my computer one morning in early March, I saw two very different pieces of information which had just arrived from Haiti. One was a news headline that MSF (Médecins Sans Frontières) had just been forced to close their hospital in the Cité Soleil area of Port-au-Prince because of security concerns due to ongoing gang violence. The next thing I read was a WhatsApp message which had arrived during the night from Bishop Jean Lesly Dorcely of the Methodist Church in Haiti sending me his greetings, offering prayers for the Methodist congregations in Ireland and finishing with the words, “L’Eglise Methodiste marche un peu bien merci et nous attendons le secours de Christ” which roughly translates as, ‘The Methodist Church continues as best we can while continuing to depend on Christ’s help.’
“People queue to receive food being distributed by the Methodist Church in Cap Haitien, Haiti.”
These two communications from Haiti summarise the different types of information I have been receiving over the last couple of years. Already one of the poorest countries in the world, Haiti has been descending into near chaos recently. The roots of its material poverty lie in a legacy of colonial exploitation followed by a century of enforced payments from Haiti to France. More recently, trade rules have hampered Haiti’s exports while population density has led to deforestation, resulting in soil erosion and other environmental degradation. The situation has been exacerbated during the last decade by two major earthquakes, several vicious hurricanes and the inadvertent introduction of cholera from UN peacekeepers stationed in Haiti. On top of all this, the last couple of years have seen a deepening democratic deficit, including the assassination of the President in 2021. Then, most worryingly of all, there is now an almost complete breakdown of law and order across much of Port-au-Prince and other regions which have come under the control of gangs who are better armed than the police, and engage in sexual violence, extortion and kidnappings. Needless to say, this is making life desperately difficult and dangerous for everyone in Haiti.
On the other hand, I continue to receive regular updates of the incredible work of the Methodist Church in Haiti. The church faces all the same struggles as the rest of the nation and has very little in the way of financial resources, yet it continues on a dogged pilgrimage, proclaiming the love of Christ and doing all it can to help people in need. Methodists in Ireland, through Irish Methodist World Mission Partnership, have been pleased to partner with our sisters and brothers in Haiti and monies sent over the last two years have funded Local Preachers training seminars, Church Conferences, care of older people and community support by local congregations. What an incredible contrast to the chaos all around in Haiti. It is both encouraging and challenging to see the faith and perseverance of Methodists in Haiti as they continue to sow seeds of the Kingdom of God in the midst of a nation that seems to be falling apart. Just last week I was sent a video showing dozens of teenagers and young adults gathered for an overnight worship and teaching convention organised by the church in Haiti. To be honest I don't know how they do it, but they do!
I am reminded of the Apostle Paul’s words in 2 Corinthians 6:9-10 “…known, yet regarded as unknown; dying, and yet we live on; beaten, and yet not killed; sorrowful, yet always rejoicing; poor, yet making many rich; having nothing, and yet possessing everything.” We thank God for L’Eglise Methodiste D’Haiti while continuing to pray for them and for all of Haiti.
“A vendor selling yams passes a barricade set up by protestors in Port au Prince, Haiti.” (Credit: AP Photo/Odelyn Joseph)
A Prayer for Haiti
Father God, we pray for the brave and determined people of Haiti as their nation struggles. While most of the population lives on a shoestring we watch with amazement their dignity, determination and faith. We pray for stability, peace, health, justice and well-being.
As we pray for Haiti give us the courage to allow ourselves to be challenged by the faith in all circumstances which the Haitian people display. We pray also for the Methodist Church in Haiti and for all your people there as they seek to share your Good News; reaching out in word and action throughout the nation. Amen.