As we journey through these days of Advent, we are reminded that this is a season filled with hope and expectation—and that our road to the fullness of God’s Kingdom has mountains to climb and valleys to descend before we reach our destination.
In this season of preparation, we remember not only Christ’s coming, but also those who still wait for redemption in the midst of suffering—like our brothers and sisters in Haiti. The people of Haiti know well the twists and turns of an arduous journey as they travel a rugged road, trusting it will lead to a better future for themselves and generations to come.
In spite of the horror and difficulties confronting them each day, they continue to place their hope in God’s promise rather than yield to despair. For many, this is hard to understand—yet for people of faith, it is the only option. Fr. Roger Desir, a semi-retired Episcopal priest and former rector of the Episcopal Cathedral in Port-au-Prince, once was asked, “Do you see any hope for Haiti, given the present situation?”—a situation that has worsened over the years. His answer never changed: “Of course there is hope for Haiti! You cannot be a Christian and have no hope!”
Those words still ring true. The people of Haiti hang on to that hope—if only by a thread. Their faith allows for nothing less, even when it does not ease their fear and suffering.
Hope That Endures Amid HardshipThe past several years have been especially tumultuous. Insurrection, gang violence, kidnappings, stolen property, lack of government, drought, and flooding have ravaged the nation and broken the spirits of a hurting people. Yet hope lives on—as surely as it was born into the world on Christmas Day, as surely as it enlivened the hearts of Mary and the first followers of the Risen Lord. Although I would not have believed it possible, life continues to worsen for the people of Haiti. People who have lived with virtually nothing all of their lives now have even less. People who are used to being hungry now face starvation. Parents, once strong and proud, now find themselves embarrassed and broken, unable to send their children to school or provide even a daily meal—not to mention any medical care they may need—yet hope remains.
When Pope John Paul II spoke so forcefully during his historic visit to Haiti in 1983, proclaiming, “Things here must change!” he surely meant change for the better. No one could have imagined that the changes since then would only worsen the lives of those who call this land home. Positive change, however, remains possible—and the people of Haiti are dying daily to bring it about. They cannot do it alone—but their renewal must grow from within, nurtured rather than directed. Certainly, assistance is needed—but not domination. Aid, but not the kind with strings attached.
Faith in Action and Relationship
Much of this faithful support continues quietly. Not from governments or large agencies, whose aid has been reduced or ended, but from relationships built parish to parish and diocese to diocese. Many parishes in the Diocese of Norwich and across the United States maintain twinning relationships with parishes and institutions in Haiti—relationships that provide education, medical care, and daily necessities even in uncertain times. The Diocese of Norwich and other dioceses have also formed partnerships with sister dioceses in Haiti to offer scholarship programs, clinic support, and food assistance. Though more help is always needed, these efforts make tangible the compassion of the Church.
Scripture reminds us that God delights in all people. Therefore, we, too, must delight in one another—people of every race and nation. This does not mean we accept the inhuman conditions in which Haitians and so many others live. We should not. But we can share their hope for a better future and rejoice in who they are and in the faith we share.
Relationship is the key to all things. As the Father, Son, and Spirit remain united but distinct, so we are called to unity—accepting and respecting both our similarities and our differences. We are different, yet one. And so we are called to share one another’s sufferings. St. Paul goes so far as to say we should boast in them, for “suffering produces endurance, and endurance, proven character, and proven character, hope—and hope does not disappoint” (Romans 5:3–5).
Carrying the Light of Advent
As people of God, we always are called to be people of hope—and the people of Haiti embody this truth for us. St. Paul also reminds us, “Hope is not hope if its object is seen.” How the people of Haiti continue to survive at all, and where their strength comes from, would be impossible to imagine were it not for the faith that we share and the Gospel we proclaim.
We may not see an end in sight to the problems facing the Haitian people, but we can share their hope for a better future, stand with them in solidarity, and make their plight known to others who can help. Together, as members of this diocesan family, we are called to support our suffering sisters and brothers wherever they are—to walk with them and to work with them for sustainable justice and lasting peace.
The mission of our diocesan ministry in Haiti is expressed simply: “helping Haitians help Haitians.” May we keep this goal ever in mind. As Christmas quickly approaches, the people of Haiti—and so many in other lands—may not seem to have much to celebrate or many gifts to share, but they do share the great gift of faith that strengthens and sustains us all.
As we light the candles of Advent and draw nearer to Christmas, may the steadfast faith of the Haitian people remind us of the light that no darkness can overcome. Their hope, born of suffering, mirrors the hope we await in the Christ Child.
Please continue to pray for the people of Haiti and for an end to the violence, kidnappings, and needless deaths that occur each day, and for the formation of a caring, humanitarian government. If you would like to offer additional support to our diocesan Outreach to Haiti during this Jubilee Year of Hope—by aiding the clinic, supporting a child’s education, or donating to ongoing needs—please visit outreachtohaiti.org or scan the QR code.
As our diocesan Outreach to Haiti welcomes the next executive director of this important ministry, please keep Outreach to Haiti—all who are involved in it, and, most importantly, the people of Haiti—in your prayers during these Advent and Christmas days.
By Rev. Gerry Kirby
Father Gerry is a former chair of the board for the original Haitian Ministries for the Diocese of Norwich, former Personal Representative of the Bishop of Norwich to our Diocesan Mission to Haiti, Interim Director of Norwich Mission House, and currently serves as Pastor of All Saints Parish in Somersville and a member of the Search Committee for the next Executive Director of Outreach to Haiti.