For 40 years I have been involved with Haiti and its wonderful people who have tried their best to overcome burdens placed on them by foreign governments and their own dictators. Some have been lucky enough to escape the hardship and violence
I am saddened and angry that Haitian people are vilified by leaders of our own nation.
Certainly, the immigration system needs reforming but what is not needed are racist innuendos, rumors, and lies. The Haitian people are our neighbors, friends, brothers, and sisters in faith. How can we treat them so badly? Christian leaders need to speak out against those who would speak racist tropes against our friends. In what scenario would Jesus ever side with racism of such magnitude? Below is the impact of such vitriol on the Springfield Community.
“Their community is reeling — confused, frustrated, hurt — from false accusations that they are eating their neighbor’s cats and dogs. The now viral and highly politicized rumors are being fueled by former President Donald Trump, his running mate JD Vance, and others, and violent threats against the community are upending daily life in their city.
“Jesus is with us in truth, and the truth is that Haitians are not eating pets and geese in Springfield,” said the Rev. Carl Ruby, preaching at Central Christian Church. He invited community members to join his congregation in prayer and peaceful protest of the false rumors leveled against their Haitian neighbors.” -Associated Press Release.
Our leaders are turning us against each other in the name of political expediency.
Why are so many Haitian people coming to Springfield, Ohio? Not long ago the population was dwindling until some companies moved into the area. There was a workforce shortage and word was passed on to Haitians in various communities in the U.S. They came here to work and worship within the communities. And more money is being given to Springfield to help with any effects of a population increase.
Here’s what one pastor said, “We are united. It is time for good to stand for good,” she said. “This time the city of Springfield, Haitian people, asked the Lord to stay together to fight for good … America is a great loving country, and American people care for people – it doesn’t matter if they are Haitian. We’re against lies.”
My wife and I have supported a young woman in Port-au-Prince Haiti who is training to be a nurse. We have helped her apply for a visa to come here because every day she lives in fear of violence. Now she has reason to fear that our country won’t accept her. Please don’t let our country be such a place.
I am saddened to live in such a good nation where lies and racism are endangering people who have come here looking for a better, safer life. So please stand up for those who have been mistreated by unjust people.
Please, dear God, forgive me and us for the attitudes that have driven our nation to such a divide.
Ways to help:
- Contact your state representatives on behalf of the Haitian people.
- Contact churches in Springfield to show your support.
- Fly a Haitian flag at your house
- Pray for God’s peace in our country
- Contact local churches near you that support Haiti missions.
- Send this blog to others
- Express your support through comments on the blog
- Yes, support better immigration policies
- Go online to look for ways to help Haitian immigrants
- Read comments from Ohio governor https://abcnews.go.com/Politics/gop-gov-dewine-defends-haitian-immigrants-springfield-work/story?id=113690058
- Get to know Haitian neighbors
Grace Matters 
Thank you for posting this, George. My church, Clifton Lutheran, supports the work of Mission of Hope International (MOHI) and I am volunteering at the Fall Fest in support of MOHI. One of the reasons I joined this church is their support of Haiti reminded me so much of the support Mattituck Presbyterian Church gave to the people of Haiti. Prayers for God’s peace.
Barbara Dillingham
We need to help support our Haitian Immigrants.
AMEN!!
Thank you George for this blog and your insight in this matter. It was your inspiration that I travel to Haiti to get to know what your former Church, Mattituck Presbyterian was doing to help (what I now call my friends) in Haiti. It changed my life and my perspective of life and people. I met Jesus in Haiti. To see the poverty first hand and contrast that with what I (we) have here in America was an eye opener. How could people live like that, was my thought. The reality of that is that they just have no choice. We have choices here in America, we can work, we can lift our selfs up by our bootstraps and change our circumstances, the Haitians cannot. It’s been 5 or 6 years since I traveled to Haiti due to the unrest and I think the last time I did it was with you for a good friends funeral, Isnel. Isnel was a mover and a shaker. If you wanted something done you asked Isnel and he help MPC’s Haiti Team move to build two Churches and help countless Haitians (children & adults) over a 30 year period. He was the most loving person and his smile was the best smile I had ever seen. Isnel’s smile was one of many smiles I discovered in the small village called Anse-à-Galets on the island of La Gonave in Haiti. This is where we usually went to be with our friends and work along side them. As you walked down the unpaved streets and glanced over to someone walking by and said Bonjour! You would experience a warm Bonjour! back with a big smile that accompanied that sentiment. I also met a man named Joel, he and his family struggled as most of the people I met there did. Joel took advantage of the humanitarian parole program and another friend sponsored him to come to the US. It’s been almost a year and a half since he’s been here and I have got to know him very well. Everywhere we go people just fall in love with Joel. Joel’s struggles are many, but he persists with a big smile and thanks Jesus for everything and I mean everything. I take inspiration from Joel, his attitude, his strength and mostly his friendship. I have been blessed in so many ways from getting to know Joel and all my Haitian friends it would be hard to describe it in just this comment. Sorry George, this is not a quote from the Bible, but one that I have heard over the years:
“To really understand someone, you need to walk a mile in their shoes.”
It’s time for us to Smile! 🙂
Rory
Rory, your lie and words are an inspiration to me and many others. You truly are the light of the world as Jesus calls us to be. I’ll never forget the good times we shared in Haiti and on L.I.
Thanks. I’m sure those words are biblical.
Yes!
I’ll add a #12- VOTE on November 5!
George, I always have admired the faithful and generous way you served people in Haiti–and that ministry continues even though you no longer travel there. Thank you for your insightful words, wise reminders, call to action, and plea for prayer. This whole situation is sad beyond belief. Jesus is weeping…