Caitlin writes with an update on the current situation in Haiti:

Unknown. That’s the word of the last week and the foreseeable future.

Maybe you know, maybe you don’t, but Haiti is in the midst of political unrest and economic crisis. 

For the last eight days citizens of Haiti have taken to the streets in protest for a number of issues – the depreciation of the local currency, missing money for fuel, lack of city power, fuel shortages and the list goes on. These protests have been widespread. Areas like Gonaives, that are normally quiet, have been active this time. Rocks and barricades, burning tires, and, yelling citizens have filled the streets. Schools have been canceled, markets and businesses are closed, some people have been stuck inside for the last eight days. Some cities are running low on supplies like filtered water because trucks can’t make it down the road. 

Is there any end in sight? I don’t really have an answer for that. It’s complicated. It’s unknown. 

Many of you have asked if I’m okay. I am. Last week was a struggle. Familiar stress and emotions entered my heart. This is exactly what happened last July. So many things are unknown. It can be crippling. It can be scary. I’ve spent a lot of time in tears and prayers for this country. This place that I’ve come to call home. This place where I fell in love. This place where I’ve been building a life for the last two and a half years. My heart hurts. It aches. 

Some across the country have made the decision to leave for safety of their children. Other organizations have asked their American staff to leave. 
I’m thankful that I’m not faced with that decision, because it’s not one I could easily make. I’ve never once feared for my physical safety. Gonaives has been calm for the last few days and we hope it will remain that way. We’re prepared for the effects yet to come. We’ve stocked what we can and are monitoring closely situations throughout town and the country.

You might ask, “Why is this the way that people have chosen to react?” That’s a complicated answer too. It’s a lot of things. This is how people know to be heard. “Manifestations” are they way people show their discontent in everyday life. Change is hard. Because this is what they’ve always known, it’s hard to consider options that we might see as logical. Haitians are sitting in the same unknown as the visitors in this land. They don’t know how long this will last. They don’t know what the answer is. 

While we may not know, God does. He knows how all of this plays out. He’s holding Haiti safely in His hands. He’s crying and pleading for resolution right along with us. Last week might have been filled with struggle, but this week is filled with peace. 

“You keep him in perfect peace whose mind is stayed on You, because he trusts in You.” Isaiah 26:3

While there might be no easy and clear end in sight, we know who’s got us. Keep praying friends.