fifth world.

This evening, fielding some questions from the team about Haiti, they wanted to know what it is exactly that makes Haiti "fifth world."  We talked about the poverty, categorized by how many cars or tvs or computers you have per household, unemployment rate (one of the highest), average household income ($810/year).

We talked about Haiti still being in the world's top most politically corrupt countries (tied 12th with Chad).  Nineteenth most impoverished (7 of 10 people living on less than $2 a day).

Far more disturbing than all this, however, as we researched were painful reminders that being a fifth world country means "no hope of ever recovering", "very low potential," "very low standards," "bigger than a family but more culturally specific than humanity," "complete economic vulnerability," "total lack of stability" and "entire human resource weakness."

"So it means that Haiti just has no hope?" one girl asked.

Like most Haitians, I intimately see and am frustrated by Haiti's many faults, yet am incredibly quick to defend her.

Of COURSE Haiti has hope.

Which of course, we must define.

Do I truly believe that there is hope after all of these years that Haiti will "fully recover" or thrive politically or financially or not be dependent on any other country?  Enjoy stability?  Have high potential to contribute the things that matter to this world?

I don't know.  I guess not.  I can't imagine it.

But of course, I also would not be the crazy lady saying, therefore, that there is no hope, and then spending my years here.

One of the beautiful things Haiti has done to me is change the way my world sees.  My first world country eyes don't see the way they used to.  I believe their perspective, because of Haiti, has drawn closer to His.  He who doesn't see the way the world sees.

There is far too much hope in Haiti to say Haiti has no hope.  

There is too much potential in Haiti to say that Haiti has no potential.

There are FAR too many riches to say Haiti is impoverished.

Too much community to say there is no stability.

I don't care much at all any more what the world sees, or how it ranks Haiti.  

I care about what HE sees, what HE cares about, and just like your country of temporary residence, it's the people He wants as HIS people...and nothing else.  

There is NO hope for ANY country ANYwhere outside of the hope we have in Him.  No stability for any country anywhere outside of the stability of standing on the Rock.  No beauty, no potential, no answers, no peace, no justice.  

So what we see in the world today should come to no surprise.  

That's why we "do not preach ourselves but Jesus Christ as Lord, and ourselves as bond-servants for Jesus' sake.

For God, who said, "Light shall shine out of the darkness" is the One who has shone in our hearts to give the Light of the knowledge of the glory of God."  2 Corinthians 4

So thankful, on our first day of year 8 today in Haiti, that as He continues to shine in our hearts...Light continues to shine out of the darkness.  

Potential for hope?

Absolute.