a worrisome day

It is a worrisome day for Haiti.

When Matt and I moved here in 2007, the exchange rate was up to 35 from the 28 it had been when I'd worked in Haiti years before.  If a small sack of rice was 100 gourdes (simply, goods), it was about $2.85 USD.

It has climbed, little by little, and for the longest time I remember that giving someone 1000 gourdes was the same as giving them $20 when the rate was 50. In a country where almost everything is imported--between 75% and 90% of everything--how the gourdes works with the US dollar is key.

And while I don't understand all of why, the last several months the rate has been going up almost daily. Only a few months ago the rate was 65 gdes to one dollar, meaning that someone Emmaus paid 6,500 gdes a month was making $100 USD.

Today, the rate is 80, meaning that same person receiving 6,500 gdes is suddenly only making $80.

All our food is imported on the US dollar, all our fuel.  It's still being purchased in USD, but it's all being sold in gourdes that keep rising and rising and rising.

THAT is why the lines at gas stations, IF you can find one that has fuel, look like this. This is why everyone is groaning over food prices, and many are hungry. Hungrier.

Whatever money you did earn is now worth much less, and the ride to the market on the tap-tap is now more expensive to cover mounting fuel prices, and when you finally get there, the cost of everything you find is much higher...it means what you're taking home is much less.

It means schools and some businesses are closed again today. It means public transportation is not running. It means people are protesting and burning things and growing more urgent and anxious because lavi cher....life is expensive!...and it IS.

Problems have been persistently growing so much that on Tuesday, Haiti's president declared Haiti to be in a state of economic emergency...which everyone has been feeling long before Tuesday.

I don't understand what all the numbers and arguments behind fuel shortages, food price hikes, businesses shutting down and the gdes to dollar rate mean exactly.  But I DO understand that budgets were very tight, many people were very hungry, food and fuel were more expensive than most could afford...before.

What I do know is that a lot of people are struggling, hurting, unable to provide, and worried...more.
What I do know is that nothing stops or waits for someone to figure this thing out.
What I do know is that there are no simple, easy fixes right around the corner anyway.
What I do know is that a lot of people are afraid, of what is, of what might be, of what it all means.

What I do know is that the day is worrisome.  And then some.

And I know that there is a family of Christ-followers on this struggling island who have been told by a mighty God, over and over, not to worry.  And then some, too.

Do not be anxious, but in everything, by prayer...Philippians 4 reminds us again and again.

Use your hands for good hard work, and give generously to others in need, letting everything you say be good and helpful, so your words will be an encouragement to those who hear them...Ephesians 5.

Do not be afraid, we've been told, hundreds of times in His Word, fear's power fueled by what might be, by what we imagine could happen, not by Trust in our Father.

The day is allowed to be worrisome, and it will be. The future is allowed to be uncertain, and it will be. The storm is allowed to be ferocious, and it IS.

But those who know your name trust in you, Psalm 9:10 says simply, and so.

Whatever you're up against today, whatever we're up against, too...Let us make the choice to work hard, and give to others, and not worry with our speech. Let us make the choice to be strong and courageous, clearly identified as His own, with our dispositions. Let us make the choice to trust Him with the things that concern us, leading daily lives worthy of His calling, for each of us has been called.

Please join us.

Please pray in the Spirit at all times and on every occasion. Be alert and be persistent in your prayers for all believers, everywhere...Ephesians 6.