Facts About Haiti

As you may know, in 2012, I was asked to travel with a missionary team to Haiti. The Lighthouse Foundation, led by Gary Caveness, out of Corinth, Ms, had been traveling to Haiti, building amazing relationships with the purpose of spreading the Gospel, building and teaching sustainable living for the locals in Banana and Anse-à-Pitres, Haiti.

Before I tell you about my journey, here are some facts most people don't know about Haiti but will help you understand, more clearly. its history and why Haiti is who she is today.

Christopher Columbus arrived on Hispaniola island, in the Americas sometime around 1492. Columbus supposed that his fleet had landed on one of the many islands that Marco Polo had reported lay just off the coast of Asia. They must have reached the Indies, he thought—islands reputedly near India and known today as the East Indies. So he decided that those people on the beach must be "Indians," the name by which they have been known ever since. China and Japan, he believed, lay a bit farther to the north.

There were 10's of thousands of native "Indians", on this island. and upon arrival, the sailors carried endemic Eurasian infectious diseases to which the native peoples lacked immunity, causing them to die in great numbers in epidemics. The first recorded smallpox epidemic in the Americas erupted on Hispaniola in 1507. Their numbers were further reduced by the harshness of the encomienda system, in which the Spanish forced natives to work in gold mines and plantations.

Christopher Columbus arrival to the New World in 1492

The hard practice of slavery was devastating to the native Tainos' population. With near decimation from forced labor, disease and war, the Spanish, under advisement of the Catholic priest Bartolomeu de las Casas and with the blessing of the Catholic church, began engaging in earnest kidnap and forced labor of African slaves,

In 1789 the French were importing 30,000 African slaves a year and there were half a million slaves in the French part of the island, Hispaniola, compared to about 30,000 French.

In the late 1700s, ex-slave François-Dominique Toussaint L’Ouverture led the first successful slave revolt, in Haiti, making it the only country in the world to be established by a successful slave rebellion against Napoleon and his French army. Haitian hero, Toussaint l’Overture, led the only, victorious slave revolution which led to the sovereign nation of Haiti which began in 1804. This was a powerful blow to the institution of slavery. It shook Western notions of white superiority.

François-Dominique Toussaint L’Ouverture led the first successful slave revolt, in Haiti

Toussaint L’Ouverture, died on April 7, 1803 but the Haitian Revolution continued under his lieutenant, Jean-Jacques Dessalines and In 1804, Haiti defeated the French and became the first black republic in the world.

Jean-Jacques Dessalines

Despite Haiti's victory, France and the Western world, refused to recognize the newly independent country's sovereignty until 1825, in exchange for 150 million gold francs. This fee, demanded as retribution for the "lost property,"—slaves, land, equipment etc.—of the former colonialists, was later reduced to 90 million. Haiti agreed to pay the price to lift a crippling embargo imposed by France, Britain, and the United States— but to do so, the Haitian government had to take out high interest loans. The debt was not repaid in full until 1947. This is the modern equivalent of $21 billion dollars.

Haiti's reparation to France was equivalent to $21 billion dollars

The transfer of wealth from Haiti to the French government and from Haiti to the various banks that financed the Independence Debt is well established. Detailed claims, submitted by former slave owners for compensation, including the monetary value of the "lost" slaves, and which formed the basis for the French government's demands have been documented

.Reparations to France and former slave owners

Toussaint Louverture and the Haitian Revolution inspired millions of free and enslaved people of African descent to seek freedom and equality throughout the Atlantic world. Toussaint Louverture is celebrated, til this day, as one of the greatest Haitians hero's of his time.

Haiti Commemorates Toussaint L'Ouverture

Despite Haiti's documented economic hardships, it is one of the most fascinating and misunderstood countries in the Western Hemisphere. Here are some pictures of Haiti and its wonderful people and culture.

Presidential Palace, Port au Prince, Haiti

Beaches in Haiti

Ocean in Haiti

Celebrating Haiti Independence

Celebrating Haiti's Independence

Me in Banano Haiti

Hanging with kids in Anse-à-Pitres, Haiti

My Wife loves Plantain

Popular dish in Haiti. "Fritay"

Food In Haiti

This is my wife's country and where she became the woman of God she is today. Haiti is a beautiful place with beautiful, strong and a resilient people. Annually, we are looking forward to going back to Haiti to support the people with essential needs and continued spread of the Gospel.

Our family covet your prayers:

• Pray for our marriage that we continue to grow and support each other.

• Pray that we be the best father and mother to our kids

• Pray for our kids that they continue to grow strong and healthy

• We are expecting a baby girl sometime this month

• Pray that we reach our goal to be fully, financially supported.

• We currently are looking to move to another place. Immediate prayers are coveted
  

Would you pray about supporting me as your urban missionary? Please, send all donations at the address below or go to our FORGE website by clicking on the Williams Support button at the top of this page.

We love you and thank You for partnering with us! 😊

The Forge For Families 3435 Dixie Dr Houston, Tx 77021