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| The Banana Man (the slogan that presidential candidate Jovnel Moise uses for himself) will have his day in the court of public opinion this weekend in Haiti. |
While the United States has been consumed by the events surrounding the election of Trump and Pence, Haiti faces its own day of reckoning on Sunday, November 20. It is difficult to overestimate the importance of November 20 for the country. Nearly six years has passed since the last successful election in Haiti. As I write this blogpost, Haiti is actually without a constitutionally-approved executive branch and legislature. The current Interim President's mandate expired in June, 2016 and Haiti's Senate cannot officially make quorum. Right now all expectations are that the first round of presidential elections will actually take place this Sunday. Unfortunately, one-quarter of the country is reeling from the savage blow inflicted by Hurricane Matthew. In order for the vote to take place in these areas, thousands of displaced persons sheltering in the voting centers (generally large schools) must be relocated to other shelters. Even more worrying is the understandable lack of interest by the Haitian electorate who have witnessed elections cancelled at least six times and completely overturned once by the Election Commission in the last two years. Please pray that somehow, someway, fair elections can be held throughout the country which will be accepted by Haitian society. If not, then the current crippling political instability will only become worse. On a personal note, we are receiving a visit from the Zuiderveen family (our new missionaries) this weekend. The trip was planned long before Sunday was declared an election day. Pray that the Zuiderveen family would have a good introduction to Haiti and remain excited about serving here. Thanks.
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