Update: Haitian President, Jovenel Moise, Assassinated
I sent an email a couple of days ago and we posted on Facebook about the assassination of President Jovenel Moise. The past 3 years in Haiti have been extremely difficult. Manifestations and riots have become the norm, poverty is as bad as it has ever been, and our kids have missed almost 2 entire years of school. This past week, an elected president was killed in his own home and in his own bed.
Some of you have probably been worried about us, but we were actually on vacation at the beach when the assassination happened. The kids and employees of All Things New have sheltered at home and are doing fine especially since they are outside of Port Au Prince. Please continue to pray as the consequences of the situation begin to unfold.
Also please pray for Jovenel Moise's family and especially his wife who was injured during the attack and is at a hospital in America recovering.
You can use google to find out more specific information on what actually happened, but what we are most concerned about right now is what happens next in Haiti.
In general, there are 2 people who would have a direct claim to the Presidency in Haiti when a President does not last his term. The President of the Supreme Court and the Prime Minister. About 1 month ago, the President of the Supreme Court died of Covid and has not yet been replaced. In the past 4 years, Jovenel had gone through 6 Prime Ministers, and his most recent choice was made yesterday and has yet to be ratified.
In addition to all of those issues, there are only 10 elected politicians in the entire country right now. Jovenel had been ruling by decree for over a year after disbanding the country's Senate and Deputies because elections did not take place.
In this Leadership Vacuum, Claude Joseph, the acting Prime Minister, has taken control of the country. He was also not ratified by Parliament because it has been disbanded for so long. He resigned as Prime Minister and Ariel Henry was chosen on July 5 to be his replacement. However, since he never officially took office, Joseph is remaining in power.
All of that to say that things are in a major state of flux. The country is in mourning. Haiti was already broken, and this is not a step in the right direction. In the short term, I have no idea what will happen and who will step into power. There are elections scheduled in the Fall, but who knows if they will even happen.
Please pray for the country and that things would be settled quickly and fairly. Pray that things will get back to normal quickly and that the killers will be brought to justice quickly.
Pray for our kids. Imagine seeing your country in shambles and finding out your President had been killed inside his own home. The uncertainty they were already feeling multiplied by a sense of insecurity and anarchy that they should not have to think about. Pray for our employees as well.
Jess and I would love to be there with our kids and making sure they are alright, but we cannot be right now. Pray that we will be able to get there soon and assess what is happening and how we need to move forward. Thank you for always being there for us and praying for our ministry, we need it more than ever now!