A. Country of Origin – Haiti covers 10,714 square miles (27,750 square
kilometers) of the island of Hispaniola, which it shares with the Dominican
Republic. Just smaller than Maryland, Haiti is comprised of two peninsulas
split by the Gulf of Gonâve. The mountainous, nearly-barren island of Gonâve
rests in the center of the Gulf.
B. Language(s) – Haitian-Creole is the language of daily conversation.
French is used in government and business. Only educated adults or secondary
school students speak French. Haitian-Creole is a unique mixture of French and
African languages, though it is similar to the Creole spoken on some other
Caribbean islands, such as Guadeloupe and Martinique. Haitian-Creole is
traditionally an oral language, though it had a written form even in the
nineteenth century.
C. Religious Background – The majority (80 percent) of Haitians are
Catholic. Protestants claim 16 percent or more of the population, with
Baptists, Pentecostals, and the Seventh-day Adventist Church being the largest
denominations. Perhaps as important as organized religion is voodoo, which is
practiced to some degree by a majority of Catholics. A mixture of African
religion and Roman Catholicism, voodoo includes the playing of drums, the
sacrificing of chickens, and placing hexes on people. Though Catholic priests
oppose voodoo, it has incorporated the worship of Catholic saints and the use
of other Catholic rituals. Voodoo ceremonies and rituals, held in temples, are
usually performed at night. Not all voodoo adherents practice the religion
openly. Still, certain voodoo temples are the focus of annual pilgrimages. A
variety of superstitions are also associated with voodoo.
D. Southern Baptist Work – One of the fastest growing ethnic groups among
Southern Baptist churches in America are the Haitian churches. These churches
are found in most large cities along the Eastern coastline. These began with
refugees arriving from Haiti in the late 1950s. Haitian believers fled to the
Bahamas, Puerto Rico, Jamaica, South America, Canada, and the United States.
The majority of those who came to the United States settled in Brooklyn, New
York, which became the second major Haitian city in the world (more than
400,000 people). In 1965, a ministry was started in Brooklyn.
Twenty-three people attended the first service. Today, the First Haitian
Baptist Church of Brooklyn is a congregation of over 2,000, the largest
Southern Baptist church in New York City. Florida is the second fastest
developing area of Haitian Southern Baptist churches.
E. Subcultures – Haitians worship differently than Anglos--in
a charismatic, warm manner, often clapping hands. When in Christ, they
enjoy church activities and are very devoted to their churches; they love
the Lord and completely reject the practice of voodoo. They enjoy social
activities, banquets, fellowships, concerts, theater, sports, etc.
Approximately 10 percent are white collar, 20 percent are blue
collar, and the rest are construction, hotel, and restaurant workers. A
great percentage of the women are embracing the nursing assistant career. It is
to be noted that the second generation of Haitians is worshiping in English and
most are attending colleges and universities after their high school
graduation.
F. Past Challenges – Needless to say, the language of the race makes it
very difficult for them to settle. However, the community has learned to
appreciate and respect them for what they can offer. Today, they have very
little problems co-mingling with the rest of the community.
G. Past Immigration Patterns – Six hundred thousand Haitians [officially
90,000] have migrated to the United States looking for jobs and better
opportunities. After 1959, when Dr. Francois Duvalier (known as Papa
Doc) began his reform in Haiti, thousands of educated Haitians fled to the
United States. These professionals started in Brooklyn, New York, a community
that has now grown to 500,000 and spread into the adjoining states. It is the
largest Haitian community in America. Other Haitian communities can be found in
southern Florida (60,000), Boston (40,000), and Chicago (20,000). Sixty percent
arrived between 1980 and 1990.
The United States allows 20,000 Haitians to immigrate annually. The more
recent arrivals are seldom bilingual and speak only Creole, which is a patois
of French, African, Spanish, and English. Within the Haitian communities in
Miami, New Orleans, and New York City, voodoo is practiced as it is on the
island.
A. Population – This is difficult to pinpoint since there are so many
undocumented Haitians. However, it is estimated that there are over 1
million Haitians in the United States and Canada.
B. Present Immigration Patterns – Some receive their permanent resident
status through sponsorship and political asylum. As soon as they meet the INS
criteria, they apply for their US citizenship. There are still many coming with
visitor's visas, as well as illegally.
C. Evangelism – There are a number of Haitian churches. The
average Haitian church may have 50 members, meet in a storefront building,
and pastored by a Haitian who also maintains a secular job. If the pastor
has any Bible training, it was received in Haiti. There are too few Haitian
churches to reach the community. In Boston, there are now 24 Haitian churches,
with the first being established in 1969. Some 3,000 Haitians, out of 40,000,
attend 42 Haitian churches [1990] in Masssachusetts, Rhode Island, and New
Hampshire. The American Haitian churches do have a burden to evangelize their
own people, but only 20 percent of the congregations own their own church
building. Many satellite groups have been started by Haitian Christians. The
Bible is now available in Creole. One problem the Creole speaking churches face
is how to minister to the children who are being taught English. Some mission
societies, with primary ministries overseas, are now working with ethnics here
at home. Worldteam, for example, has spearheaded a "partnership plan" in Miami
among Haitians. The mission is working together with the Association of
Churches in Haiti and a small Haitian congregation in Miami to reach the
estimated 30,000 Haitians in the Miami area. In September 1995, an estimated
3,000 attended the first international convention of Haitian Evangelicals in
Brooklyn. Plans are being made to broadcast the Radio Lumieres signal to
Haitians living in New York City. A greater concern needs to be manifested for
Haitian Americans by our evangelical churches.
D. Church Planting – The exodus from Haiti continues. Over 250 Haitian
churches minister to the growing community. There is still a great need
for more churches in the growing Haitian communities in North
America.
E. Family Life
Education
– Haiti's school system is patterned after the French model, with kindergarten,
primary school (six years), and secondary school (seven years).
Occupation
– Haitians are warm, friendly, and generous. Their tradition for hospitality is
clear in how they treat guests and go out of their way to help
strangers. Haitians are proud of their culture and history. The
stories of past Haitian heroes are not forgotten by today's youth. Some claim
this is because the present offers no heroes, but others believe the past gives
hope for the future. Everyday life is hard for most Haitians, so parents strive
to send their children to school, trusting that an education will give the next
generation a better life.