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VIEWS OF A FARM BOY

MAY--2025

HAITI-2025

Light Within 0urselves: Haitian Art in Iowa is now a temporary exhibit (April 18-September 07, 2025) at the Des Moines Arts Center, See more below.

The largest collection 0f Haitian art in the world is right here in Iowa. It can be found at the Waterloo Center for Arts (WCA). But for now, you can see a small "sample"of this 2000 piece collection at the Des Moines Art Center. A lot of symbolism is depicted in some of these earlier works of art. Many Haitian people were caught up in the likes of Vodou, witch doctors, along with Damballah and mythical creatures. Many times these spiritual entities were inner-twined with Christian beliefs.

HAITI-2025: My first mission trip to the central plateau in Haiti was in 2005. I remember seeing many witch doctors (vodou) black flags waving in the air on homes in and around Pignon. Then throughout the following years many American short term mission teams showed up and most of them, like me, fell in love with the people and country of Haiti. Each of these teams did a lot of work projects to help meet the daily needs of these dear people.Yet, it goes way beyond that. They also did much more--they shared the word of the saving love of Jesus with these people. Then the full time Missions such as MH4H, PCMP and UCI (just to name a few) have truly been a gift of God. They have built schools and churches and have been very involved in medical and food for the hungry projects. As years went by I noticed fewer witch doctor flags and more Christian churches in and around town. But things have "gone south" in Haiti the past few years. Haiti still needs our resources and assistance and most of all our prayers. They are facing a government crises, gang warfare, hunger and disease. They need our help--but a word of caution. Make sure any contributions are to a reliable organization where they will go directly to the people in need.