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High in Haiti's southern mountains, as the sun leaves the sky, darkness abounds. There is no artificial light to blot out the stars. On this last week of January 2007, I'm sitting out on the roof of an orphanage in a small hollow far from civilization, even by Haitian standards. Three tiny family dwellings share the small valley with us. Each 5' x 8' home boasts one room, dirt floors, no windows, running water, electricity, candles, or toilets - no anything.

Outside each is a pig, two chickens a very thin dog and an outhouse. The dog's function is to warn of intruders in the darkness, 911 doesn't exist. A voodoo ceremony rings out far up the slope, trying to save someone from dying of water poisoning. There is no medicine or physicians only a 'manbo' with her herbs and chants.

We lodge fifteen orphans, ages eight through fourteen. They are singing their hearts out over the sound of a piano, singing memorized hymns of love to God with such joy and veracity, doubtlessly God hears their song at the far reaches of the universe.

I think: "these people have no connection to the "civilized" world. If things I consider "necessary" were to disappear tomorrow, these folks wouldn't know they were gone.

Daily life consists of seven children per woman (free birth control formerly kept the birth rate down but Bush and the religious right took over the U.S. government and stopped the program). Then there's the five-mile walk with a five gallon bucket on ones head, filled with bad water for the family to drink

(water projects to deliver clean water were cancelled when bush was elected. He gave the money to the IRI to destroy the elected government of Haiti, 133 million down the drain). Adults and children work for a dollar a day (President Aristide and the populist movement doubled wages to two dollars a "day" (Bush and his cadre of wealthy elites destroyed the movement to raise wages).

As the children sang, I realize how wrong I am: "what happens in my world DOES impact these people." I think "I've felt sorry for myself because I haven't had a hot shower in three days," - these folks NEVER get a hot shower. I've been complaining "I hate bottled water" - they NEVER drink safe water. I've been lamenting my coming 64th birthday - the little ones singing won't see their 40th birthday†. Americans complain about paying taxes for fire, police, and education - Haitians can't call an ambulance or a cop or get a teacher. Then the slammer: "my taxes dollars have destroyed these people and their country."

We Americans are the richest most pampered people on earth. For better or worse we are each other's keeper. Jesus' reminds: "unto those whom much is given, much is expected." Christians in America need to do MUCH more to ensure our government loves our neighbors, not kill them. Truth is everything we do affects the poor of Haiti; let's remember that - for God's Sake.

†Haiti has many orphanages because most adults die young leaving children behind.

Dr. Britt Minshall is the author of Ring of Angels, a book that covers the political and social climate in Haiti and Senior Pastor of the Cathedral Church of Saint Matthew, a United Church of Christ. He is also a former INTERPOL officer.

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