The arrest and detainment of ten Baptist missionaries in Haiti for attempting to transport thirty-three Haitian children to an orphanage in the Dominican Republic is generating a lot of waves in the media this week. I want to make a few observations...
* Their actions were rash and somewhat careless. There are disputing reports regarding whether or not they had paperwork which authorized, at least in their minds, the transfer of these children. Nevertheless, you cannot leave any stone left unturned when the guardianship of children is at stake. They were caught with children and did not have their legal "ducks in order." I read where the family members of one detainee are claiming that they did have paperwork, simply not enough. Since the earthquake, the Prime Minister's signature is now required for international adoptions, so they may have been unaware that the paperwork they possessed was obsolete.
* These are Southern Baptists who were attempting to save lives. Even the fiercest critics of these missionaries, those wanting them locked away for years, dare not deny that some of these thirty-three children would have starved had it not been for the intervention of this group. I can't help but wonder, if these very children had died of starvation, would the critics have been just as angry? Of course not.
* I wonder how many of those criticizing the missionaries have donated one red cent to help Haiti? Many are asking why they did not help orphans here instead of travelling to Haiti? While there is poverty in the United States and many children do without, to insinuate that the misery here can be compared with that of post-earthquake Haiti is completely disingenuous. We should be concerned with international needs, not just domestic ones. We should pity those who have so small a moral compass that they would even make such a criticism.
* The leader of this group, Laura Silsby, has no real legal representation. I say no "real" representation because her state appointed attorney has basically thrown her under the bus. What kind of chance do you have when your own lawyer is criticizing you in front of the international media? Every person deserves a defense. I believe that is a human right. It is time for Hillary Clinton to speak out on this point. She can do so without endorsing the actions of the missionaries.
* According to a friend of mine who just returned from Haiti last night, this has captured the attention of the Haitian people as well. The man on the street, according to my source, is very angry because they haven't even restored ambulance service yet and the government is devoting time and energy to prosecuting these missionaries. Meanwhile, Haitians are needlessly dying. The Haitian Prime Minister is more concerned about scoring political points (and probably a bribe from the United States government) than he is the welfare of his own people. This is the absolute height of corruption.
* It is clear that laws were broken and I would not suggest for one moment that any sovereign nation should suspend its laws just because the transgressors are Americans. But if the Haitian government even thinks about handing down the kind of sentences that are being proposed, they are going to regret it. For one, many will (unfortunately) use this as an excuse to withhold much needed support. (If you're think about that, please don't.) Second, God, the Righteous Judge, will ensure that everyone involved reaps what they have sown.
