Haitian Brethren leader shares hope for recent elections.

By Jeff Boshart

Pastor Ludovic St. Fleur of L'Eglise des Freres Haitiens (Haitian Church of the Brethren) in Miami, Fla., is cautiously hopeful that recent elections in Haiti will bring more peace and stability to the Caribbean nation.

In the Port au Prince neighborhood where a church founded by St. Fleur and members of his congregation is located, the crime rate is extremely high. In fact, said St. Fleur, he has not visited the church himself since May of 2005 due to the threat of being kidnaped. Most of his communication with members of the congregation in Port au Prince has been by telephone, and he has learned that some of the members have fled the city and returned to live with family in the rural countryside.

Although former president Rene Preval was re-elected by a large majority of the population in elections on Feb. 7, it is believed by St. Fleur that among Preval's supporters are many of the same people responsible for kidnapings over the past few years. President Preval is a close ally of former President Jean Bertrand Aristide, who is currently in exile in South Africa. Some in Haiti fear that Preval will invite Aristide's return to the country. Such an act could once again spark violence in Haiti.

St. Fleur is quick to say that he and his congregation are not aligned with any particular political party, and they are pleased that the elections were peaceful. Haiti still faces significant challenges such as electing a parliament and dealing with a powerful criminal element.

"We all are watching," said St. Fleur, "and praying for peace."

–Pastor Ludovic St. Fleur shared these comments in an interview with Jeff Boshart, who was recently named director of the General Board's new Sudan initiative.

Source: 3/1/2006 Newsline
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