the cemetery

inside the cemetery

One of the final days in Haiti was spent in a much darker and less encouraging area of Port-au-Prince; the cemetery. 

The cemetery in and of itself is a very daunting place. Not only are there dead bodies buried in the above-ground crypts, but the earthquake disturbed many of the graves, exposing the coffins and bones of those already buried. The cemetery is also the heart of voodoo practice in the city. Needless to say, a frightening place has been made that much more frightening.

This particular cemetery is huge. So big, in fact, we had to have "tour guides" of sorts. It is one of the only public places in the city that is heavily guarded. Haitians are required to pay to get inside, whether it is for a visit, voodoo rituals, or just for a sheltered place to sleep. Unfortunately, there are many women who are so desperate for a "safe" place to spend the night, they will sell their bodies to the men guarding the cemetery in order to sleep inside the secure walls.

It is sad enough that these women are desperate enough to sleep in a CEMETERY, but to be sexually exploited in order to be "safe" for a night is absolutely heart breaking. 

jimmy with some of the cemetery women

Before Jimmy found the boys and turned his life around, he too lived in the cemetery. He knows the people who live there, the pathways. It was strange, he seemed strangely comfortable there, I guess because at one time it was his home. I felt safe walking around the cemetery with Jimmy, because everyone there knows and respects him. Although, sometimes Jimmy would hide behind crypts, jump out, grab us, and scream as we walked by. Such a practical joker. I would just yell at him and punch him in the arm. He loved it.

Walking around any cemetery feels eerie, but because of the voodoo rituals that are performed, as soon as we walked through the gates I instantly felt a tightness in my chest. My hands shook the entire time we were there, and my lungs couldn't quite breathe full breaths. I found myself saying silent prayers in my head as I took pictures of certain crypts where voodoo practices are carried out. Almost as if I needed to remind myself "God, You are here. You are stronger than this. You have overcome the world. You are still in this place. Calm my anxious heart. You are still here."

this particular crypt is full of water. people come here to bathe, wash clothes, and perform voodoo spells. (they will mix "potions" in here, one eye, one goat heart, etc.)

people believe that a voodoo serpent lives under this crypt. Once again, spells are cast into these waters.

this man was practicing voodoo the entire time we were in the cemetery. here, he is holding burning incense, taking a swig of alcohol, then pouring it over the cross.

yes. that is a human skull. with hair.

paintings on the walls show voodoo practices. Here is yet another place rituals are performed.

Although it was very unsettling to watch voodoo being carried out, it led to some interesting conversations with Jimmy, our bodyguards, and translators. These are the people who we love and now hold dearly to our hearts. It was so comforting to hear their thoughts about the voodoo rituals that are so prevalent in Haiti. "No, this is crazy. I grew up in the church." was their overall response. It made saying goodbye a little easier, knowing where their hearts are and feeling confident that I will see them again one day; maybe not in Haiti, but definitely in heaven.

Located in the very back of the cemetery is a small courtyard in remembrance of the earthquake. It is not very elaborate, but it is so heart breakingly beautiful. All four cement walls contain imprints of names; people, and places that were all destroyed on that day. The entryway marks the date and exact time of the disaster. 

the Haitian flag waves over the courtyard

the mural paints a picture of the earthquake: the greediness of the government, the UN coming in to help, the destruction and brokenness. The angel is made up of found objects from the streets, and represents those lost.

this is a picture of the dead that were piled in the streets.

Even though much of Haiti has been destroyed and not put back together, there are glimpses of the beauty remaining. Every now and then, you can see what God had in mind when creating Haiti; mostly this beauty is found in the people.

disrupted coffins

overgrown crypts

skulls, skulls, everywhere skulls

goats / garbage piles up in every corner of the cemetery

This man asked me to take his picture, and made sure his identification papers were seen.

every "river" contains more garbage than actual water

I am so thankful that I decided to take this extra trip to the cemetery. It was by far one of the most difficult parts of the week. This is where I saw the most oppression, greed, brokenness, and hopelessness in all of Port-au-Prince. However, I know that our God is good. And even though we can feel the presence of spiritual darkness all around, I know that our God is greater, and He has overcome the world! Praise the Lord, we do not have to be afraid!