A Letter from David Diggs

March 25, 2004

Dear friend,

Barely three weeks have passed since Aristide left Haiti, foreign soldiers returned, and a new government was installed. Despite these dramatic developments, Haiti has already slipped back out of the headlines.

The events that led to Haiti’s latest appearance in the news probably confirmed the view many people have, that Haiti is a hopeless place, and not much can be done to help.

This is sad because, to a large degree, this view has been self-fulfilling. By having so little hope for Haiti, we invest little and risk little to make a difference there.

The news reports give us only a small part of the picture in Haiti. The really beautiful things, the hopeful things, aren't considered news-worthy. Without minimizing the grave difficulties there, I want to share some of what gives me hope for Haiti.

We have often written about the polarization of Haitian politics and the huge economic disparities in Haiti. Many of Haiti’s difficulties can be traced to an uncompromising, winner-take-all tradition of leadership.

So, it is very encouraging to see how enthusiastically the young Haitian leaders we’re working with have embraced a different model of leadership, a model that some have called “servant leadership.” Servant leadership is based on Jesus' teaching that in God’s kingdom everything is upside down--that to be great you must become a servant. Leadership is not an opportunity for self-promotion but an opportunity for service, especially service to the least.

We promote servant leadership through our relationship with the Experiment in Alternative Leadership and other leadership development and teacher training initiatives. Through these efforts we are seeing the emergence of leaders who value tolerance, cooperation, listening, humility, accountability, and respectful dialog.

These servant leaders are in turn promoting servant leadership among other leaders. For example, one group we are working with is organizing an Open Space conference next week with the theme: “Peace, Unity, and Reconciliation.” Participants will not just reflect on this timely theme but will be exposed to a new way of leading based on participation and sharing rather than domination and control.

Of course, CNN won't be sending a correspondent to report on this conference. Events like these are quiet and lack the drama of armed uprisings. But it is this quiet revolution in leadership that gives me hope for Haiti.

Beyond Borders is planting and tending the seeds of new leadership in Haiti. We ask that you help us fan the fire of hope and join us in supporting these who are building God’s kingdom from the ground up. Here are three things you can do to make a difference.

Pray for Haiti. Pray for justice and reconciliation in Haiti and that the seeds of servant leadership will continue to grow.

Get informed, involved, and speak out. The current crisis is complex, and understanding how to help make a difference takes a commitment to learning and questioning. Go to our links to news and analysis to learn more about the situation facing Haiti. You can voice your questions and thoughts in a new space we've added on our discussion forum about the political situation in Haiti. Finally we have just added an action alert system to our Web site that will allow you to sign up to be notified of opportunities to take action and speak out on behalf of justice for Haiti.

Give all you can: These seeds of hope must be watered and tended. It is work that requires patience, commitment, and financial support. Our spring newsletter, which went to press before recent events unfolded, speaks to Beyond Borders’ patience and commitment.

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Please, stay with us and consider making a special gift now! At the end of February we were about 20% behind budget for funds we need for our work this fiscal year. This represents about $55,000. Please help us fill this gap so we can continue nurturing hope in Haiti.

Together we must heed the Apostle Paul’s words to “not grow weary of doing good, for in due season we will reap, if we do not give up.” (Gal. 6:9)

Thank you in advance for helping keep hope for Haiti alive,

David Diggs
Co-director

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