Unlimited opportunity with no possibilities

 

“A seemingly absurd or self-contradictory statement or proposition that may in fact be true; a person or thing that combines contradictory features or qualities.” That’s how a dictionary defines the word “paradox.”

To say, for instance, that Haiti, the poorest nation in the western hemisphere, is a country full of unlimited opportunity with no possibilities is a paradox. How can there be opportunity but no possibility? The ideas seem mutually exclusive. It appears absurd to even use them together. But the statement that Haiti is a land of unlimited opportunity and no possibility is true. Sadly, heart-breakingly, true.

Haitian children begin school at the age of 3. There are schools in most towns and villages, though some students must walk several hours to the nearest school each day. There are schools in Haiti. There is opportunity. But for many, many, for far too many Haitian children, there is no possibility despite the opportunity.

Most schools at the primary level, pre-kindergarten to sixth grade, are private schools. They all have four basic requirements. Each student must provide their own books, their own supplies, their own school uniform, and most significantly, their own tuition.

Tuition pays teachers. It doesn’t pay building maintenance or for desks or chalkboards. Tuition keeps teachers’ families alive. Unfortunately, many Haitian parents face a crucial decision in keeping their own families alive: feed the children or send them to school.

In up-country Haiti, the average annual income can be less than $50 U.S. a year. School tuition is rarely below $25 per student and more often in the $80 to $125 range, per student. Food costs are similar to what we pay here in Grand Marais. Parents who often cannot feed their children can’t send them to school. One hears repeatedly, “There is no possibility.”

Having to choose between survival and education, survival wins. Many Haitian children do not go to school or only go when parents can afford to send them. Recently, I had the opportunity to meet an amazing, bright, creative, motivated 16-year-old. He was in the fourth grade. He went to school when he could. His plea? “Can you help me go to school?”

Once he finishes sixth grade, there is a public secondary school two hours away he can attend for only $10 a year. But he has to get the next two years of $129 a year tuition secured first. He will likely be one of many 20-year-olds in the ninth grade. There is opportunity, but will there be possibility?

There are two reasons I’m shamelessly and unapologetically bringing Haiti to your attention. First, you have an opportunity to enter into a relationship with your Creator that is personal, fulfilling, loving, and meaningful. God makes this possible through the death of Jesus Christ, His Son, in your place, on the cross. There is no fantasy here, just real opportunity and real possibility. God makes it possible to live in peace with Him and with one another. Faith in Jesus is the opportunity.

The second reason I’m writing about Haiti is because you have an opportunity as well, an opportunity to make a new and better life possible for Haitian students and their families. For just $129 a year you can sponsor a student in the village of Boukerone, Haiti. You can contact me via the Cook County News-Herald for details, if this interests you.

We live in a land of opportunity supported by vast possibilities. Let me encourage you to make the most of them, especially the ones God provides for knowing and loving Him.

Each week a member of the Cook County Ministerium will offer Spiritual Reflections. This week our contributor of The Good News is Pastor Dale McIntire who has served as pastor of the Cornerstone Community Church in Grand Marais since April 1995.