Work has started
again in the Le Roux housing project where we built earthquake relief housing.
We have started building a fence around the housing project to help with
security and to protect their gardens from the herds of goats and sheep that
migrate through their land. After we started erecting the fence, one of the
neighbors that was using the land for vehicle access to his property was upset
and filed a case with the court to have the work stopped. The village was first
given a an unsigned court order so they decided to ignore it and continue
working. The next day the village was given a signed court order.
Because
we want to support the village and want the work to continue, it was decided
that Wismith and I would go to court with them. Another interesting Haitian
experience.
The
court order was for 11:00 on Monday. We showed up with about 20 other folks from
the village. We were not let into the courtroom until 12:00, but still the
judge hadn't showed up yet. During the next hour while we waited, they did have
one small case that was held before a couple of men, not sure who they were,
but they must have the authority with small cases. I didn’t understand all of
it, but it was some dispute between two men that worked together and a hammer.
After about 30 minutes of shouting between the lawyers, some kind of judgment
was passed that amounted to 40 Haitian dollars or about the equivalent of $5 US. Wonder what the lawyers cut out of that
wasJ
At 1:15 we were told
that the judge had arrived and we were going to meet in his office. So, we all
crammed into his office and he took one look at me and asked if I spoke Creole.
I told him only a little, so he explained to me in English that we was just a
judge and was not taking either side, but was there only to ensure that justice
was properly balanced. I guess he wanted to make sure I understood what going
on. He then made an interesting comment. He said that I should be scared; I
guess he thought I was going to be a little concerned with the process. Maybe
he knows how things proceed in the states.
Then the case started. He asked a couple of
questions and the shouting match began. I didn’t see a whole lot of order, but
was pretty humored. It was an argument between the man that donated the land to
the village and the lawyer of the disgruntled neighbor. Again, I didn’t
understand what all was being said, but it did appear that our side was in
control of the argument. After about 15 minutes of this, the judge started
pounding on his desk to start wrapping things up which took about another 5 minutes
of shouting. The judge said he couldn’t decide which side to support so threw
out the case and told them if they wanted to continue they must take it to a
higher court.
So, a whole day wasted with nothing
accomplished.
Praise the Lord, there is a judgment day coming
when true justice will be served.
