Haiti-Land of Giants

In the tongue of the Taino Indians who once inhabited Haiti, they called their beautiful island "Ayiti" the land of mountains. A visit there will reveal the name is fitting and the island is now pronounced Haiti.
The people of modern Haiti have an incredible history and legacy that more people need to know about. Once called Santo Dominque the French turned this once lush, green island into the richest colony in the world. Renowned for its sugar and coffee and some of the best tasting fruit in the world.
But, it was built on the backs of slaves from Africa. Almost unimaginable horrors where inflicted upon the people captured, stolen, and shipped from Africa. Countless numbers of them died in horrible conditions while being shipped across the Atlantic, some hurled themselves into the harbor when they arrived, rather than live one second longer in chains. And many perished from their mistreatment in a matter of just a few years, only to be quickly replaced by another African who was just looked upon as a soul less commodity.
Finally and with great cause, the slaves revolted. Paying a huge price they defeated all comers, plantation militas, British invaders, Polish mercenaries, and the French themselves. Burning cities and plantations, clinging to the mountains, enduring all hardships and losing hundreds of thousands of people. But as the incredible General Toussiant said- "Come people let us fight those who would put us back in chains, better to die so that our brethern live free!" and despite stunning victories he was deceived and captured and shipped off to France to die a slow and miserable death in a cold stone tower.
But the Haitians faced the giants and clung to the hope of freedom and won their independence to break the Giant called slavery!
Haitians fought not just for their freedom but served with Washington agains the British at Savannah in our revolution and they fought with Bolivar in the wars of independence in South America.
They have faced sanctions and hardships imposed on them for 200 years. They have chaffed under dictators and struggled against poverty.
They have faced many giants and they are facing the Giant of destruction caused by the Jan. 12th Earthquake and they face long recovery.
Don't forget our brothers and sisters in Haiti just over an hour away by air from Miami. Don't write them off as they face their giants. Come and face the giants with them. They have a history of clinging in hope against all odds and many Giants.
God bless the Haitians and God give them the power to break all the Giants they face.