Ok, this might be outside the scope of this blog, but I've got a question about this wording from a book. Speaking of Jesus, it says, "Poto mitan istwa a se yon ti bebe." (Istwa Jezi nan Bib la, p.17) Would this phrase, "poto mitan" not conjure up voodoo images for Haitian children?

No.  It wouldn't.
Poto mitan means center pillar.  The one that holds everything together.
Haitians use this word especially when they talk about a person that is important and everything goes back to (revolves around) him/her.

For example, I might say "Manman'm se poto mitan fanmi m.  Si'l pa't la fanmi an ta gentan divize."

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