Mission To Haiti - January 2011
This mission trip was led by Pastor Rusty Bailey, Immanuel Lutheran Church, Swea City, Iowa. His group had been meeting since August 2010 to plan the trip. Bryan and Jolene were invited to participate in this mission trip to learn the ropes.
We worshipped God with a small rural church, the Church of God in the village of Dedbi. It was a very moving experience knowing how far the parishioners walk to worship God. They have one good outfit that they wear for church, weddings, and funerals. Men wear long sleeved shirts with a tie, slacks, and dress shoes. Women wear conservative dresses that cover the shoulders and an angel’s veil. We worshipped the Lord for three hours on Sunday morning. At the end of the service, a young lady about 14 years of age announced that due to our presence and commitment to the Lord to travel so far to worship with them, she accepted Christ Jesus as her Savior. Talk about a moving experience!
The primary goal was to move the children into a safer, cleaner home with a big yard and garden area. A previous mission had built bunk beds for the children and our next objective was to place mosquito netting over their bunk beds, which was accomplished. We also distributed clothing and backpacks filled with school supplies to the children.
Many of the children lost both parents in the earthquake. Every attempt is made to find parents or other relatives of the children. In some cases, relatives are found but they are unable to care for the child and the child is able to stay at the orphanage. At the orphanage, the children receive two meals a day, attend school, have access to safe water and medical care, and for some, have a better home than prior to the earthquake. HHHO has hired two women and one man to live at the orphanage that care for the children, help them with homework, and to be role models.
Another goal of this mission team was to meet with area farmers that were having difficulties with the river and water flow. The farmers have solutions to their problems but do not have the resources to achieve them. Due to flooding caused by deforestation the river has changed course which altered their irrigation practices and location of their fields for crops. The mission team and HHHO are researching ways to help the Haitians meet their financial needs to resolve the flooding and irrigation obstacles.
The mission group from Iowa brought several CPU (chlorine production unit) kits called SWIM for HIM from Safe Water International Ministries. The kit uses a 12 volt battery converting table salt and water into chlorine, hydrogen peroxide and an Ozone solution. This tool is more effective in cleaning water than chlorine alone. Several different groups of Haitians were taught how to use the kits so that after our mission group returned to the states, they could continue making chlorine in order to have safe drinking water.
We shared with the 50 families, now living in new homes through the help of HHHO, the gospel, tools to prevent and treat cholera, and basic hygiene training. After the lessons we distributed rice, beans, oil and peanut butter to the attendee’s along with hygiene kits. The kits consisted of washcloths, soap, toothbrushes, toothpaste, and hand sanitizers. The Haitian people in the rural community of Aquin (A-can) were very receptive and thankful to the mission team. The Haitians praise God for every blessing they receive.
After distributing the supplies, one lady held back – obviously distraught over something. Through an interpreter we learned that her 20 something son had passed away on January 1st from cholera. She wanted to share her gratitude to us for thinking about them and caring enough to bring the supplies and education they need to prevent and treat cholera. We also determined she just wanted to share with someone the pain of her loss. It meant a great deal to us that we were there just to listen.
On the last day in Haiti, after the rest of the mission group had returned to the states, Bryan and Jolene were able to distribute food and meet some of the families in Citè Soleil, the most impoverished neighborhood in Port-au-Prince and the western hemisphere. Alex, our host and co-founder of HHHO, who grew up in Citè Soleil took us on a short tour. Most houses in Citè Soleil are small eight by ten concrete rooms with a small front porch. They have no electricity and no running water. Several houses were cardboard or tin and some had no roofs. In Citè Soleil there are over 300,000 people in a 2.5 square mile area. In addition to visiting Citè Soleil we went to a tent city to deliver clean water for the community.
This trip has certainly altered our outlook on the world and our own lives. We are so very blessed to have been born in the United States. When we read in the Bible about how Jesus wants us to go out into the world to feed the hungry and clothe the poor, it has a new meaning. We fed the hungry and clothed the poor with the help of our congregation, our family, and friends that prayed for us and supported the trip both with generous donations of supplies and with financial donations. We want to share the pictures and stories about Haiti and the organization, Haitian Helping Haitian, so that others can have a better understanding of the plight of the poor and the manipulated.
Testimonials:
Haiti is something you see on TV and think, that must be rough. But being in Haiti and meeting Haitians, its no longer just a rough situation. It's your situation. They quickly weave their way into your hearts and daily prayers through their patience and never wavering faith in God. I'd go back in a heartbeat. -Kelly
Once again another very successful mission. A lot was accomplished but still so much more to do. Spending time with the children is always the biggest delight. To see them so happy and feel they are safe in their new home with their new beds and clean water makes my heart sing. As the children would say "God is good all the time . All the time God is good." God bless everyone back home that makes HHHO's mission work possible. Meci Anpil from Haiti as well. - Connie founder of HHHO.
The needs of Haiti are many. The question I keep asking is, "What next Lord?" Guide all who travel in mission to Haiti. -Pastor Don
Going on this mission trip was a life and heart changing experience. We have been blessed beyond our imagination. Jolene and my hearts are still in Haiti. Every time we have given a presentation we long to go back. We miss our new found American friends and really miss our Haitian kids, Madeline, Sarafina, and Papouch. Bondye beni ou. -Jolene
During the short time I spent in Haiti, I found out that the people are very kind and just as curious about us as we are of them. I could see that in the Aquin area, there isn't much that the people can do (as far as jobs to make themselves better). I also saw people that really get into their religion and have faith in the good Lord. -Joel
My first trip to Haiti in January 2011 was heart-wrenching to see the darkest levels of poverty but yet heart-warming at the same time to see the faith the Haitians have in Christ and thankfulness they feel for every meal, every gift, every blessing. I look forward to the day that I can return to Haiti. The people I met are my new friends and forever in my heart. They taught me the true meaning of sharing Christ’s love. -Jolene Brauer
I can honestly say this was the most meaningful trip I have ever taken. I got so much more from this trip than I put into it. The people of Haiti are amazing. -Doug Goraczkowski
If you would like to donate to earthquake relief, please contact Connie. Her e-mail address is located on the home page or call this number: 1-715-789-2701.
Monetary Donations may be sent to:
HHHO
P.O. Box 109
Coleman WI 54112