Haiti

June 2010

The Gospel Still Stands in Haiti

Contributed by Rich Blatz

The people of the Caribbean are known for enjoying life, seeing the good in most situations, and an infectious friendliness toward visitors. Coming from the island of Puerto Rico my first journey to Haiti was one that I felt very connected too. It was one that was not characterized so much by shock, but one that viewed a country in dire need of economic aid, improved health care, and a continued need for evangelism. In short, it was a great immersion into Missions 101.

The disastrous earthquake in June exposed deep rooted problems. For a short period of time the major cable networks showed the graphic scenes of a country in great peril. But the truth is the earthquake revealed immense pain, but also a beautiful resiliency that can only be experienced on a first hand basis.

I had an excitement on this trip that surpassed my first Haiti trip. Part of it was that I knew we were entering a new area very close to the Haitian ground zero. This area is the city of Mirebelais. As I boarded one of the vans all of what I perceived was quickly blown away. The destruction was epic, but I was astounded when we stopped by the presidential palace. Most of us saw the damage of the palace on television, but upon looking more intently one can see how many people viewed this building as iconic. It had beautiful architecture but now this building represents what so many Haitian people were feeling, a sense of hopelessness, or maybe that was what I was feeling at the time. The next few days would change all my perceptions.

On this mission trip we had partnered once again with the Great Commission Alliance and what we saw was a collision of the status quo being changed. I saw people in the community with smiles, children running through the mountains to meet us, and activity all over the guest house. For the next few days we gave medical treatment to a thankful people. We worshiped with people who have nothing materially but have everything in Christ. We got to work with displaced Haitian college students being used as translators with the plans of being used as future ESL teachers. And then we met Pastor Marcel, a man leaving the comfort of South Florida in order to spread the Gospel to his people. What we saw in Mirebelais, Haiti was a city with hope, and a people who continue to smile despite of their situation. They smile because they know that God is the ultimate satisfaction.

I learned through this trip that God is on the move in Haiti. He is taking broken hearts and making them new again. Lives are being refined by the Gospel that could not be crushed by the earthquake. This trip also reminded me that we are called to pursue people because God himself was the ultimate missionary who pursues us and rescue us. I am incredibly thankful for this church and its quest to be a Gospel life boat to our community and the world. If God places a tug on your heart to serve on a short term or long term basis go for it! What a privilege it was to get to serve in Haiti.

My Journey to Haiti - The Land of Beauty and Pain

Contributed by Paul Affanato

When I first signed up for this mission trip, I was excited to be a part of the effort to help the people of Haiti, especially the children who have suffered such loss. As I began to prepare for the trip, I was filled with gratitude to all of those that helped make this possible. People I did not even know contributed toward my trip and I will be eternally grateful.

We were educated about the country, the needs of the people, and how to care for them. We amassed as many supplies and rations as we could afford for the people of Haiti. When it finally came time to travel, we were all excited and anticipated a long journey to our final destination outside Port Au Prince called Mirebalais.

The drive through Port Au Prince showed us the physical destruction caused by the earthquake. Buildings that were once schools, churches, and homes were little more than piles of rubble. Even the government palace was not spared. Since the buildings were uninhabitable, we saw the emotional affects on the people who were resigned to living in tents and hovels with no services and very little food. My heart went out to these people. I wanted to help, to put my heart and soul into giving as much as possible. I wanted to do God’s work in the best way I knew how.

The trip into the mountains showed us beautiful green countryside peppered with more tent cities teeming with people needing food and medical care, so for the next 7 days, we set up medical clinics in local churches. People walked miles to come, pray, and thank God for the little they had and to be treated for their illnesses. We worked long hours to treat everyone we could reach and yet we felt like we still fell short. There were so many needs we could not begin to meet them all, but we gladly did all we could do.

When it came time to come home, I felt a sadness to leave these people who still needed so much, but I was happy to return to my son and my family. I will be forever changed by my experience in Haiti, by the people who have so little but are so hopeful and faithful that our Lord will see them through. The trip has strengthened my faith and made me realize how much I have to be grateful for.

Haiti 2009

Haiti was home to one of the worst disasters of our time... then the earthquake hit.