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As we all have heard, seen and read, Haiti sustained an enormous blow from the recent earthquake in January 2010 and is still sorely in need of help for recovery. This earthquake left Haiti with as many as one million homeless people, 230,000 confirmed deaths, widespread damage of its infrastructure, and devastation of its capital city, Port-au-Prince. As of June 3, 2010 it was reported by NPR that among many other tragic living situations, roughly 1000 people are living on an 8 foot wide stretch of median in the middle of the torn up Route Nationale, a 6 lane roadway which up until the earthquake was one of Haiti’s busiest.
This month, a group of us have the fortunate opportunity to travel to Haiti on a mission to bring medical, structural and personal aid for one week. This mission is in conjunction with Double Harvest who has been helping Haiti for 35 years. In 1975, one man was determined to go to Haiti, the poorest country in the western hemisphere and make a difference in these peoples’ lives. He founded this organization and 35 years later Double Harvest continues to make a difference.
With an over-abundance of real-time media constantly at our fingertips, we are all too well aware of the continued state of Haiti. It is this awareness as we lead our lives, that there are millions of people miles and miles away in Haiti who are homeless and in need of emergency aid. It is this awareness that it is more than just the physical damage to both land and people—it is also the spirit of Haiti that suffers. This is where we hope to make a difference.
This is where we will take part in bringing the sorely needed staples of love, compassion and joy to the people of Haiti. While there, we will create and maintain a written and photo journal for all to see what one person, and then another and another, can do to raise the spirits of a community in need. In this way, we plan to bring everyone with us so they too can be a part of healing this ailing country. Check us out on Facebook for daily updates —just click HERE!
Below you can see who is going on this mission to Haiti and what some have to say about it.
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Photo from www.doubleharvest.org |
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Photos from wwww.doubleharvest.org |
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Like these two, many of the camps pose great danger to their residents, at risk of flooding, landslides, disease, and yes, even traffic. Officials say the hundreds of thousands of quake victims could be in these makeshift settlements for months or even years. All of this on top of Haiti’s pre-existing abysmal agricultural economy and urgency for reforestation. |
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Photo from wwww.npr.org |
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Photo from www.doubleharvest.org |
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Photo of DH grounds from www.doubleharvest.org |
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Photo of DH Greenhouse from www.doubleharvest.org |
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Photo of DH Medical Clinic from www.doubleharvest.org |
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Mike Keller. For the past 11 years I have been on 13 Missions trips (doing construction) in 8 different states and 2 countries. We can do missions work in any city in America and I just love working with Urban Promise in downtown Wilmington. But there is a difference leaving your home and being out of your day to day environment serving the Lord. At home your comfortable, it is also low risk and there is always work or kids or friends pulling for your time. At trip away from home is a whole different experience, nothing is familiar (but God); it is high risk (out of country) and you bound as a team with a common purpose. It will not be easy, there will be difficulties but, it is a chance for each individual on the team to see what they are made of. We will be stretched to the limit but when we lean on God he pulls us thru the challenges. God is my Shepard and my rock. |
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Shelley Hoglund. I am going to Haiti because of Matthew 28:19. I hope to help others and have a renewed sense of selflessness while serving others and out Lord. |
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Lonnie Webb. Seeing the Haiti photos on their website at doubleharvest.org reveals civil engineering needs in areas which I have experience and a passion. The opportunity for this trip, coming when and with whom it did, may very well be God’s divine providence to direct me toward his plans for me. I ask for your prayers for God to give me the understanding and confidence to choose the path that He sets before me. |
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Maryann Monheit. For me Haiti is not only a place where I can bring hope, compassion and joy, but a place from which I will leave with more in my heart than when I arrived. I am looking forward to meeting and helping as many Haitians as I can, and bonding with my fellow team members along the way. I am bringing with me the little green cartoon character Jurdy® whose entire essence is to make people feel good about themselves. I know together Jurdy and I will get a lot of smiles! |
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Check us out on Facebook! We will be posting pictures and comments all day everyday! |
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Sofia DeNiso. My name is Sofia DeNisio, I'm 23 years old and I am a paramedic. When the earthquake happened my heart just broke hearing of all the people that were killed, homeless, and orphaned. I have been trying to find a group to go down and help for months; and I'm so happy that I found such a wonderful group of people to go with and share this experience. I can't wait to spread a little sunshine and put some smiles on the children's faces! |
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Glenn Holz. |
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Sandra Russel. I am very excited about going to Haiti. I have been attending mission trips for about 17 years. I have never been out of the country and am honored to be able to help in this way. I have always felt the tug of my heart to help whenever I hear of a disaster for example: earthquake, hurricane, flood, etc. I just want to be used by God to help others in need. I hope to return with a true since of what being disadvantaged is all about and how God is able to us anyone (me) to help others. I am a teacher and want to be able to tell my students about the trip and anyone else that I come in contact with. |