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Haiti Mission 2005When Christopher Columbus returned from the New World, the King of Spain asked him: "What does Hispaniola look like?". Columbus crumpled up a piece of paper and threw it on the table and said: "It looks like that." Haiti was mountainous & craggy, and beyond the mountains were more mountains. Its hills were carpeted in mahogany and oak, and its plantations produced much of the coffee and sugar consumed in the Old World. Once the "Pearl of the Antilles", Haiti's deforestation has spiralled the country into one of the worst ecological disasters in the world. Once one of the most prosperous nations in the hemispheres, Haiti now ranks as one of the three poorest nations on earth. Once the envy of the world, many now scarcely survive on less than $2 a day. Gonaives, Haiti, is a coastal city that was ravaged by floods following Hurricane Jeanne's strike in September 2004. Thousands were killed and two hundred thousand people were homeless or living on roofs waiting for the flood waters to abate. The effects of that flood are still evident today with ruined houses, churches, hospitals and schools. Eben-Ezer Mission, literally "Stone of Help" Mission, has been serving the needs of Gonaives since 1969 under the direction of Pastor Michel Morisset. The Mission supports the community through hospitals, rural clinics, schools, churches, a technical services subsidiary, a micro-credit program, and farms. On February 3, a team of 10 from Victoria and Brantford, ON., will leave for Gonaives, Haiti, to show the love of Christ to those who think the world has forgotten them. Pastor Morisset writes to the team: "You need to understand that people from other cities in Haiti have considered what happened to Gonaives as a curse, and consequently stay away from this city, leaving it in isolation.The Lord has heard our cry and will turn this around. Thank you for being obedient to His voice!" Through Eben-Ezer Mission, our team will focus our talents to come to the aid of the Haitian people. Our talents are varied, so our work will be reflected in the abilities God has given us. Some of us will spend a week there, others two weeks. Some will work in the medical field, assisting resident missionary physicians in basic health care and education. We have been blessed to be able to bring $10,000 worth of medicine including antibiotics, topical creams, antidiarrheals, antiparasitics, medical supplies, antihypertensives, antifungals, eye/ear drops, and vitamins. There is enough in these Physician Travel Packs to treat up to 2,000 people. The floods brought a great amount of damage to properties, including churches and schools. Some members of the team will be involved in restoring those buildings to usefulness. Many children have not been to school since the middle of September. Still others will be there to bless the children, those who are hungry, dirty, sick with infections and disease, those to whom Jesus said: "Let them come to me." You can help by considering making a donation to our mission. Any and all funds collected will be used for on-the-ground projects. No money will be used in supporting administration, travel or personal costs. Please pray for the team, as Gonaives -- and Haiti in general -- is often a hotbed of violence and carjackings, even against foreigners. Pray for the hand of God to cover all our plans. Pray for hearts like Jesus. Pray for the Spirit of peace and protection. If you have any questions, contact the team leader:  |