| e-Mission Lines July 2011 |
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Touching Haiti with the love of Christ |
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My Reflections
by Edwens Prophete
On December 12, 2009, while in graduate school, I wrote an article on the Haitian economy and the strength of the Haitian people. In the article I wrote, "Through the rumble, the enduring spirit of the people indulged in this distress is stronger than ever. They see hope through the love of God". Little did I know that exactly one month later a devastating earthquake would rip through the country changing hundreds of thousands of lives in Haiti and indirectly affecting billions around the world. The pain and suffering still bears heavily in our memory today one and a half years later. In the book When Helping Hurts, Corbett & Fikkert mentioned, "The key dynamic in development is promoting an empowering process in which all the people involved -both the 'helpers' and the 'helped'- become more of what God created them to be..." (2009). The result is the trickledown effect that has instilled in our hearts that we are one in Christ and it is our duty to help our brothers and sisters in need, not only in Haiti, but all around the world.
 | | Edwens Prophete |
Haitian Christian Mission has been truly blessed with intriguing individuals who seek to help the Haitian community get back on their feet once again. Though this country is often plagued with bad leadership, natural disasters, and disease, many of you know that the Haitian people are a hardworking, family-oriented, and genuinely loving people. And while many of our visitors think they are just coming to help Haiti, they often take back with them much more than what they came with. We have seen bad relationships renewed during trips to Haiti. We have seen people gain a life changing appreciation of just how blessed they are. And most importantly we have seen people gain a deeper understanding of the love of Christ and the closeness we feel towards Him. This is God's way of saying these trips are a win-win situation.
 | | This medical team, Ke Nou, was recently at HCM. You can check out their blog by clicking on the photo above. |
Once again back in Fonds Parisien, where I spend most of my time planning, doing grunt work, or simply enjoying fellowship with my brothers and sisters in Christ, I have taken the time to reflect on the current situation of the mission. We are in the development stage of our mission expansion and there is much work to do. With a strong team of outstanding leaders, I have to say we are truly blessed.  | | Pastor Jonas Dorlus |
One individual who stands out is Jonas Dorlus. When considering the direction we want the mission to go, Dorlus is proving to be a perfect fit. In addition to teaching at the translation school in Port-Au-Prince in the afternoons, Dorlus has also been revamping our child sponsorship program and is finally getting it back in good standing with the help and determination of Wendy Zehner. This has been a hard task considering we have over ten thousand students in our schools, many of whom have had to relocate to safer areas following the earthquake. We currently have a goal of getting 175 more students sponsored by the end of this year.
 | | Betty Prophete |
Another outstanding individual is my mom, Betty Prophete. As the co-founder, Betty is one of the hardest working members of HCM. Since the earthquake, she has been spending the majority of her time in Haiti helping the people in Fonds Parisien, sacrificing the comforts of her home in Florida. Her leadership qualities are what Haiti needs. She has the respect of the Haitian and international communities as a leader and adviser. On a personal level, as a mother and colleague, she has taught me the dos and don'ts of humanitarian work as a Christian as well as the ins and outs of Haiti. She also worked hand-in-hand with Mary Leigh and Paige Zahn to start Wholehearted Orphanage. If you were to visit there, you would see that the love and progress displayed makes it much more like a family than an orphanage.
What is HCM doing these days?
Medical Teams
We have seen so many people step forward to help the people of Haiti. We constantly have teams coming to pour their hearts into Fonds Parisien and our surrounding communities. It is incredible to see the medical ministry operating at a level we never saw coming. A medical team led by George Frank and Janice Simonson of Bethel Church in Tri-Cities, WA last month blessed us tremendously with their passion and love. One day I stepped in the clinic and saw Kellie Stigge and Dr. Ron Davis with some of the team members working on an emergency room patient. As they finished, instead of just walking off, they stayed around to show our custodial staff how to cleanse the area to OSHA standards to avoid any spread of bacteria. This teaching was well received by our head custodian Paul who told me after the team left how much he appreciated them taking the time to teach him and his staff. During that week, Dr. Davis and the team learned from the hospital's new Internal Administrator, Dr. Dieunord Saint-Louis about different cases and the resources available. This is the kind of integrative learning we strive for at HCM, people stepping out of the norm to teach others even if the task being taught is not "our job".
 | | Members on a mobile medical clinic team treat a child for scabies |
Hospital ProgressOver the last year, Christ For All Hospital has treated over 30,000 patients and has received over five million dollars worth of medical equipment and medication. With these generous donations, HCM has been able to also help surrounding clinics and hospitals with medicine. We're so thankful for Circle of Health International and their $25,000 grant of the Vitamin Angels. Because of their hard work and long hours of research, thousands of mother and infants will receive proper treatment of vitamin A in Haiti. We would like to thank Jana Gottino for her perseverance in getting HCM an X-Ray machine which was high in our wish list. The clinic has been renovated with new windows, tile floors, lighting, rooms for overnight doctors and nurses, a dental room, and a remodeled ER room.
 | | Inside the HCM pharmacy |
SoccerOn a fun note, Play It Forward has been one of the biggest blessings for our children aside from education. Under the direction of Alison Gaddis (Founder) and Thonny Fabien (Coaching Director), this program has sprung out of the ground like a eucalyptus tree providing a place for kids to develop their athletic talents. With their passion for helping young Haitian athletes along with others investing in this program, I know it will go far and one day we will have a high-quality soccer field where the kids will not have to worry about falling on the concrete or running into a brick wall.
 | | Play It Forward soccer practice |
ConstructionOur construction program is running at a smooth rate these days. Theo (Kerby) Prophete knows how it feels to step into unfamiliar territory and have to come up with results quickly. It took a lot of hits and misses, calculation after calculation, and loss of sleep to get the gist of Haitian building customs. The road was a tough one, but he managed to build sixteen homes and a warehouse and now is in the process of building ten new houses and repairing six battered homes for families in distress. How can a man step onto new ground and do such amazing things? First, he has a strong faith in our Father to guide him in building the ethical way. Second, he put "the right people on the bus and got the wrong people off" (Collins, 2001) with the Haitian foreman. And lastly, many individuals from IDES, Bethel Church, FAME, Georgia Tech, West Georgia University, North East Christian, and many more have taught, learned, sweated and earned the respect of the Haitian people to make this happen.
 | | The new HCM homes from the front |
 | | The homes from the back with two new sets of homes being built behind them. |
Physical Growth
Looking into the near future, the vision God has placed in Dr. Etienne Prophete to build and grow communities closer to Christ will continue to flourish. In our medical ministry, Dr. Geffrard and Project Haiti Heart plans to expand the hospital with a 12,000 sq. ft. facility that would accommodate many medical practices at the HCM campus. So far, PHH has raised over $230,000 for the 1.3 million dollar expansion. In addition, HCM is working on plans and specs for the new school project along with the athletic complex at Fonds. The Wholehearted Orphanage plans to build a new home for the children we love so dearly. We are looking to continue our business ventures through PRO Haiti which would create sustainability, jobs, and economic means for families associated with HCM.
 | | New hospital design |
I ask you to join with me to make a better Haiti. If your heart desires somewhere else like Japan, Sudan, or even in the U.S., then go for it. The point is to give back with all your heart and you will be blessed. We know the work is grand, but with the guidance of a great team and individuals like you, the blessings of our Father will change Haiti. It is only by His grace we are able to carry such ethical and wholehearted practices to see families progressing in our communities. On behalf of Haitian Christian Mission and our staff, I would like to thank you for your prayers, concern, donations, and awareness in rebuilding a nation where at the root, love is in action. Like a great man always said, "With the KINGDOM in mind, the best is yet to come". May God continue to bless you!
 | | Edwens teaching some village children to count |
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Another Spreading the Word
by Wendy Zehner 
Meet Ismel Lubain, one of HCM's rising young men, who has devoted himself to the preaching of God's word. As an HCM sponsored child, Ismel went through the HCM school in Port-au-Prince and then studied at Windward Islands School of Evangelism in Vincent. (LINK) He now works for the mission as a translator. His goal is to one day pastor a church of his own. A month ago he began a Bible study at the HCM church in the mountain village of Thoman. He has also been working with the pastor to improve church involvement and community relations.
While in Haiti I had the opportunity to attend his weekly study where a dozen people along with the pastor had gathered. The sky was dark and a lantern was lit and placed in the rafters of the church. Only a few people even had Bibles. Ismel shared from Acts 3. The people listened and asked questions. Several shared personal experiences. The rain came and the noise it made on the tin roof was loud but Ismel's voice powered through.
As the group shared their struggles, "How do we become friendlier to newcomers? What does it mean to witness to our neighbors? How can I pray for my brothers that I do not know?" it became evident that Haitians struggle with the same issues we do only with dire poverty as the backdrop of their lives.
By the time the study finished, the attendance had grown to two dozen people. After handshakes and smiles, we jumped in our truck to go. This group of believers will receive enough Bibles for all who come to study thanks to the VBS money raised by Crosspoint Christian Church. Your support goes to undergird these men and women who proclaim truth in the mountains of Haiti. And they are doing it without handouts, coffee, snacks or comfortable seating. They are gathering because they are hungry for God's truth. Keep Ismel and the church in Thoman in your prayers.
 | | The Mountain View Church of Thoman |
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This week
Two exciting things are taking place in Fonds Parisien this week.
First, Haitian Christian Mission along with its Mennonite partners are beginning work on a new, much needed well. The well is being dug up the mountain behind the mission complex and will provide water to the new homes HCM has been building as well as to much of the village.
Second, HCM will be holding its annual convention on the mission grounds in Fonds Parisien. The townspeople as well as visitors from neighboring villages and areas across Haiti will come together for several days of teaching, worship and prayer. |
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Child Sponsorship Drive
   
HCM is kicking off a sponsorship drive and with your help and God's provision we can get it done! We've set a goal of finding 175 new sponsors by September 1, 2011. Currently we're about a quarter of the way there. We're using e-mail and Facebook to spread the word and you can do the same.
Or maybe you're able and wanting to sponsor a child yourself. Your support of $30 a month will help a child receive an education and give him or her a greater chance at being physically, spiritually, and emotionally healthy. Your child will receive a uniform, books, a Christian education, and medical care and will also be able to participate in a feeding program.
Click here to find out more or start sponsoring. |
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Haiti Helps Joplin
When news of the tornado damage in Joplin, MO reached Haiti it was only natural for the HCM staff to start to pray. Even more natural was the response they immediately gave, "How can we help?"
The staff began getting the word out to all the HCM churches and asked the people to take up a special offering for Joplin. Over two weeks the pastors taught on giving and collected offerings. Now we will watch what God will do with the sacrificial giving of his people in Haiti. Our hearts and prayers go out to our brothers and sisters in Joplin. This community has been such a huge supporter of HCM and the Haitian people. Many of the doctors, nurses, preachers, and workers that have given and served in Haiti were affected. Many lost homes, office buildings, and churches. Even the hospital that was damaged so severely has given generously to Haiti. Keep your hope and courage up, Joplin, and watch the good that the Lord will do.
Many thanks to Joplin Helps Haiti and Len Clevenger for all the tireless work and deep love they have shared over the years.
Park Plaza Christian Church, the church where Pastor Etienne Prophete was ordained, will be the recipient of the money collected in the HCM churches. |
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