Members of Go Haiti have been serving at HCM since 2007. Each year team members find new ways to raise funds to support their trip and purchase supplies. We have had yard sales, church dinners, quarter raffles, and have spoken at many churches. Last year the team collected over 12,000 pairs of shoes and recycled/upcycled them and raised over $4,000. Our team had a goal to find an exciting fundraiser for this year.... sell Chocolate-covered strawberries. No one on the team was a pastry chef or had any idea of what they were getting into. But we had faith.....faith that the strawberries would not go bad, faith that the chocolate would not burn, and faith that we had not gotten in over our heads. Our faith pulled us through. On February 12th nearly 30 people met in a small church and dipped over 230 pounds of strawberries. Each strawberry had to be dipped, drizzled, sorted and boxed. When it was completed the team profited over $4,200 toward their trip.

Without fundraisers our trips would not be possible and our suitcases would be empty. Each team member brings 100 pounds of donations. The donations can vary from medications, clothing, toys, diapers, hygiene items and an occasional prosthetic leg. With nearly 20 team members for the July trip we need to collect a lot of donations. If you are interested in fundraising ideas for your team or for Haitian Christian Mission, we would love to help. Please email Angie Jean Claude at servinghaiti@yahoo.com.

Go Haiti is growing. In 2015 we will be leading 2 teams into Haiti. Two states, South Dakota and Ohio will be representing. With the teams combined, there will be over 30 members serving with HCM. We are a part of several teams that serve with Haitian Christian Mission. As teams plan their upcoming trips, keep in mind the needs of HCM. Without them our service would not be possible. Encourage your team members to research the work that HCM has done in Haiti for over 40 years. Inspire them with your stories. Pray about supporting HCM with your financial donations.

After Jesus' resurrection, he went to the Sea of Galilee located by the city of Tiberias. There he saw Simon Peter, Thomas, Nathanael, the sons of Zebedee, and two other disciples together. He called them out and asked if they had any fish. They worked all night long unsuccessfully. But then at Jesus' command to throw their net on the right side of the boat, they caught a bunch of fish and had to enlist help to drag the net out.  (John 21:1-14)  Where Jesus is, there will always be success.

God is always looking to those who have enough to feed those who do not. Jesus said to Peter, "If you love me, feed my sheep" (paraphrase). Three American friends George Frank from Pasco, WA and Dr. Doug Partin and Steve Hanson from Los Alamos, NM, Makinson and I were in the city of Port-au-Prince, Haiti. Hungry, we went to a restaurant called 'Epi d'Or where we ordered food. We were sitting and eating at the table when a young boy, maybe 11 or 12 years old, came and sat looking at us. He was very handsome, courteous, and calm. He starred at us intently without turning aside.

After we finished eating, I called him up. "Eske ou grangou?" (Are you hungry?), I asked. He replied "Yes, mwen grangou." (I am hungry.)" "Koman ou rele?" (What is your name?) "Ricardo." At this point we gave him ten dollars and he went to the associate and ordered rice and beans that he was eating when we left the table. When one looks at the boy, he cannot love him simply for his good manners. I ask myself, "How can we pass children like that?!" Jesus said "Feed my sheep".

It is with this in mind that we conceived the plan of producing peanut butter. In response to the first letter I wrote, The Well Spring Trust stepped up and partnered with the first investment. Then I flew to Glenwood Springs, CO and The Mountain View Church there also stepped up. Then through the influence of Mike Cohoon, Donna Smaage, and Casselberry Church, we received more blessings towards this endeavor. We were also blessed with fellow advisors Len and Lane Clevenger who connected us with Rotary Clubs and packaging and safety assurance companies. 

Etienne Prophete