Haiti Mission Trip: August 2003

By Andrew Brooks

I recently spent time in Haiti, the second poorest nation on earth and everywhere you look, you see children roaming the streets of Port au Prince seeking a bit of food, a place to rest, trying to survive. So many children there know the harsh reality of living on the street.

Our group of 13 short-term missionaries experienced extreme emotions, as well as God's strong presence, as we worked among orphans. Our aims were to support and serve at three different Haitian ministries. In addition we learned first-hand the culture of Haiti. We distributed Bibles, Bible storybooks, medicines, clothing, toys and goodwill. Lifting Haitians out of fear, loneliness, neglect, poverty, hunger and the darkness of voodoo culture is the goal of Christian ministry in this country.

To begin, we saw that God has allowed His light and love to flourish in this land of hope. In January 1985 Michael Geilenfeld, the founder and current director of St. Joseph's Home for Boys, gathered 5 children from the streets of Port au Prince. With great prayer and the leading of the Holy Spirit, a giant step was taken to provide a 24/7 family for the abandoned children. The boys, some of whom are now young men, learned Christian family values, morality, responsibility and are giving back to the community compassionate service and hope. St. Joseph's is now home to 20 former street children, ages 8 to 21. The boys attend school, perform household chores, and attend tutorial studies in art, music and dance. Currently each boy 14 years of age or older "adopts" and befriends a family in the slum area of Cite' Soleil. They take food, clothing, small amounts of money and God's love to the families at least monthly. In addition to giving a voice to those forgotten poor in the most dismal situations, a school scholarship program has been created to help Cite' Soleil children attend school. $150 per year covers tuition, school uniforms and books. I am committed, just as these young men are, to help one by one.

Now picture small dark rooms lined with rows of cribs. Before God led Geilenfield to begin an orphanage in Fermathe, there was little attention paid to, or hope for, the abandoned children there. Yet even their condition was better than the average handicapped child in Haiti could expect, for rarely were handicapped children allowed to survive after birth. Our group spent two and a half days at Wings of Hope Orphanage for handicapped children. Located in the mountain village of Fermathe, Wings is residence for 30 children with physical or emotional disabilities. As volunteers, we worked in education, physical therapy, crafts and sharing love throughout the day.

Finally, we spent two mornings at the Home for Abandoned Babies of the Missionaries of Charity, the religious order begun by Mother Theresa. We fed, changed diapers, clothed, held, walked in play areas, and played catch with the older children. Some of the babies were only a few months old and some were so frail that extreme care was needed to even lift them from their cribs to share our love and compassion.

There were daily opportunities to pass out hundreds of Bible tracts, "Stories of Jesus," "Old Testament Stories," as well as bubble gum, candy and even dollar bills. There were many ways to show that we were ambassadors of Christ and living examples of his transforming power. God was so good to allow us to reach out in community service in Haiti. Your prayers were greatly appreciated and answered during this mission. Matthew 28:19-20.