Hope Church Trip report

Promise for Haiti June 2010 trip report
Summitted Christi Spencer

Our team for the week of June 24-July 1, 2010 was made up of 11 people from Hope Church in Spencer, IA and 3 people from Sunnybrook Church in Sioux City, IA. Most of this group had originally been scheduled to come into Pignon the end of January, 2010. Those arrangements had to be postponed so we had been eagerly waiting for the time for the June trip to finally come. The purpose of the trip is a combination of work projects, follow up with ministries that are supported by our churches, and representing our communities that have given money for the purpose of sharing food with people in Pignon and the surrounding area. Another focus for the ladies of our team was to hold our ‘1st annual’ Women’s conference where stories of women in the Bible were shared. “Fanm Espwa Nan Ayiti” is the name of the conference, “Women of Hope in Haiti”.

Our travel arrangements involved flying from Minneapolis, MN to Orlando, FL then shuttle to Ft Pierce. The next morning we were on the MFI plane, going through Port au Prince to be cleared into the country, then on to Pignon. All flights were smooth and ON TIME!

We spent the week in the MN House which is wonderful! We were very comfortable with accommodations for 14 people. We did have very low water pressure in the showers throughout the week and, in general, cold water. The shower on the main floor produced a trickle out one hole of the shower head! We had a couple people ‘shower’ and wash their hair in the down pouring rain, God gave us water pressure! Sue Ishee had advised us to be sure not to let anyone but team members into the compound to insure security of our belongings, etc. We didn’t have any issues at all.

Our work projects involved a bathroom remodel in the Doctor’s Dorm and some painting in the new Out Patient Clinic and an OB room at the Hospital. Those projects were completed with the use of the “Little Giant” ladder that was a gift to be left for future teams to use. The 2 churches represented in our group both support Guimby school. Sunnybrook’s support is with the scholarship program and Hope’s support is with the school lunch feeding program. We were all very disappointed when the roads were too SLOPPY to make our way in and around and up and through on the road up to Guimby. We tried our best but had to make the wise but tough decision to head back to Pignon. Feb, 2011 we hope will prove to be a better time for a trip to Guimby.

Distributing rice and beans provides the opportunity to share the Gospel with many families and individuals. We used “Witness Symbols” to share the message: “Jezi te vini, Jezi te mouri, Jezi te resisite, Jezi te monte nan syel la, e Jezi va tounen anko”, which means: “He came, He died, He arose, He ascended, and He’s coming back….FOR YOU!” This was also used as the theme for the Women’s conference. We had bible stories, a bandana craft and several gifts to share. We had ‘sewing kits’, scripture cards, “Witness’ bands that could all be taken home in a bag that had a screen printed “Fanm Espwa Nan Ayiti” logo. The morning conference was concluded with a meal which our group provided. The meal was served in colorful bowls accompanied by ‘sporks’ in many colors, which also could be taken home. We had worked with Stacey Nikkel of Many Hands for Haiti on pre-planning the conference with Pastor Francios of the Baptist Church down the street from Dr Guy’s compound. We were all very encouraged and excited with the results of the effort put forth. Pastor Francios says he is praying for 200-250 women for the next conference to be held in February, 2011. Our God is a BIG God!!

Our Sunday morning worship was with JeanJean and Kristie Mompremier of United Christians International. We were invited for lunch at their house after church. One afternoon, we visited one of their 7 Nutrition Centers, Lapila.

Since Jared and Stacey Nikkel with Many Hands for Haiti started their furlough mid June, we had the opportunity to work with Eric Krob and family who live in Lisbon, IA. Eric, his wife, Stacy, and four sons, TJ, Thatcher, Truman, and Teague committed to 9 weeks in Pignon while the Nikkels are in the states. Eric, along with Ezequias and Wilkin from Pignon, were SO helpful to our team to help us accomplish the tasks we had planned. Because of all of their help and organization, we didn’t have to leave anything incomplete, except our trip to Guimby but that was simply not possible because of the road conditions. THANK YOU, Ezequias, Wilkin, Eric and family.

As we were getting close to home on our last travel day, I observed something that was encouraging. It seemed that all of our team members were in good spirits through to the END! I think that was a sign of a GOOD TRIP! Bonswa until next time. (submitted by Christi Gabhart, Spencer, IA)