The Impact of a Hand to Hand for Haiti Mission Team

By Darline Philistin with Roseanne Krzanowski

   Why do Haitians need a North American mission team to go there when there are many      missions run by Haitian nationals? The short answer: to lend a helping hand and increase theirreach.

The Hand to Hand for Haiti 2015 summer mission team had a great impact on the community of Marmelade. They worked with La Chorale Misionaire de L’Eglise Wesleyenne de Cite Chauvel du Cap Haitien, a church mission in Haiti that organizes a two-week mission trip in a different area every year. Only four volunteers went with Hand to Hand for Haiti, but their work will be multiplied for God’s glory. They didn’t just help a few people. They trained and led Haitian leaders and volunteers to do great things for God. 

Apostle Haynes led a seminar for church leaders. His teaching will change not only their methods, but their mentality. Although some complained about problems with the food, they stayed to receive this training. They will go back and change their communities.

Micheline Michel led Vacation Bible School. She trained six Haitian teachers, who worked enthusiastically with the hundreds of children. Now they are ready to lead VBS in their own churches. They will need materials.

The impact on the children will last even longer, though it may be harder to see. These children received some simple craft supplies, but these were things they had never seen before. They created things during craft time. They received meals and snacks. They did Biblical activities for spiritual growth. Most important, they learned about God’s love for them. Seeing them led me to think about when I first heard the good news of God’s love. It was when a children’s ministry came to my town. The impact of Vacation Bible School can last for generations, because it brings God’s love to the children and their families.

Joseph Michel planned the pastors’ conference. He was there to teach, to translate for Apostle Haynes, to meet with mission partners, and to oversee some of the operations.

I can’t forget the impact our brother John DeConti had on the mission. You could call him our facilities manager. He just kept doing what needed doing: fixing things, fetching things, and floating around to see what else he could do. His knowledge was very helpful and his willingness to help demonstrated God’s love to those around him.

When volunteers from Hand to Hand for Haiti join with our brothers and sisters in Haiti, they increase their capacity to do good. Local organizations benefit from their support and expertise.

The leaders’ seminar changed their mentality, showed them how to improve their own community. Although there were problems with food and some complained, they stayed to receive this training.

Why do we go on mission trips when there are missions like La Chorale Misionaire doing so much work?

        We go to increase capacity of local organizations. We provide resources and trainingthathelp them to do more.

Update: Hunger Relief — Hand to Hand for Haiti

"For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat…" Matthew 25:35 (NIV) Thank you to everyone who donated money to our hunger relief project for Pointe Sable. You followed Jesus’ teaching quite literally. Over $2000 was raised. A small team of our knowledgeable Haitian partners used the money to compile food kits for 50 families. Each kit contained rice, beans, oil, pasta, sugar and flour. They were able to transport the kits efficiently and at minimal expense. They were delivered on Sunday, August 23. Some families told our partner Pastor Seraphin that they had recently gone three days with no food.

Looking ahead, we have plans to help the villagers improve their lives. We would like to help them rebuild their school, this time away from the damaging sea. They already have a parcel of elevated land and some stones for building material. Education is key to a brighter future for Haiti. Point Sable needs a new water system. Outhouses need repair. With your support, we could help them have better sanitation and more reliable sources for food and water.

Urgent message: Hunger Relief

About 40 families live in the village of Pointe Sable on the island of La Gonave in Haiti. This is where Hand to Hand for Haiti's ministry began over 25 years ago. The village can be reached by boat from the mainland, but there is no road connecting it to other towns on the island. It is very vulnerable to drought, and they are experiencing a bad drought right now. For several weeks they have been unable to obtain food for themselves.  For weeks they have had no source of food other than the mercy of others. They received some welcome relief when Hand to Hand for Haiti shipped some Hunger Packs supplied by Kids Against Hunger and packed by volunteers from the Rye (N.Y.) Youth Council. During Hand to Hand for Haiti’s recent mission trip, Joseph met with our partner from La Gonave , Pastor Serafin.

He described the situation as being very bad. Joseph had plans to visit, but two things stopped him: First, he had no more food to offer them. Second, the boat ride would cost him at least $100. So instead he gave the pastor the $100, plus more money, to buy food. All he could give them at the time was $260.

Here is a message from Will Hollywood, Hand to Hand for Haiti’s treasurer, who has been on several mission trips to Haiti: "We commonly think of people starving to death in famine situations.  This is usually not the case.  What happens is chronic malnutrition which leads to lower resistance to disease and the disease doing more damage.  So people will often die from a stomach bug.  The highest risk population are children who have just stopped nursing. It is quite possible that a high percentage of children 6-12 months old will die from easily preventable and easily treatable."
We have a system in place to purchase food in Haiti and ship it to the island at minimal cost. We can take other measures for famine relief, such as oral dehydration kits and helping with the water system.

  But first we need financial support to get going. Would you please consider a contribution? This is a village that is not reached by large relief agencies. We are their best hope, by the grace of God. You can be an important part of this relief effort. Please visit our  secure donation site, and  make a donation that will have a large impact on a small part of the world.

Joy and blessings,

Roseanne Krzanowski, Secretary

Hand to Hand for Haiti

64 Dixon St.

Waterbury, CT 06704