THANKSGIVING 2010

Giving THANKS this Holiday!

Although my recent newsletter talked about the need for Water Filters in Jeremi to prevent the spread of Cholera, good things are happening in Haiti too. THANKS TO YOU.

The Haitian Lutheran Mission Project is truly THANKFUL this holiday season for the many completed projects that Our Loving God has provided this past year in Jeremie, Haiti.



WE HAVE A LUTHERAN SCHOOL IN JEREMIE NOW.
This is a vision that Pastor Isaac shared with us six years ago. Never did we think that it would go this far in such a short time but The Lord moved many people to follow their hearts and help to make this happen.

Pastor Isaac’s dream began to materialize when an anonymous donor gave us the money to purchase a piece of land for the future campus site. Then came donations of all sizes from congregations, individuals and small groups to enable a foundation to be placed.
In 2008 we sent two teams to help with the construction of the building and last March we saw the LWML Grant put the roof on the building at last.



When the public schools started in Oct this year Pastor Isaac opened the doors to the first Lutheran School in Jeremie along with them. It is not quite finished.



There are no desks for the teachers, no blackboards, no plumbing but Pastor was able to borrow 40 benches for the children to sit on and 30 children came. Two weeks later he had 147 children enrolled.

This school gives the children of Jeremie an opportunity they have not had before. Children who have not been able to attend public school because they could not afford a uniform, shoes or supplies will now learn to read and write. Education gives the people of Haiti hope. Parents see education as the only way out of poverty for their children and will even give their children away to someone who promises this.

The Haitian Lutheran Mission Project has also been in partnership with Trinity Hope making possible feeding programs in eight village schools. Many of our newsletter readers are now sponsoring teachers in these schools. Without these sponsors the schools would close and Trinity Hope would no longer be able to feed school children one meal a day of beans and rice (for most children the only meals they get all week).

Another project completed this year was the Medical Clinic that Pastor was able to provide to four villages last March when our mission team arrived in Jeremie. This was a major event for the people of these small mountain villages. Many were fitted with eye glasses and given medicines that they would otherwise never be able to afford.

Yes, despite the earthquake, hurricanes and epidemics Haiti still survives and it’s people go on as best they can. BLESSED ARE THE POOR IN SPIRIT FOR THEY SHALL BE CALLED CHILDREN OF GOD. The Haitian Lutheran Mission Projects is Thankful for the opportunity to be part of God’s Plan for Haiti.


Thanking Him,
Sue Gross and The Haitian Lutheran Mission Team.
Suelynn144@aol.com

Lutheran Women's Missionary League Zone President visits Haiti

BARB COPELAND-BELANSKI
NID LWML Zone 25 President
shares her experience this last spring.

I have some friends from Christ, Orland Park,IL who visited Haiti a few years ago…….when I heard they were planning another trip in 2010 I could feel God nudging me to join the team. The March 2010 mission trip would be serving Pastor Isaac in Jeremie by hosting eyeglass clinics and VBS activities for the children attending Pastor Isaac’s Lutheran schools……..then the earthquake hit on January 12th.


At first, our trip was in peril……..everyone was eager to go and help. By mid February, we were told airplanes were allowed to land in Port Au Prince…….so we made haste to complete our plans by adding a medical component to our team.

On March 11, our team of fifteen including a doctor and two Pastors began our journey.


After a day and a half of traveling, we finally arrived in Jeremie into the welcome arms of Pastor Isaac. He was so happy to see us……..he presides over several Lutheran churches and schools in Jeremie as well as cares for 24 orphans in his home and knows personally the needs of his people…….the children need to learn about Jesus and scores of individuals have medical and vision concerns. Jeremie escaped earthquake damage but was the recipient of over 30,000 refugees……people were everywhere.


In all, we visited seven schools, two orphanages and held five eyeglass and medical clinics. We traveled for hours every day over bumpy and dusty roads to reach Pastor Isaac’s churches. Everywhere we went, people young and old were waiting for our team……some were waiting for hours and some had walked many miles to meet us. By the end of the week, we had fitted 300 people with eyeglasses and provided medical care for over 500 patients……..and so many children learned about God’s mercy toward Jonah!


We returned home on March 20……..a tired lot but oh so fulfilled. We had witnessed the goodness of God and saw His face shining in so many of the people. God’s church is growing in Haiti and we couldn’t help but feel that through the Holy Spirit and the efforts of our team, church membership will see even more growth.

And another trip is already being planned for March of 2011!!


Barb Copeland-Belanski
NID LWML Zone 25 President

For more information about our
organization, please contact us at...

Lutheran Women's Missionary League
P.O. Box 411993
St. Louis, MO 63141-1993
Phone: 1-800-252-5965
Fax: 1-314-268-1532
e-mail: lwml@lwml.org

June 2010 LWML Newsletter - Reprinted with permission