Greetings to all who are reading this publication; whether you are a first time or regular reader of the newsletter, a new short-term mission participant, or long-time repeat visitor to Haiti, we feel privileged and excited to provide you with this update on the progress and developments both locally and in Haiti as we partner with the Haitians in witness to the greatness of the Lord.

Organ iza t ion Nae Newsletter Date Volume 1, Issue 1

NEWSLETTERNEWSLETTER

Spring 2012

Page 1 Mission to Haiti Canada

In this issue:

Introduction

Mission to Haiti Canada PO Box 39

Norwich ON N0J 1P0 www.mthcanada.org

Introduction Pg. 1 Community Initiatives Pg. 3 Golf Tournament Pg. 4

Short-term Mission Trips Pg. 1,2 Long-Term Volunteers Pg. 3 In Closing Pg. 4

Child Sponsorship Program Pg. 2 Other News Pg. 4 Upcoming Dates Pg. 4

Short-term Mission Trips

MTH Canada organized three trips this winter for short-term mission projects. A team of 35 served in Haiti during an 11 day trip in November and two teams of 25 and 35 members also had the opportunity to serve with their brothers and sisters in Haiti. Construction initiatives were undertaken on housing projects and a large scale playground was assembled for the children at the campus in Messailler. 6 houses have been completed on the hill in Travo and 17 are in various stages of construction. Work has begun on the communal washroom facility for this development, and upon completion Haitians will begin to move into these houses. The application process has begun for people to occupy these homes and is intended to allocate the houses using a fair system. It is hoped that the houses will begin to be occupied in April! A medical team embarked on an

adventurous journey to the north of the country in Cap-Haitien, where they attended to and served a number of people who had various illnesses and health issues. Other medical personnel shared diagnostic and treatment talents in locales closer to Cabaret including Port-au-Prince, St Marc and in Messailler itself. Many

Page 2 Mission to Haiti Canada

Short-term Mission Trips (cont’d)

Haitians were assessed and treated through the usage of a variety of medications and treatments. As one of the medical teams was in Haiti during the 2nd anniversary of the earthquake, traveling or setting up a medical clinic would likely have been futile due to the memorial services, rallies and heavy street traffic. On that day the children in the local orphanage were assessed and treated for various common ailments. We are very grateful to all who made themselves available to help out in the medical clinics and work in this challenging environment. Vacation Bible school was held at the campus in Messailler and was attended by an immense number of children. 550 children were present by the time things were wrapping up. Each child would participate in various activities that would aim to share a portion of the Gospel message and the redemptive power of Jesus Christ. They would also receive a healthy meal and depart with a gift package. We are very thankful for the energetic and patient volunteers who helped to organize,

Child Sponsorship Program

run programs, and minister to the children. MTH Canada organizes and leads teams to Haiti on scheduled dates mostly in the fall and winter months. Please visit our website at: www.mthcanada.org or contact Jack Streef: mthcanada-jack@live.ca to receive more information on dates, trip focus, or general inquiries.

All of the children who are supported through your generous gifts are photographed each year so that we can issue you a new photo and keep an updated record on their progress in school. We visit each school where sponsored children are attending to see how the programs are running and to deliver your gift packages directly to your sponsor child. Any short-term mission attendee also has the opportunity to visit with their sponsored child is this is often a highlight for many people. Due to language barriers the exchange of words may be few, but the connection is often unforgettable. Many families can not afford to send their child to school and often this is the only way they are able to receive any kind of education. We ask that if you have sponsored a child you remember to submit your payments in a timely manner to reduce the administrative workload associated with administering this program and we thank you for your support in this initiative.

Page 3 Mission to Haiti Canada

A “pay it forward” program where goats are given to community members has continued this year. 24 goats were purchased and given to Haitians with instructions on how to care for the goat and for them to give the first offspring of that goat to another person in their community. The goal is to allow them to have a source of food (the goat’s milk) and income by selling the baby goats. Distribution of rice and beans has also continued this year. In addition to the rice and beans, soup and dried vegetables were also given to families in need. We are truly grateful to the Ontario Christian Gleaners as they donated a large quantity of soup which was shipped to Haiti in the fall. We have just received another generous donation of soup

packages from them and hope that we can continue to bless the Haitians with the provisions from the Gleaners organization. There are other donors who participate “behind the scenes” and we are so grateful for their support and confidence in our efforts to empower the Haitian people.

Community Initiatives

Long-Term Volunteers

Jeff and Chelsey Klasen have been in Haiti since November 2011 as they had a desire to serve in Haiti for a longer duration at this point in their lives. Jeff and Chelsey have been busy helping to facilitate construction of the housing development in Travo, working with the orphans, and assisting

Pastor Charles in various daily activities. Prayers for their safety and ability to work smoothly on a day to day basis would be greatly appreciated. Much gratitude is due them for their willingness to stay on in Haiti for an extended period of time and give so freely of themselves.

Page 4 Mission to Haiti Canada

Other News

Upcoming Dates:

In order to help Pastor Charles manage his busy schedule and large workload, a board has been formed for the PMH (Presbyterian Mission in Haiti) and a number of meetings occurred in Jan-uary with members of our board to facilitate clear communication of vision and direction and to coordinate the implementation of steps necessary to achieve that vision. Please pray that this new board will be able to help guide and assist Pastor Charles for the furthering of Christ’s kingdom here on earth. A new dump truck has been purchased for use with construction projects at PMH with the gener-ous help of STIMMA (Short Term International Medical Missions Abroad). STIMMA organizes and leads mission trips in many countries including Haiti where they plan to return in 2012. Thank you to STIMMA for supporting Charles by providing medical help, construction crews, and financially by contributing to the purchase of the dump truck.

In Closing

Thanks to all of you for taking the time to read this article; we hope you feel engaged and are interested in what is occurring in Haiti and are excited to see what will happen in the future. We look forward to seeing you, meeting you, or hearing from you with your comments, suggestions and friendly smiles. Until next time, may God bless you and keep you and your family and friends in His care.

Mission trips:

Nov. 5 - 17, 2012 (Full) (STIMMA Team - Medical, Construction (35 people)

Nov. 19 - 30, 2012 (Construction, VBS / Youth Ministry & Medical 35 people)

Jan. 14 – 25, 2013

Jan 28 – Feb 8, 2013

(Please note that availability may have changed on one or more of these teams since the printing of this newsletter.)

Golf Tournament: June 16, 2012 – Burford Links Golf Club

Golf Tournament

This year marks the 10th anniversary of the annual MTH Canada golf tournament which is to be held at Burford Golf Links on June 16, 2012. We are hoping to fill every potential participant slot this year and are also looking for corporate sponsorships and sponsors for our prize table. If you are in a position to consider sponsorship or would like to participate by golfing, forms are available for download on our website: www.mthcanada.org or you can contact Jack Streef at: 519-421-4376 for more information. The golf tour-nament is our primary source of fundraising for our ongoing work in Haiti and we hope you will consider either beginning or continuing to be involved with this event. A dinner only option is available for $35 if you are unable to make it for the golfing but would like to join in for the evening; please be advised that you must register in advance to take part in this option.