Mission Trip To:

 

H a i t i S u m m e r 2 0 1 5

E4:12 Mission Trip to ...

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ADDRESSING  THE  FOLLOWING  QUESTIONS:  

•      Where  would  we  be  going  and  why?  

•      Where  would  we  be  staying?  

•      Would  it  be  safe?  

•      When  would  we  go?  

•      Why  go  on  a  mission  trip?  

•      What  work  would  we  be  doing?  

•      What  else  would  we  see  and  do  there?  

•      Who  will  be  leading  the  trip?  

•      Who  can  participate?  

•      How  much  will  the  trip  cost?  

•      So…what  do  we  do  now?  

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"The   earthquake   didn't   just   affect   people   physically,   but   it  affected   the   lives   of   millions   of   Haitians   as   a   whole:  mind,  body   and   soul,"   said  Brad   Johnson,   President   of  Mission  of  Hope.   "Mission   of   Hope   has   shown   that   long-­‐term  transformation   and   effective   rebuilding   are   possible   but  require  a  holistic  approach  and  not  just  immediate  relief."  

WHERE?  COUNTRY  –  HAITI  Why  Haiti?  With  a  population  of  over  8  million  people,  

Haiti  is  the  poorest  country  in  the  Western  Hemisphere.  Haiti  has  the  third  highest  rate  of  hunger  in  the  world,  Behind  Somalia  and  Afghanistan.  Famine  like  conditions  

plague  many  parts  of  the  country.  Almost  90%  of  the  people  have  average  ANNUAL  incomes  that  equal  less    than  $500  in  US  currency.  And  more  than  80%  of  Haitians  

are  unemployed  and  live  without  running  water,  sanitation,  or  electricity.    

The  earthquake,  which  occurred  on  January  12,  2010,  registering  a  7.0  on  the  Richter  scale  struck  the  country  of  Haiti,  a  few  miles  outside  the  capital  of  Port-­‐Au-­‐Prince.    This  devastating  natural  disaster  killed  over  200,000  and  left  over  600,000  injured  or  homeless,  struggling  to  find  the  basic  resources  needed  for  survival  making  the  need.    The  effects    

of  this  devastation,  make  the  need  that  much  more  tremendous  –  even  now,  four  years  later.    

LOCATION  –  MISSION  OF  HOPE  (MOH)  HAITI  Why  Mission  of  Hope?  Mission  of  Hope  was  founded  by  Americans,  Bob  and  Sharon  Johnson,  of  Ind  iana.    In  1989,  they  were  able  to  acquire  a  piece  of  barren  land  just  north  of  Port  Au  Prince.    Their  vision  was  to  build  a  mission  complex  that  would  effectively  reach  out  and  minister  to  the  physical  and  spiritual  needs  of  the  less  fortunate  people  in  Haiti.    In  1998,  the  torch  was  passed  to  Bob  and  Sharon's  son,  Brad,  and  his  wife,  Vanessa  and  their  family  –  as  they  felt  the  call  on  their  lives  to  make  Haiti  their  home.  

Because  MOH  had  been  established  over  ten  years  before  the  earthquake  struck,  there  was  an  understanding  of  the  culture,  partnerships  had  been  established,  and  trust  had  been  built.  MOH’s  location,  just  37  driving  miles  from  the  earthquake's  epicenter,  enabled  their  staff  and  volunteers  to  respond  to  the  critical  needs  of  Haitians  most  impacted  by  the  disaster.    MOH  delivered  more  than  15  million  meals  to  Haitians  in  the  aftermath  of  the  earthquake,  while  evolving  as  an  organization  to  meet  ongoing  needs,  treating  thousands  of  injured  Haitians  through  its  on-­‐site  medical  facility  and  establishing  a  prosthetic  clinic,  still  in  operation.  

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                             

Currently,  the  Mission  of  Hope  Complex  sits  on  76  acres  of  land.  Approximately  1,200  children  are  enrolled  in  the  School  of  Hope,  the  Hope  House  Orphanage  houses  and  cares  for  65  children,  the  Clinic  of  Hope  treats  between  70  and  100  people  each  day  and  the  Hospital  of  Hope  is  in  the  works.    MOH  and  its  partners  are  committed  to  building  homes  for  650  displaced  families  and,  to  date,  over  400  of  these  stable,  concrete  homes  are  already  occupied.    Over    

   

 

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600  adults,  youth  children  come  from  surrounding  villages  to  attend  the  Church  of  Hope.    In  addition,  the  Mission  of  Hope  assists  close  to  200  children  in  four  other  orphanages  in  nearby  villages  through  the  Feed  A  Child  program.    MOH  also  contributes  to  the  local  economy  by  employing  over  150  Haitian  women  and  men.      

 MOH’s  funding  model  reflects  their  dedication  to  give  directly  to  Haitians  to  transform  Haiti  themselves.    Remarkably,  for  every  dollar  donated  to  MOH,  97  cents  is  directly  contributed  to  programming.    The  effectiveness  of  Mission  Of  Hope  is  unmatched  in  Haiti.  

 

WHERE:  Where would we be staying?  Mission  teams  are  housed  at  one  of  the  Mission  of  Hope  campuses.    Each  campus  has  rooms  with  running  water,  ceiling  fans,  bathrooms,  and  standard  electrical  outlets.  

 

                   

 Would  it  be  safe?  Safety  can  never  be  guaranteed  -­‐  in  any  country,  state,  or  province  which  may  be  visited  –  nor  can  it  be  guaranteed              if  you  remain  in  your  home  town,  for  that  matter.    However,  with  Haiti  being  a  third-­‐world  country  travels  can  sometimes  pose  a  higher  risk.    With  this  said,  security  and  safety  are  the  utmost  concern  for  Mission  of  Hope.    MOH  is  fortunate  in  that  their  Executive  Director,  St  Marc  Jean  Lubin,  worked  for  the  US  Embassy  in  Haiti  for  more  than  three  decades.    He  is  well-­‐informed  and  is  very  knowledgeable  concerning  the  true  situation  on  the  ground  in  Haiti.    If  there  is  ever  an  instance  when  he  thinks  we  need  to  postpone  trips  or  get  teams  out  of  the  country,  he  will  not  hesitate  to  make  that  decision.    Furthermore,  Mission  of  Hope  is  a  gated  community  located  in  the  foothills  –  out  in  the  country  and  not  in  a  highly  populated  urban  area.    (See  www.mohhaiti.org/trip_faqs  for  further  information.)  

 

One  of  the  Mission  of  Hope  campuses.  

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WHEN?  When  would  we  go?  The  summer  before  the  E4:12  girls’  senior  year  of  high  school,  summer  of  2015  (specific  dates  to  be  determined).    This  time-­‐frame  has  been  chosen  for  three  main  reasons:      

1  -­‐  We  have  a  number  of  athletes  and  performers  in  the  E4:12  group  who  may  be  hoping  to  receive  college  scholarship  offers  for  their  particular  sport  or  activity.    That  being  the  case  -­‐  camps  and  showcases,  which  take  place  over  the  course  of  the  summer  before  the  girls’  JUNIOR  year,  will  be  essential.    The  chance  of  our  girls  having  time  available  for  a  mission  trip  will  be  much  better  during  the  summer  before  their  SENIOR  year.      

2  -­‐  Experiencing  a  mission  trip  to  a  third  world  country  in  the  months  before  the  girls  begin  their  senior  year  of  high  school  could  offer  life  lessons  and  perspectives  which  could  be  tremendously  beneficial  as  our  daughters  finish  their  high  school  careers  and  prepare  to  go  off  to  college  or  begin  their  work  lives.      

3  -­‐  Planning  this  far  in  advance  will  give  us  more  time,  as  a  group,  to  raise  funds  and  help  off-­‐set  the  cost  of  the  trip.  

 

WHY?  Why  go  on  a  mission  trip?  Statistics  and  Facts  –    A  century  ago,  virtually  all  missionaries  had  to  commit  to  years  of  service.    In  more  recent  years,  the  “short-­‐term  mission  trip”  has  emerged.    These  journeys,  typically  lasting  from  a  few  days  to  several  weeks,  allow  people  to  put  faith  and  compassion  in  action  by  traveling  to  areas  of  great  need  to  serve  the  poor  or  disadvantaged.    A  2008  study  from  The  Barna  

Group  shows  that  most  of  the  people  who  embark  on  such  trips  describe  them  as  “life-­‐changing.”    In  fact,  three-­‐quarters  reported  that  the  experience  changed  their  life  in  some  way.    The  most  common  areas  of  personal  growth  that  people  recall  -­‐  even  years  later  -­‐  include  becoming  more  aware  of  other  people’s  struggles  (25%),  learning  more  about  poverty,  

justice,  or  the  world  (16%),  increasing  compassion  (11%),  deepening  or  enriching  their  faith  (9%),  broadening  their  spiritual  understanding  (9%),  and  boosting  their  financial  generosity  (5%).  Others  mentioned  the  experience  helped  them  feel  more  fulfilled,  become  more  grateful,  develop  new  friends,  and  pray  more.  

 Despite  increased  accessibility  and  personal  benefits,  most  Americans  have  never  experienced  a  short-­‐term  mission  trip  –  just  9%  of  the  general  American  population  and  only  11%  of  church-­‐goers.    Some  population  subgroups  were  more  likely  

than  average  to  participate  in  short  mission  trips:    adults  under  age  25,  residents  of  the  South  and  the  West,  college  graduates,  political  conservatives,  and  people  who  are  associated  with  a  faith  other  than  Christianity.  The  most  active  group  of  people  in  terms  of  short-­‐term  trips  was  evangelical  Christians  (23%  of  whom  had  taken  such  a  trip).    In  contrast  –    

residents  of  the  Northeast,  members  of  the  Catholic  church,  and  political  liberals  were  among  the  least  likely  to  go  on  mission  trips.    One  surprise  from  the  study  was  that  upper  and  upper-­‐middle  class  individuals  were  no  more  likely  than    lower-­‐middle  and  lower  class  adults  to  have  participated  in  a  short  term  mission  trip.      

 

Personal  Reasons  and  Experiences  –    From  Lori:    “I  have  never  been  on  a  mission  trip.    I  have  believed  that  when  the  time  was  right  and  God  wanted  me    to  go,  He’d  ‘let  me  know’.    I  have  been  feeling  very  led  to  pursue  both  the  domestic  (NYC)  and  international  (Haiti)  mission  trip  on  behalf  of  our  E4:12  group.    My  husband,  Steve,  has  been  very  supportive  and  feeling  similarly  led.    In  the  over  fifteen  years  since  we  became  followers  of  Christ,  many  of  our  friends  and  family  have  taken  mission  trips.        I  have  contacted  some  of  them  and  asked  them  to  respond  to  the  following  question  –  for  you.”  

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"I  would  encourage  you  to  take  part  in  your  group's  mission  trip  because…"                          

                                     

                 

             

“…it is honestly an experience you will never forget. I know everyone says that, but it's true. Going to Haiti was extremely fulfilling, humbling, and encouraging. The people there have nothing - but give everything when it comes to faith and family. The Haitian people showed me what true faith and unconditional love look like. The picture is of a boy named Ada that I met and although he didn't know it, he specifically taught me humility. His family had close to nothing but he kept saying how grateful he was for what God had given him. I would highly encourage you to go. You won't regret it.”

Laura LaPastora - Senior, Avondale HS Avondale High School Mission Team Mission of Hope Haiti - December 2010

“…It changed my life. After my week at Mission of Hope, I discovered home in Haiti. My relationship with God was rocked to its core and I left Haiti with a deeper and stronger relationship with Him.”

Megan Sack - Freshman, Michigan State Avondale High School Mission Team Mission of Hope Haiti - November 2013

“…it develops you into a person who thinks of and truly cares about others. We all grow up thinking primarily of ourselves with a self-centered outlook. Being aware of a world that is different than yours, people who look and live differently than you, and realizing your place (one of privilege and GREAT responsibility to others) is central to maturing into a caring adult and Christian.”

Mitzi van der Harst – Troy, MI Compassion International Group Tour Compassion Child Center Haiti – March 2012

“…it was incredibly eye opening for me. It is so different to actually experience something like the situation in Haiti as opposed to just seeing it on the news all of the time. It is amazing and humbling to be a part of the work that Mission of Hope is doing to improve the lives of Haitians. I am so glad that I was able to intern for them and I would do it again in a heartbeat.”

Andy LaPastora – US Air Force Enlistee Initial visit with Avondale HS group, Dec 2010 Mission of Hope Intern, June-August 2011

“…it will change your life. Friendships made on mission trips are forever. There is something about serving others in the name of Jesus that will GLUE you to others that share your experience. The experiences are unmatched. I believe that your life will change forever before you ever leave home because of your desire to serve in His name!”

Rachel O'Neill – Brownstown, MI Little Dresses for Africa trip Gambia, Africa - 2011

“…while you initially think you're going to help the people in the country you're visiting (and you do) you end up getting way more out of the experience by finally understanding why you were given the gifts you have and how great it feels to use them to help others! Also, going with my High School age daughter really opened her eyes to how blessed we are and how much stuff we have that we really don't need. She came back with a whole different attitude and a renewed commitment to help other less fortunate than herself.”

Frank Ryde – Lake Orion, MI Kensington Community Church in Orion, MI La Carpio, Costa Rica – July 2012

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“…God calls us to be his hands and feet to those in the world who are in need – and it will change your life.”

Karen Nicholas – Shelby Township, MI Kensington Community Church in Troy, MI Kenya, Africa - 2013

“…it makes you realize that kids are kids - no matter where you go! Children just want to be loved, cared about, play games, hear their names spoken, receive a heartfelt hug, and a loving smile. Children in poverty just want to be loved like all kids want to be loved! Poverty is something that can be studied in a class, but the only real way to understand it is to live amongst the poor.”

Beth Cooley – Plymouth, MI Life Church in Canton, MI Ebenezer Glenn Orphanage Dessalines, Haiti – October 2013

Nicholas Naseef – sophomore, Oakland University Crossroads Methodist Church – Ashburn, VA Bensonton, Jamaica – July 2010

"…every person in the first world should experience life in the third world in order to understand just how lucky they are."

“…I never really understood or appreciated what it meant to live in a ‘nation under God’ until I experienced the culture of a nation where that was not the case and where, at times, I sensed and discerned that void and the darkness that comes from it. I have always lived with a light and a sense of protection that I wasn't really even aware of - and I appreciate it much more fully now."

Amy Wade – Lake Orion, MI Faith Church in Rochester, MI Jamaica – February 2010

“…it is an opportunity for obedience that brings us closer to the heart of Christ. You have been blessed (both materially and in a saving relationship with Christ) in order to be a blessing and by stepping out to serve the lost and broken you are being that blessing and coming closer to the heart of Christ by actively becoming His hands and feet in a broken world.”

Bethany Ellis - East Greenwich, RI Georgetown University Graduate International Justice Mission Intern Frontline Church Trip – Arlington, VA Mission of Hope Haiti - March 2013

“…I am so excited for you girls to be able to have this opportunity... it is an experience that you will not want to pass up. After having the amazing privilege of going twice, part of my heart is still in Haiti. God can use each one of you to love on a child, help clean up or build a home, or to encourage an adult. Honestly, I wish I could go with you! J

Ericka Seidel – Woodside Bible Church Staff Student Ministries Admin and Intern Woodside Bible Church in Lake Orion, MI Mission of Hope Haiti – April, 2013

"I  would  encourage  you  

to  take  part  in  

your  group's  mission  

trip  because…"  

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“…as far as missions trips go, I was of the generation where the idea of sending your high school or college student out of state or country was really starting to catch on. Throughout high school and college, I went to a number of places: - 2000 Denver, Colorado - public service, and street evangelism. - 2001 Mexico – helping in food pantries and home building. (It was in Mexico that I saw people in poverty for the first time, and experienced international worship for the first time.) - 2002 South Africa - children's ministry work. (I have since been back five times.) - 2003 Rome, Italy - Street evangelism, and encouraging Campus Crusade’s long-term staff in Italy. - Plus other domestic mission trips as a youth leader.

                                     

“…My wife, Jenny, and I and each of our three daughters (Sammie, Steph, and Stacy) have gone on mission trips outside of the US and I would highly recommend this for parents of high school students for several reasons: First, participating in the great commission of spreading the Gospel dramatically strengthens their faith and helps them see how God does His work through them. Second, the exposure to life outside of America shows a stark contrast between our world and the rest of the world, giving a perspective that cannot be fully appreciated through the media or the Internet. Third, the service aspect is a humbling experience that instills the value of helping others, which will stay with them throughout their lives. Finally, mission trips are life experiences that are very impactful on college applications as differentiators that show depth of character and present evidence of service to mankind that colleges highly value.”

Alan Bosma – Marietta, GA Johnson Ferry Baptist Church in Marietta, GA Peru and The Dominican Republic

The number one thing that I can say about my experiences, both stateside and abroad, was that I was able to enter adulthood with a global perspective. It is so easy for a young woman in our country - growing up in southeastern Michigan - to have a narrow under- standing of what the world is actually like. Many of us are given so much, filled with expectations of marriage, children, a fulfilling career, purchasing our own little ‘McMansions’ someday, etc…and we assume that the rest of the world is in the same boat we are. For me, traveling around the world (with money I had earned or fundraised - not given to me by my parents) at a young age helped me keep my head on straight. I was able to make decisions – not based on what other people's expectations were for me - but based on what God had created me to do and was calling me into. I have been able to deal with the ups and downs of life with joy and hope because I know that the picture perfect life that we dream of as Americans is not what life is ultimately about. It has allowed me to be more generous and compassionate with what I do have and to constantly be thinking about how I can impact, care for, and love those around me instead of just trying to take care of myself.”

Amanda Sadlier – mother of five, church planter Hope Tots/Kids Director - Hope Church NYC Sadlier family – South Africa and (more Sadliers) New York City

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WHAT?  What  work  would  we  be  doing?  There  is  still  much  work  to  be  done  in  Haiti,  post-­‐earthquake.    The  week’s  activities  would  be  planned  by  an  experienced  MOH  Mission  Trip  Coordinator.    The  specific  itinerary  would  be  received  upon  arrival  to  the  mission.    Activities  would  consist  of  light  construction  work  (such  as  painting)  and  children's  activities  at  the  MOH  facility  or  with  a  local  church  in  a  surrounding  village.    

 What  else  would  we  see  and  do  there?    

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

                               

   

Ground  transportation  provided  by  MOH,  called  a  “canter.”  

 

Haitian  cuisine  is  kréyol  cuisine  –  a  mixture  of  French,  African,  Spanish  and  indigenous  cooking  methods.    Rice  and  beans  (dire  ak  pwa)  are  a  staple.    Vegetable  and  meat  stews  are  popular,  too.  Goat,  beef,  chicken  and  fish  are  complemented  with  plantains,  cabbage,  tomatoes  and  peppers.    

   

schools  

     

earthquake-­‐caused  amputations  

     

               street  vendors  

 

church  services  

   

 

typical  campus  room  

       A  team

 doing  the  dishes  

10

WHAT:  Both  beautiful  and  heartbreaking  sights.  

                                                   

     

Wahoo  Beach  Resort,  where  we  would  get  to  spend  one  full  day.  

     

A  more  common  sight  in  Haiti.  

     

Those  with  new  homes  after  losing  theirs  in  the  earthquake.  

     

Those  still  living  in  tents  –  four  years  after  the  earthquake.  

     

Children  who  have  shelter,  food,  and  care  because  of  MOH.  

     

                           Children  who,  as  of  yet,  do  not.  

Sights  you  would  never  see  at  home.  

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WHO?  Who  will  be  leading  the  trip?  Team  Leaders:    Steve  and  Lori  Naseef                                                                                                                                  

Pre-­‐Mission  Trip  Advisor:    Karen  Nicholas,                                            Local/Global  Outreach  for  Kensington  Community  Church  

Pre-­‐Mission  Trip  Mentor:    Todd  Henderson,  experienced    MOH  mission  team  leader  (has  been  to  Haiti  thirteen  times)  

 

Who  can  participate?  Our  mission  trip  will  be  considered  a  “closed”  group,  specifically  for  E4:12  –  as  opposed  to  an  “open”  group  which  is  made  available  to  the  public  via  the  Kensington  Community  Church  website.    Each  of  the  girls  in  the  E4:12  group  and  all  family  members  (parents,  siblings,  etc.)  are  invited  to  be  a  part  of  our  E4:12  mission  trip  team.          

 

Is  there  an  age  limit?  MOH’s  minimum  age  for  participating  as  part  of  a  mission  team  is  six  years  old.    Any  children  twelve  or  under  who  are  part  of  the  team  must  have  their  own  parent  or  guardian  serving  as  part  of  the  team  as  well.      

 

   HOW  MUCH?  How  much  would  the  trip  cost?  Estimated  MOH  mission  trip  cost  breakdown  is  as  follows:  

• Airline  flight:    fluctuates  between  $850  and  $1150  (flights  are  the  greatest  expense)  

• MOH's  fees  are  $575  –  which  includes  food  and  ground  transportation  

• Food  and  supplies  teams  are  required  to  bring  from  home  to  MOH  -­‐  $25  to  $35  per  person  

• Approximately  $250  for  team  expenses  throughout  the  week,  divided  among  team  members  

• Team  t-­‐shirt  -­‐  about  $7  or  $8  per  team  member  

Estimating  trip  cost  to  be  $1800.00.    

 How  can  we  afford  this  trip,  especially  if  more  than  one  family  member  is  interested?  • We  will  pray  for  guidance  and  wisdom  for  all  aspects  of  the  trip,  including  fundraising.  • Through  the  E4:12  and  provideInc  relationship,  we  will  initiate  various  fundraisers  with  the  E4:12  girls  (ideas  welcome!)  • Mission  team  members  will  be  encouraged  (but  not  required)  to  send  sponsorship  letters  to  friends  and  family  members.  

 

SO…WHAT  DO  WE  DO  NOW?  Please  share  this  information  with  your  daughter,  or  perhaps  discuss  as  a  family.    Please  gauge  your  initial  interest  and  contact  me  via  email  at  Lori@provideInc.org  to  let  me  know  the  following  ASAP.    Note  –  expressing  interest  does  not  OBLIGATE  you  in  any  way.    We  just  need  to  begin  to  get  an  idea  concerning  possible  mission  team  participation:  

1  -­‐  Your  E4:12  member’s  initial  interest  level:  2  –  Names  of  additional  family  members  interested  (if  applicable)  and  their  initial  interest  level:    

very  interested                    interested                    somewhat  interested                    not  interested        Thank  you!    Please  feel  free  to  contact  me  with  any  questions  or  input.      Sincerely,  Lori  Naseef  

 

Karen  Nicholas  Kenya  -­‐  2013  

 

Todd  Henderson  with  daughters  adopted  from  

Haiti  -­‐  2013