Vision 4 Haiti Report

2011

 The things we are doing now are life changing, not only for the people in Haiti but also for the people in the U.S. who are involved with the changing of lives. One of the things we do as a collective group is, organize fundraisers (after each annual visit to Pignon).  One year we may have an event like a banquet. The next year it might be a concert or both. The idea is to bring people together and to show them through pictures and video the wonderful and marvelous things that are happening in Haiti. The goal of these fundraisers is to raise money to facilitate life changing work in Pignon. Monies from these events have gone to the fresh water well project, construction, clothing and food for those who have no resources in the villages. There is so much to be done in Haiti. There are diseases to fight, bellies to fill, and no time to waste. 

  Annually in February we leave our homes and loved ones to fellowship with our family in Pignon, Haiti.  Every year the experience is different and new. We continually learn more about the people we serve and more about ourselves in serving.  In 2007-09 we had plans for development of a fresh water well project. After our annual trip to Haiti in February of 09, we are elated to report that the fresh water well is complete and operational. This project is very meaningful to the village in Pignon. It not only brings fresh water free of disease carrying organisms, but we as an organization truly know it is life giving water to Pignon and its surrounding communities. Now the people in the villages don’t have to drink from muddy rivers or unsanitary and contaminated wells; they have fresh water to drink. Their children can have a healthy start in life by having fresh water to drink. Vision 4 Haiti is looking forward to the things we will accomplish in the years to come. We will effortlessly pour out all that is within us to our family and loved ones in Pignon, Haiti.

 The excitement grows every year because; there is no limit to where we’re being taken or where we’ll end up in this journey. Therefore, we as an organization want to provide the people of Pignon with the same basic life necessities that we enjoy in the U.S. which are: water, food, clothing, health, life and shelter.

 In an effort to meet these needs, we have begun by first, giving living water through the fresh water well. Next, is to meet the need of health and life.  In this effort we have plans to build a centrally located medical facility for the people in Pignon. The people in this village and its surrounding villages have to walk miles and miles to get medical help; and often they have to carry their loved ones in their arms or on a hand made stretcher. Most of these villages for example: Labelle Mare, Baliares, Saint Raphahel, Maissade and Lavictoire are at least 15-20 miles or more from a medical facility. Picture in your mind if you will, trying to get your loved one to a nearby medical facility where driving takes 5 hours or more and walking it takes days. If you’re carrying someone, imagine the load to bare, and then try to think of a method of getting people to a medical facility in an emergency. Most of Haiti’s transportation is: motor bikes, donkeys, 2-wheel bicycles, cart and oxen, horses, and of course walking. Very few people own vehicles in Pignon. Remember this is one of the poorest countries in the western hemisphere. There is little electricity and no running water.  

 This medical facility will allow people to get quality health care service whether they can pay or not. We will deal with the issues of staffing, medicals supplies, building materials etc. at a later date.  For know this is what we have determined in our hearts and minds to accomplished in the next few years. This is an awesome task and it can be done.  In doing so, we will be fulfilling our vision and mission statement (stated below) and this medical facility will be the manifestation of those statements. At this point money is not the issue, but reaching the world through our compassion, with a ministry of hope is our goal with the promotion of development and economic certainty.

 Haiti is making progress.  In 2005 a private company donated a mile of light poles to produce electricity.  Lights are not on 24/7 like in the US, but this is a start for Pignon. During our trip in 2009 we saw the beginning of paved roads. The last few years we have rode on roads that seemed more like trails. They were jagged, dusty and bumpy with steep holes filled with big rocks. You could only go about 5-10 mph and sometimes you had to speed up just to make it over the hills. This made travel long and hard. It takes at least 4-5 hours just to get to the capital city, Cap Haitien from Pignon; and that’s if there are no complications like axel or tire damage. Development is coming along with change and we have witnessed the development of Christian schools, a sugar mill, and a chicken farm and have been integrally involved in the digging of fresh water well in the village of Pignon, Haiti.

 Another part of our vision is to empower Jerusalem Baptiste Missions and the fifteen churches they have established and the thirty satellite locations to be viable, self supporting Christian worship communities.

 Our appeal to you is for you to join us on this wonderful journey. We invite you to be a part of our vision. Experience the joy in serving others and let that joy over take and overflow through you to others. Your life will be changed and you will see the world through new eyes…the Eyes of Christ. 

 Are you ready for the journey?