Fresh off our trip to Haiti, we wanted to share some of the big trip highlights. Team members were in-country from July 1st – 8th, and much was accomplished.
Our Special Projects Officer, Brady Cillo, arrived in-country on the 1st of July and laid some groundwork for the rest of the team that would be arriving on the 4th. Brady used the services of Haitian Creole Tour for transportation and translation, and met with several people in the Espwa network, including Dr. Eugene Maklin, Paul Guerrier, and Frantz Louis-Charles (our in-country Haitian team members). Other tasks included meeting with Pastor Benjamin Fleurant to discuss a potential partnership between EBAC Church and the Peace & Joy Family project, meeting with the Peace & Joy families to discuss our long term vision of small businesses, and touring the hospital where Espwa has sponsored medical care for the Peace & Joy children. Brady also fulfilled one of his dreams by hiking the mountain north of Cap Haitien with a group of teenage orphans from EBAC Orphanage – 2000 foot elevation gain was a bit rough in the summer heat, but the view was spectacular.
On July 4th, our VP, Chris Pfeiffer, arrived with a team from Pleasant Hills Community Church. The team of 12 had gone through Espwa’s pre-trip training and was ready to make an impact in Haiti by “helping without hurting.” The team showed love to our friends at EBAC orphanage, executed this year’s Peace & Joy beach trip, built and painted some benches for the Peace & Joy families, checked in on Dr. Maklin’s hospital construction, saw Jovenel’s farm, and painted St. Anthony’s Medical Clinic.
One of the most exciting parts of the trip (after the beach trip!) was on Tuesday when all the Peace & Joy families met at William Guerrier’s property for a day of learning about light vs. darkness. The team had packed solar light kits in their suitcases and delivered them to each family. We spent a day of assembling the units, and then Pastor Benjamin Fleurant passed out copies of the New Testament and preached to the families about how Jesus is the One True Light. It was a powerful sermon and we hope the beginning of an amazing partnership between EBAC Church and the Peace & Joy families. Pastor Benjamin has already set up a Bible study with the families with a first meeting in early August.
Thanks to all who prayed, funded, and engaged with us throughout the planning and execution of this trip. Your hard work and dedication does not go unnoticed – we couldn’t do it without all our faithful supporters!