A Minute for Mission

Today I was honored to stand before the Westminster congregation and report on my activities in Haiti. I was proud to tell them all that had been accomplished in La Croix and all that was being done by the mission. Here is what I said:

Good morning everyone. I am pleased to tell you that the La Croix New Testament Mission in La Croix Haiti is serving its community’s spiritual and material needs. The mission is delivering the message hope to the community both in word and in deed.

When I went down the Haiti in September, I was fortunate set out to help develop a vocational school that would educate masons, electricians, welders, and skilled artisans of all kinds to help Haiti better develop its infrastructure. The school is moving along very well. This past fall the school began as a pilot program and will move forward to incorporate over 75 students next fall. There is lots of growth in these industries and we are excited to supply the Haiti with a group of well-trained artisans who will build up Haiti’s future infrastructure. 

Recently, the community of La Croix was quite grateful to receive volunteers from Westminster. There were Westminster volunteers who came down in February for two weeks and a group of high school volunteers who came over the week of Thanksgiving. During these trips Westminster was able to help distribute food to some of the communities that were hit hardest by the summer storms. The people in these areas are really struggling and the food we were able to give out made a true difference in those communities.

While I was in Haiti last fall I began to take on smaller projects, specifically one that allows American families to donate goats and cows to Haitian families. Most Haitian families do not have access to formal credit and because of this, the only way families in Haiti can cover large expenses like school tuition, medical bills, or large home repairs is by selling an animal when the expenses need to be made. A goat or a cow can provide a pathway out of poverty for many poor families in Haiti.

If you are interested in purchasing a goat or cow for a family in Haiti, please see me after the service in the Narthex*. Giving a goat costs $60 and giving a cow costs $275. These animals can be given in someone’s honor, and are an ideal alternative gift for Mother’s Day. If you sponsor a child in La Croix, you can donate the goat or cow to that child’s family.

Thank you for your support of the La Croix mission. Every little bit of help we give to the mission makes a great difference. Thank you

*This will be modified for the bridge