HAITI TRIP MARCH 16 21, 2013

Transcription

1 HAITI TRIP MARCH 16 21, 2013 COST: $1400 going to Haitians Helping Haitians (for airline ticket, room/board fees), baggage fee, and misc. expenses, food/snacks while traveling in Haiti. You are responsible for your own airport money or cash to buy souvenirs. MISSION OVERVIEW: Prison ministry and distribute shoes collected from home, w/ WYAM. Worship/prayer training of local community, musicians, and church leaders Kids crusade and marriage seminar Prayer for the sick in hospital and distribute supplies Orphan ministry. TENTATIVE SCHEDULE: Sunday, March 16 Travel day, get settled at the ministry home, do any sorting of supplies to prepare for the week. 6:30 Pastor Astrel dinner. Monday, March 17 Prison Ministry, distribute shoes, worship in Saint Marc. Rest at beach in Pierre Payen on way home. ($600 $800 for feeding the prisoners). Pick up rice from Pastor Moleus in Mountrois (wife Marie Carmel) on the way. Tuesday, March 18 Morning 9am Noon: Worship/Prayer training with locals and people from Croix des Bouquets church. Lunch at home, feed the people. Prepare for evening ministry at church. 6 8 pm: Kids Crusade & Marriage Seminar at church. Wednesday, March 19 Morning 9am Noon: Worship/Prayer training with locals and people from Croix des Bouquets church. Lunch at home, feed the people. Prepare for evening ministry at church. 6 8 pm: Kids Crusade & Marriage Seminar at church. Thursday, March 20 7:30am GLA orphanage visit, loving on babies in Kenscoff, Haiti Lunch at Epidor 3 5pm Port Au Prince hospital maternity ward, prayer over moms, babies, the sick. Distribute blankets and supplies. Dinner at home, begin packing. Friday, March 21 travel day home.

2 FIRST STEPS: Write fundraising letter. $800 due by December 1 for purchase of ticket. $200 more due by Jan 15. Balance due by March 1st. Checks made payable to Haitians Helping Haitians, with [Your Name] March 2014 in the memo. Begin connecting with people and organizations about shoe donations, supplies for moms/newborns at hospital (pads, formula, new onsies, diapers, wipes, desitin, baby powder, etc.), and stuff to give kids/parents at the crusade/seminar. NEED TO KNOW: Adults should plan to do any personal clothing/items in your carryon. Two suitcases each full of supplies/donations will be checked baggage. First one is free, second is $40. If the suitcases need to come home with you, make sure one suitcase/bag can fit inside the larger one so you are only checking one on the way home. Kid s can do a backpack carry on, and 1 checked baggage. Bring your own pillow and towels, mosquito netting, bug spray, sunscreen, hand sanitizer (lots of it!), sanitizing wipes, kleenex, personal medications. Be aware refrigeration is not guaranteed because of unpredictable electricity access.

3 TEAM INFORMATION PACKET Destiny Church / Worship, Prayer, Kids, Orphans, Prison Sunday, March 16th Friday, March 21st 2014 Where are you staying? Santos 19. #30 Croix des Bouquets, Port au Prince, Haiti. THIS INFORMATION WILL NEED TO BE ON YOUR PERSON WHILE ON THE PLANE TO HAITI ALONG WITH THE PHONE NUMBER BELOW. You will have to fill out a form asking the address of where you're staying. Residing there are Diesmy Garcon, the Coordinator of Operations with his wife, Viliene, and their preschooler, Villie, and a eight year old girl named Widlove who was saved from being a personal slave to a family; and Shaun Mckee, our full time missionary from the U.S. with his lovely wife, Rastride. Number for people to contact: (this is needed for the forms on the plane, as well). You will be able to Skype or Facebook family and friends at least 3xs during your stay. We encourage everyone to do this upon arrival, after settling down in ministry home. The home has eight bedrooms with bunkbeds, four full bathrooms, 2 living rooms, large dining area, 2 extra rooms we use for sorting supplies, several balconies, and an enclosed porch. There will be ceiling fans to help you keep cool by January 2014 (sometimes in Port au Prince there is electricity from midnight 6am, after that it's unpredictable through the day). So, when the power goes on charge your cameras, cell phones, etc. We can run the generator if necessary. Haiti: located in the Caribbean. It is 1/3 of the island Hispaniola and the Dominican Republic occupies the other 2/3. Language: French and Creole. Most educated Haitians speak French, Creole, English, and Spanish. Population: 8,925,000. Literacy: 50's%. Religion: Christianity & Voodoo. Food: red beans and rice, plantains, deep fried meats, soups with vegetables, vegetable stew, peanut butter, various breads, and eggs. Haiti Living Guidelines: NEVER put tissues in toilet. It WILL get clogged. Tissue goes into a plastic bag and is thrown out immediately...so bring a lot of diaper genie style plastic bags. Only flush after #2 or if #1 has a strong odor because we can run out of water. Do not use too much shower water (it's cold which feels nice there) as you can cause the next person to run out of water in the middle of a soap down: ) Dress modestly even in the ministry home. Pajamas are fine and so are tank tops that are not low cut. We need to respect one another and God at all times. You'd be surprised

4 how many visitors come to the ministry home at different times of the day for ministry so we need to be ready in and out of season. We provide treated water at all times. We buy soda from a shop next door and everyone is required to give at least $1.00 toward each bottle they drink. The funds go to the purchase of more soda and food for the dog. You are under the covering of Haitians Helping Haitians and representing our Lord in Haiti so please carry yourself modestly, remain on the premises unless leaving with a team leader and respect those residing there. Guests eat it all! If you have diet restrictions or allergies please speak to your team leader about this now. Due to poverty and starvation it is vital that you eat what you serve yourself. So start out with small portions if you're not sure about the food. Also, please take care of your personal items, keeping the home as clean as possible. You may help staff clean up at the end of each meal. Every team member is encouraged to wash their plates when they are done. WE PRAY IN UNISON: before we eat, EVERY TIME before we leave for ministry work, after recap/before bed...and MUCH MORE. Speak positively. No malicious talk...at ALL. This is a trip so we may get on each other's nerves but we must always put on the character of Christ. No negative comments about any team members. If you have any issues that private prayer does not appear to resolve your team leader is your only "go to" person. TRIP PREP *Pray for unity within this team, the Holy Spirit to move through us ALWAYS, everything on the schedule below, your family that you will be leaving behind, your health and safety; etc. *You may take malaria pills or the following vaccines, although NOT required: Hep A/B, typhoid, Tetanus, and CIPRO. Visit for additional information. *Be mindful of your appearance...dress MODESTLY. If your pants, ladies, are just a little loose they will be quite snug in Haiti due to the heat. No short shorts or short skirts. If you're not certain of length please bring them to the next team prep meeting. No shirts that show the stomach when you raise your arms (which you may do to worship and also when you pray for someone). Do not wear dirty or torn clothes, please. Men, if you have any nice button down shirts and slacks to donate we ask that you consider donating them to the local pastors first because the work they do wears their clothes out! Men may wear Bermuda or Cargo shorts but slacks and buttoned shirts for church, please. You may want to bring extra boxers for men leaders as they tend to go without. Ladies, you may wear long pants and jeans but they can not be tight. Skirts or dresses ONLY, ladies, for all church services. Spaghetti straps are not allowed in outings nor any tops that show cleavage. I like to wear tank tops under all my tops and dresses because when working with children we bend down a lot so it gives you extra coverage. It is always chilly on the plane so you may want to bring a blanket or sweater, also on some early mornings it can be chilly on our long drive to the prison in St. Marc. Due to a lot of walking, sneakers or hiking shoes are a great idea although flip flops are fine. Again, anything you bring that you can donate

5 would be great. Like my family, if you plan on returning to Haiti soon after this trip you may want to leave some things for yourself in the closet so that you don't need to bring so much personal stuff on your next trip. *You are responsible to bring your own toiletries, which you can donate to team leaders at end of trip or anyone you see in great need. You are responsible to bring one bath towel and your own wash cloths. Here is a list that you can check off when packing: toothbrush, toothpaste, bar of soap/liquid soap, shampoo/conditioner and styling products, deodorant, unscented body lotion (mosquitioes love the scented ones and BLACK clothing) razor and blades, contacts with solution (there is a lot of sand in Haiti so be mindful of that), BUG SPRAY (an exaggerated amount will be good...i spray down before bed and before going out), wet wipes, hand sanitizer, allergy or headache medicine, feminine products, anti diarrhea/motion sickness/nausea meds, travel size Kleenex. Other supplies may include: Bible, journal, pens, travel fan, batteries, camera with charger, cell phone (make sure you turn off data$$$ or get a plan) with charger, pillow and twin sheet set (if you're picky like me because ours get worn out from all the other teams), sunglasses (necessary for dust), BENADRYL, many pony tail holders, sun screen, ear plugs for flying/snoring in room, FLASHLIGHT (for black outs which happen DAILY/NIGHTLY), personal medications, vitamins, and while we're at it: granola bars, dried fruit, nuts, protein bars, dried jerky; etc, for when we're so busy ministering we miss lunch...this has happened!!! *BRING A MOSQUITO NET if you can (floor to ceiling)* Disposable raincoats can be helpful as well. There are moquitoes, cockroaches, tarantulas, and other little creatures everywhere. *Headbands for when you sleep (to cover ears and keep sweat down). We keep the doors open to let air in during the day so... *Make 2 copies of passports and driver's licenses. Give one to your team leader and the other set stays in the ministry home at all times. Keep your original passports, tickets, ministry home address and contact info, and driver's license on your person at ALL TIMES when outside of the ministry home. PLEASE DO NOT SET THESE ITEMS DOWN...EVER. Waist pouches are a GREAT idea as well as side sling (for lack of a better term) backpacks. *Luggage weight can not be above 50lbs and not over 62 inches long. Everyone needs to bring at least 2 large suitcases (cost is covered) for supplies and their large toiletry liquids which are not permitted in carry ons. Please make every attempt to fill your carry on (40lbs and no more than 45" long) with your clothes and other personal items just in case your check ins DON'T MAKE IT. You can have no liquids IN YOUR CARRY ON at more than 3.5 ounces and all liquids must be placed in ONE quart sized ziplock bag. I typically bring an "official" carryon and a backpack as my personal item on the plane. *DO NOT bring or wear any valuable jewelry. I always remove my engagement ring a week before departing so I remember. We don't want anything to draw attention to ourselves...just to Christ, you know? Again, you may want to consider bringing a fanny pack, money belt, or mini backpack to carry your personal belongings for ministry outtings. There are certain places where you can withdraw funds...but it's best to bring cash for purchases in Haiti. We will change your money for you on the day of your arrival while you're settling in and sorting donations. You can bring your plastic for purchases in the airport; etc. You are responsible for meals purchased at airport, outside of ministry home and for souveniers.

6 WHILE IN HAITI 1. When doing ministry NEVER strike out on your own. ALWAYS have a Haitian team member with you. Remember, even the Lone Ranger had Tanto: ) Currently, you have 2 or more interpreters. Sometimes we work with other ministries for interpreters and other churches for training. Please treat every member as a member of your team. 2. Please respect the culture. Haitians are openly affectionate. Men hold hands at times! Women give full frontal hugs and young men blow kisses from the streets. Try your best not to be offended and to remember that you are in Haiti SOLELY to represent Christ. You will learn short creole choruses that are easy to remember so please BE COMFORTABLE and sing with your Haitian teammates. Engage. 3. DRINK A LOT OF WATER! We purchase filtered water which you can fill your water jugs with. You can also purchase sealed bottle water on a long day out. 4. DO NOT TAKE PICTURES without permission from a team leader. Usually it's okay where we're working but sometimes people become very sensitive. Imagine a bunch of Haitians taking pictures of you at your local grocery store. 5. While it can be VERY frustrating, try to adjust to Haitian Time. Everyone is always running late. Cars break down. Most people don't have clocks or watches to keep up. So basically "I'll see you at eight in the morning" can mean anytime from 6am 11am...because that's the morning! Please know that I completely sympathize with you as it is also frustrating to me. 6. Do not promise to anyone that you will return to Haiti. Every time I go back they remind me that a former team member promised to come and they are disappointed. Don't distribute money without asking a team leader and tell us if someone asks you for ANYTHING. Do not promise to give anyone anything and show NO PREFERENTIAL treatment. You can ABSOLUTELY bless Shaun or Diesmy's family as they live off of support from family and friends only. There is no need to tell me about that.