First Presbyterian Church of Lake Alfred Mission Trip 2015 Ganthier, Haiti with Foundation for Peace (NJ) The Beatitudes: Are You Feeling Blessed? Matthew 5: 1-12 (Mission Trip Theme: When the world says don t, God says do and the Sprit shows up in the Messiness) December 31, 2014 Greetings to you who are volunteering for the Seasoned Folks Haiti mission trip. For the past three years, I have had the privilege of journeying with a group of young and older adults each year to Ganthier, Kwa Kok and Despizo, Haiti to help build a local professional school, a new grade school, and latrines. The trip would be impossible without the assistance of Foundation for Peace and local Haitians. They provide the infrastructure for these mission trips that prove so worthwhile for everyone. In October of 2012, the ground floor of the first building was dedicated and today the second floor, the roof and new computers have been installed in this building. This past August our group was able to complete the second floor walls adding five new class rooms. Now more than 500 students are learning English and Spanish. In 2015 the school will be offering a two year program in business administration taught by a local Haitian with an MBA. The school is situated on five acres and will ultimately include three additional class room buildings with plans to also provide mid-level medical instruction to Haitians. The complex will most likely include an administration building, a chapel and an internet café. Lastly, our group was able to add to the construction of the new school in the remote village of Kwa Kok where the closest school is 15 miles away. This trip enables you, to reach out beyond the local Tampa, Boston, Chicago, Washington DC and metro NYC area to provide much needed assistance in the poorest country in the Western Hemisphere. Haiti has endured a seemingly unending barrage of failed leadership, promised but never delivered aid and natural disasters, the last being the devastating earthquake in January 2010 that inspired many groups around the world to act. Now First Presbyterian Church of Lake Alfred has the opportunity to support this trip. This trip for seasoned folks over thirty will be from Thursday, August 20 th to Saturday, August 29 th 2015. We will be working with Foundation for Peace, founded in 2002 which began its work in the Dominican Republic and since expanded its mission work to Haiti in 2005 and Kenya in 2007. The trip, which is limited to 25 people from across the U. S., is open to anyone and you do not have to be a member of FPLA or the Depository Trust & Clearing Corporation, my employer. However, participants must be 18 years of age or older and have 1
graduated from high school or if they are accompanied by their parent be 16 by the time we leave on August 6, 2015. Previous mission trip experience is a plus but not required. All you need is a willingness to be open to new experiences and live in challenging conditions for ten days. Think of it as a step above camping. The deadline for guaranteed admission is Sunday, February 15, 2015. After that, all applicants will be placed on a first-come, first-served basis pending availability. Foundation for Peace Dr. Ken Culver, Executive Director of Foundation for Peace, a scientist and doctor is the founder of Foundation for Peace. He along with Wendy Patchin the Director of International Missions, have long been involved with mission work in the Dominican Republic, Haiti and now Kenya. You can view the work of FFP by going to www.foundationforpeace.org. As an organization primarily staffed by volunteers, they are able to keep administrative and fundraising expenses to less than two percent so they provide as much money as possible to the communities they serve. Work This trip has five main ministry activities: the earthquake proof school construction project in Ganthier about 1½ hours east of Port-au-Prince, the construction of the new school in Kwa Kok, Vacation Bible School activities for children while worshiping in Kwa Kok at Pastor Michel Valentin s church (the FFP leader in Haiti), visiting the children at the Centre D Action Pour Le Developpement (CAD), a self-funded orphanage that houses children left homeless from the January 2010 earthquake and distributing hygiene kits or potable water to a local village. There will also be devotion and small group meetings to reflect on the day s events, one day at a beach resort, an opportunity to teach English, participation in a soccer game, island tour or opportunity to purchase souvenirs and time for relaxation. The physical work is non-technical and done hand in hand with Haitian friends. The tasks include: working with concrete blocks, sand, gravel, and water, mixing concrete, digging footings and painting. If something needs training, such as laying blocks or tiles, it will be provided at the work site by the construction manager. The work is somewhat physically strenuous, as it can become hot in the summer months (not unlike most places in summer here in the U.S.) when we are going. However, the trip leader and FFP always ensure there is plenty of water and when participants are tired, a place to rest in the shade. Accommodations Depending upon the final size of our group will be housed at a fully enclosed and secure home or hotel with 24 hour guard protection in the town of Croix-des-bouquets. We will plenty of space with separate facilities for males and females, a common meeting / dining area and a roof top that is well suited for solitude and relaxation. Accommodations are basic with bunk beds, showers, and fans in each of the bed rooms 2
Travel Arrangements Those traveling from New York / New Jersey will fly non-stop from JFK to Port-au- Prince. Those leaving from Boston will transfer at JFK and join those from New York and New Jersey on the non-stop to Port-au-Prince. Those traveling from Tampa and Chicago, will connect in Miami and then on to Port-au-Prince. Those leaving from Washington Dulles will transfer in Atlanta then arriving in Port-au-Prince. You will need a passport that is valid six months after the return trip of August 29 as well as health insurance. Check your insurance policy for coverage in a foreign country as well as in case of an emergency evacuation. However, if your insurance does not cover such expenses, don t worry as FPLA will purchase supplemental health and emergency evacuation insurance for everyone just in case. The cost for each participant is $1,950 and participants may take part in fundraising efforts depending upon their individual financial situation. The fee includes: Round Trip Air Fare $670* In country transportation and security $175 Food & Lodging $325 Construction materials, equipment and wages for masons $630 Supplies including T-shirts, medical aid, physicians, first aid kits, ministry activities, translators and VBS materials $75 Year round activities in the communities (for example education and healthcare) $75 *If you check luggage, the first bag is free the second bag is $40 (each way) If you would like to be a part of this great mission opportunity and would like a guaranteed spot on the trip, please fill out the application form provided separately and write a non-refundable and tax deductible check for your first payment of $670 to cover the air fare payable to FPLA (with 2015 Haiti Mission Trip on the memo line) no later than Saturday FEBRUARY 28, 2054. Please mail your payment to Hank Belusa, 17201 Broadoak Drive, Tampa, Florida 33647. A second payment of $640 will be due on no later than Saturday, March 28, 2015. A third and final payment of $640 will be due on no later than Saturday, April 25, 2015 Enclosed is a sample of some of the Mission Trip stories from previous year s participants along with a tentative trip itinerary. If you have questions, please don t hesitate to contact one of us. Serving Christ with you, Hank Belusa, FPLA Haiti Mission Trip Coordinator Reverend Deb Belusa, Pastor First Presbyterian Church of Lake Alfred 515 East Haines Blvd - PO Box 1107 Lake Alfred, Florida 33850 3
Mission Stories While we were passing out sanitation kits a community living under the worst conditions I have ever seen, my group had the opportunity to give away a soccer ball to the children. When Tom handed the ball to the little boy, the joy in his face was priceless and unforgettable. The happiness and excitement that one soccer ball brought to the boy is unheard of in our community. He screamed in excitement and started sprinting around the community because of a simple ball. I will never forget that moment. Going on a mission trip to Haiti opened my eyes to the ways of life in cultures way different from my own. It made me learn to appreciate everyday things that one does not give much thought to. I met many great people and had a great experience. I'm no stranger to mission trips - Haiti was my fifth one. I figured nothing could shock me at this point, seeing as though I've traveled all over the United States and been exposed to debilitating poverty and turmoil. But Haiti was unlike anything I had ever experienced in my life. There isn't any possible way to convey what I saw because there is nothing in our country even remotely similar to the poverty so many Haitians endure. And yet, although so many have so little, I've never felt more welcome in a foreign land than I felt in Haiti. The people were truly the most wonderful, kind-hearted, selfless individuals I've ever had the privilege of knowing. The trip to Haiti moved me in a way I can't explain, but I can honestly say I'll never be the same after such an unbelievable experience. I encourage those who are considering a mission trip to just go ahead and do it. You really don't have anything to lose and you have everything to gain. It was an amazing, life-changing experience and I am so grateful that I was able to be a part of helping such a wonderful group of people. Working in Haiti was a once in a lifetime experience. Beyond building a retaining wall, I also had the chance to build relationships with some of the most sincere and ambitious people I have ever met. Despite indescribable tragedy, there seems to be obstacles that need to be thought about, but never worried about. Progress does not necessarily come in leaps and bounds, but the distance doesn't matter. It is simply the act that counts. When it was time to leave we said our goodbyes and discussed opportunities for the future. If I had to summarize the trip into one word, I would say humbling. To be able to do what we did and affect the lives of the people we encountered, I was humbled to be a part of something like this and do plan to go back to do it again. When was the last time you raised $1950 for someone else, taught English, moved 100 cinder blocks, shared a laugh with someone you don t know, or thought receiving was better than giving? In short it s easy to get to know God better by helping others. So if it s hard for you to see God at work in your neighborhood, go on a mission trip no prior experience required, it s easy, there are people who want our help, and it will do wonders for you! 4
FPLA Haiti Mission Trip to Ganthier, Haiti August 20 August 29, 2015 Tentative Itinerary Thursday, August 20 th Depart Tampa, Boston, Chicago, JFK and Washington DC Arrive Port-au-Prince Dinner / Get Acquainted & Free Time Friday, August 21 st construction Worksite / Dinner followed by Prep for Orphanage visit, Evening Program & Free Time Saturday, August 22 nd Construction Worksite / Orphanage / Dinner, Prep for VBS & Free Time Sunday, August 23 rd Worship VBS / Petionville Scenic Mountain tour or other event / Dinner followed by FFP explaining how to teach English / Debriefing & Free Time Monday, August 24 th Construction Worksite / Dinner followed by Evening program teaching Creole phrases & Free Time Tuesday, August 25 th visit & Free Time Construction Worksite / Dinner followed by prep for community Wednesday, August 26 th Community Work / Dinner followed by FFP Debriefing & Free Time Thursday, August 27 th Caribbean Beach Day Friday, August 28 th Construction Worksite / or alternative activity followed by Evening Celebration with FFP staff Saturday, August 29 th Depart Port-au-Prince Arrive Miami, Boston, Chicago, JFK and Washington DC 5
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