Continuing the Work in Strange Times

 

Just a quick hello to keep us all on board and up to speed on the ways God is continuing to work among our Haitian friends.

As many of you know, Marilyn McIlroy is our steady connection between Highview and all things Haitian.  Her blog updates keep us current, and reflect our shared passion for all that our friends are living through during these difficult times.

Check it out.

Keep praying.

God bless.

In All Things

 

Some days it's just hard to watch the news.  This seems particularly true when the world is in the midst of a pandemic AND it's hurricane season.  Then, it seems even more true when Haiti is involved, and there are people and places we love being affected in ways we can't even imagine.

I'm glad for the news and all the ways we are connected, because, not only do we hear about the hard stuff, we can know the beautiful, redemptive things God is doing, as we stay connected in meaningful ways.

Our beautiful friend Marilyn McIlroy's BLOG "Where In the World Is Marilyn?" will not only help provide us with some information, but can keep our hearts in touch with how we can pray and support our partners in Haiti.

In her email to me this week she reports:

"We are excited to say that the Senior's Retirement Home is continuing to progress.  The remainder of the finances that were raised last year were sent to Pastor Abdon in Pignon, to move along the parging, the painting, more sidewalks and ceilings, and many more details in the second section of the building.

'The hurricane on the weekend did not really affect the Pignon area. [Praise God!]

'Early August, children had already returned to school in areas where school were not able to provide study material due to the Covid shutdown.  The pan is to complete the studies missed from March through June.  Then the new school year will commence later in the fall."

So -- good things to celebrate and be grateful for!!!

Thank you everyone who continue to pray for and otherwise support the important work God is doing in Haiti.  While we may struggle a bit with our lack of ability to plan and proceed the way we normally do through this coming ministry season (no trips planned, what about our Haiti Dinner?), we serve a God who is intimately involved in lives, and Who's plans cannot be thwarted.

Haitian Covid Situation Update from Marilyn McIlroy

From one of our first trips to Haiti.  Linda with a little friend.

As Canada deals with it's own Covid-19 implications, around the world other countries, many far more vulnerable than ours, face this microscopic menace with far less resources.

Our faithful partner is all things Haitian, with a heart that beats boldly for her people, Marilyn McIlroy brings us an update on what's happening right now.

Thank you everyone who is praying and going and who constantly works with us in all our fundraising efforts.

Marilyn's Blog

What's Happening In Haiti

During a time when all planned trips to Haiti from Highview are clearly on pause, it's important for us to continue to remain faithful in our prayers and attention toward those we care so much about.

It's been fascinating to me to watch the numbers vary from place to place (as in Thailand) and consider all the factors (testing, reporting, exposure, etc.) that need to be considered.

Regardless, we are all aware of how fragile life is in Haiti and how much we are all part of this pandemic together, no matter where we are.

An interesting article to provide some food for thought....and our prayers.

We will continue to keep you posted as we can.

Covid-19 Update from Haiti

Update from Marilyn McIlroy, EMCC World Partners Project Manager and Community Development regarding the Covid situation in Hait.

We are praying together for our hurting world!

Hello friends: 

I just want to send a brief update re the part of Haiti that we all know and love! 

I spoke with Se Herlynda Philogene this afternoon.  She stated that many people have been laid off work (as here) but with no government promising any financial help.  In a country where very few people have work to begin with, these layoffs cause huge anxiety and fear for families.  

Haiti is reported to have thirty confirmed cases of COVID19 and 2 deaths (as of Friday, April 10 - 37 cases confirmed as of April 15).  Of course these are the confirmed cases and the known deaths.  Herlynda stated that no one in Gender and Disaster Netowrd or Ouanaminthe has tested positive (not sure if they are even doing the testing in OAN).  But she said that there were two positive cases in Fort Liberte and one died last evening.  She said there are cases in the other cities between OAN and Cap Haitian.  She said that Haitians are returning home from the Dominican Republic (crossing through the river as the border is closed).  They are bringing COVID home with them!  The D.R. reported over 1,700 cases.  

To top of the difficult situation, the US expelled 68 Haitians back to Port-au-Prince on Tuesday.  It is quite likely that a number of them will be carrying Covid back as well.  Let us be praying for Haiti (and Cuba and Jamaica and Venezuela).  Resources are almost non existent.  It is the private hospitals that are taking on the care of the ill and dying.  The staff at other hospitals are refusing to work due to lack of PPE. 

Herlynda wanted me to tell you that they are praying for Canada.  They are hearing the news about Canada and are concerned for us.  I said that I would pass along her words of concern and comfort for us as well.  

The GDN clinic remains open and still is seeing patients who need care.  Thank you for praying.  

Marilyn 

The Big Little Things of Life Right Now

In the midst of all the troubling news it might be easy to let this “little” event slip under the radar.

Our first senior, “Uncle” Alphonse, has moved into the building we’ve been working to complete for the past several years.

If you scroll back to past postings on this blog, you will see the entire project from beginning to end, with a lot of adventures in between, making it possible to complete the seniors’ facility and allow folks to move in.   This is a moment to celebrate! 

Yet.

It is vulnerable people like Alphonse that are most threatened by our current global pandemic.  Even here in Canada, the danger for people over 70 is very real, let along in a country with woefully inadequate health systems.

As of this writing on April 2, 2020, the official case count in Haiti sits at a mere 15, with 0 deaths recorded thus far.  We can only pray that somehow Haiti will be spared, but given the trajectory of this disease even in very developed countries, the foreseeable future does not look good.

I invite you to pray with me for God to prevail against the disease itself, but also against the fear and despair.   As we are already seeing, grace and redemption can and does win out even in the face of such a time as this.  The faith of many who have so little, as is the case of our Haitian brothers and sisters, inspires me always, but especially now.

So we celebrate.  And we pray.  And we wait to watch God be mighty in our midst. 

Taking It Further!

The Update:

From January 13 to 24, 2020 a Team from Highview/EMCC was able to visit the site of the Seniors' Home in Pinon to see the progress of the project, and to move forward towards its completion.  It's exciting to know that we're in the last states of preparation before we start inviting the Seniors to take residence!!!!

The Event:

HAITI DINNER AND SILENT AUCTION

Saturday, February 29, 2020

Two Seatings:  5:00 and 6:30 p.m.

Tickets:  Adults $30 Children $15

Silent Auction (closes at 8:30 p.m.)

Boasting quality items such as an outdoor firepit enclosure, 
golf clubs, Kitchener Rangers sweaters, homemade jewellery,
 Haitian artwork, Bluetooth speakers, and much more!

Highview Community Church

295 Highview Drive, KIT
Directions

The Reason:

Money raised this year will go towards the digging of a well to provide all water needs, the finishing touches on the buildings, and the purchase of furniture and other items needed for the rooms.

Housing for Seniors who are alone and poor, is a priority of the city of Pignon.  There is little offered for the elderly who have no children (to act as their Senior's security) or whose children are unable or unwilling to provide for poor parents.  The need is great in a country ravaged by disaster.

Haiti is the poorest country in the western hemisphere.  By investing in the community of Pignon, we have an 'on the ground' impact, investing together in the future of some of the country's most vulnerable.

LOOKING FORWARD TO SEEING YOU THERE!

Last Day in Pignon

As I write this update(Tuesday)  we're just finishing up our last day at the seniors home. 

Lots of good work has been done and much more will be completed in the near future with the goal of opening the home in the very near future. Plumbing in the washroom, tiles on the floors, painting the rooms, making and varnishing the beds, sealing off the depot where food is stored, parging the dining/office/kitchen area; all this and more is on the go as we prepare to leave the site. 

Tomorrow we fly out of Pignon early in the morning and will then spend a night at the medical clinic in the north near the Haiti/Dominican border. 

Thursday we'll head over the border in preparation for our trip home. 

Mattresses Arrive!  Good time for a break!

What a rich blessing it is to come and work alongside our Haitian brothers and sisters. There is great excitement at the church here in Pignon to see the home up and running. On a daily basis we had pastors and leadership of the AEM (the Haitian church) come to see the work and everytime they shared their joy and thanks about the project.

Our good friend Acner is enjoying them too.

Thank you to everyone for your prayers and donations to this work. This is clearly something God has asked us, Highview and Trinity, to share of our time and resources. 

We are blessed. 

Brian, For the Team

Bad Roads and Good Spirits

Haitian Countryside

Supplies Run (Truck not pictured!)

More Country!!

From Ruth Anne:

Here's an interesting technological tidbit.  I'm in Thailand, receiving info and pictures from Brian who's in Haiti, and together we are sending these reports back to Canada.  Love how 'small' our world is.  Love how BIG our God is!  Thanks for your patience while we work with the time differences and internet connections to keep us all working and serving together....from all parts of the world!

From Brian:

Yesterday (Sunday) was a day of worship and adventure. 

First was the Sunday service with our friends at the church in Pignon. Starts at 7:00. We arrived at 8:00. Then it was off to visit another church in the mountains of the north. Eric's church in Saskatchewan raised funds to help pay for the roof.

Such beautiful country!!!! What terrible roads!!!! Today we get to work. Bosses are here to start work on the washroom, finish beds, paint rooms, varnish beds and more. Busy day.

Love It When A Plan Comes Together, Landings and Luggage Notwithstanding

Brian

Brian and team have arrived safe in Dominican but not without adventure of course.  We're looking forward to hearing the story of how they landed, apparently a little of the 'fun-to-tell-later' variety.    

As well, he checked his carry-on while in Toronto and it did NOT arrive in Dominican.  West Jet said it went on the plane.  All but one item in it was replaceable.  His Haitian journal which he has taken on all his trips was in there.  

West Jet did not have it.  Best guess was that it had been stolen.  Prayers all around.  And then...West Jet called that a driver was on his way with the bag!!!!  Clearly someone had rifled through everything, but as far as  Brian can tell, everything is there.  Now he will have his ankle brace, battery charger, sandals, prescription sunglasses, t-shirts to give away.  Thank You God!!

The Seniors' home is taking good shape, with the plumbing for the bathrooms next up.

Getting ready to fly north with Eric (from Saskatchewan) and Michelle (from Trinity EMC).

The Haitian Connection

As Haiti marks the grim anniversary of the devastating earthquake ten years ago (January 12, 2010) I am all the more excited that Highview has followed the call of God in forging important partnerships of love and reciprocity with our beautiful friends there. 

I asked Brian Ogilvie, who is travelling with a combined team this month, to share some of what is on his mind and heart for this current visit.

First, Brian, what are the dates of your trip?

January 13 to 24, 2020

What do you feel is the general goal of this particular trip?

This year it’s our hope to complete the structural work of the seniors’ residence in Pignon. This will mean painting, building wheelchair ramps, and most importantly, completing the work on the washroom facility in preparation for the seniors moving in. This has been a long time coming (5 years) but the excitement is now growing as we realize the final steps in getting this facility up and running.

Can you tell us what you’re excited about?

Always excited to see our friends in Pignon, Hinche and Sapate. One of our goals when God led us to this work was to build relationships with the people of these communities and I’m happy to say that’s been accomplished. It is always a joy to walk onto the sites and see our friends smiles again. Since its inception this has been a project shared with our friends at Trinity Evangelical Missionary church in Waterloo. What a blessing to lock arms with other Christian communities to do the work of meeting the needs of the poorest in this world.

How can we be praying for you?

Certainly, this year, prayers for protection would be appreciated. The country of Haiti has been in turmoil for what seems forever but the political temperature is a bit hotter this year compared to others. And as always, that we can bless the people of the communities in which we work and the country as a whole.

We will be praying for you and the team, Brian!

God speed.

We’ll look forward to updates as internet allows.

Ruth Anne Breithaupt

Missionary In Residence

Highview Community Church