Stronger Roots

 

Auberge des Vieillards

Pignon, Haiti

Do not fear the wind that shakes the tree,

for it is the wind that teaches the roots

how to hold on tighter.

Haitian Proverb

Brother Ones

"Therefore the redeemed of the LORD shall return

and come with singing into Zion

and everlasting joy will overtake them,

and sorrow and sighing will flee away."

Isaiah 35:10

Sister Odiana

I will remain confident of this:

I will see the goodness of the LORD in the land of the living.

Wait for the LORD; be strong and take heart

and wait for the LORD.

Psalm 27:13-14

Words of hope and inspiration offered to our Haitian friends at Auberge des Vieillards, and all our supporters.

To support this work for vulnerable seniors, please check out World Partners EMCC Seniors' Home.

For recommendations for further reading on the political and economic history and current situation in Haiti check out A Little Light Reading.

Rev. Ruth Anne Breithaupt, MDiv.

Missionary in Residence

Highview Community Church

Partnering with the Pignon AEM Church 

to provide a home and Christ-centred care and services

 for seniors and adults with disabilities who require support 

in the activities of daily living, 

health, and a nutritious diet, and end of life dignity.

                                            

Sad Announcement

 

We are sad to announce the passing of Sister Mimrose, on Thursday, July 16, 2026.

She had come to Auberge des Vieillards following a severe stroke, and was only with us over this past year.   We pray for her family, and also the staff and caregivers at A des V who will miss her bright smile and presence in their lives.

It is good to be reminded, even in these times of release and goodbyes, that an important part of the mission of A des V (see below) is to provide dignity in end of life care.

Thank you to everyone who continues to support this vital ministry to vulnerable seniors in Haiti.

Donations can be made at any time to World Partners: Haiti Seniors.

Rev. Ruth Anne Breithaupt, MDiv.

Missionary in Residence

Highview Community Church

Partnering with the Pignon AEM Church 

to provide a home and Christ-centred care and services

 for seniors and adults with disabilities who require support 

in the activities of daily living, 

health, and a nutritious diet, and end of life dignity.

                                            

Nothing For You Without You

 "The reality is that a sate cannot be imposed from outside; 

it's legitimacy must be homegrown."

Jake Johnson 

in Aid State: Elite Panic, Disaster Capitalism, and the Battle to Control Haiti, 

(St. Martin's Griffin Publishing, 2024).

One of the most important components of Highview's partnership with Auberge des Vieillards in Pignon, Haiti, is that it wasn't our idea to begin with.  Not the partnership.  That was totally what we wanted to do.  But I mean the caring for vulnerable seniors part.  That was homegrown.

As a student in Cape Haitian, between 1988 and 2000, Pastor Abdon noticed elderly folks begging in the streets.  That's when the idea to provide housing and care and end of life dignity to vulnerable seniors was planted in his heart.

It's a long and lovely story, then, how God brought two parties together for one purpose.  Highview's construction team, making several different trips to do some manual labour in various locations, settles into one spot building first a wall, then the rooms for what Pastor Abdon had dreamed of so long ago.  

And that's all we did, really.  We just built the place, or at least the first bits of it.  The Church in Pignon, under the leadership of both Pastor Abdon and his wife Madame Lumide, herself a nurse, took it upon themselves to form their Management Committee, hire staff and volunteers, and gather the at-risk seniors who most needed their care.

The ongoing care, the many challenging logistics of it midst a constant barrage of trouble, the persistence and resilience and compassion and beauty of it all comes from them.  It's an important mantra for all 'helping' agencies or individuals to hang on to:  "Nothing for you without you."

I'm no socio-politician.  I haven't even been to Haiti.  But I do my best to wrap my head around the chronic issues facing this country through reading, and listening to those who've been there in real time.  Johnson's statement above, about solutions being homegrown, couldn't be more astonishingly and positively demonstrated by what has been done at Auberge des Vieillards. 

And while our concentrated efforts circle around an annual February fundraiser, donations can be directed to Auberge des Vieillards at any time through World Partners EMCC Haiti.

Honestly, it's worth it.

And thank you. 

 

Rev. Ruth Anne Breithaupt, MDiv.

Missionary in Residence

Highview Community Church

Partnering with the Pignon AEM Church 

to provide a home and Christ-centred care and services

 for seniors and adults with disabilities who require support 

in the activities of daily living, 

health, and a nutritious diet, and end of life dignity.

                                            

A Little Light Reading

 

An important element of partnering with people in other parts of the world 

is gaining a wholistic understanding of each other's perspectives.

The more I learn about my own history, 

the more I realize how much of my worldview has developed 

out of centuries of Western-European lived experience 

that is very different than that of the Global South.

And the more I learn about history in general,

the more I realize how little I know of Haiti's past,

and how that affects the present.

That's why I continually seek out resources 

to help me close the information gap and broaden my understanding.  

These three books are currently on my list.  

I have read some missionary biographies in the past.

These are more political and historical in nature.

Again, different perspectives.

Ones, Carius and Marcelus hanging out in the shade.

I'll keep you posted on what I learn.

And if you have any other recommendations for me,

I'll be happy to add that to the reading list too.

Donations can be directed to Auberge des Vieillards at any time through World Partners EMCC Haiti.

Rev. Ruth Anne Breithaupt, MDiv.

Missionary in Residence

Highview Community Church

Partnering with the Pignon AEM Church 

to provide a home and Christ-centred care and services

 for seniors and adults with disabilities who require support 

in the activities of daily living, 

health, and a nutritious diet, and end of life dignity.

                                            

    

Brother Alphonse

 

One of the very first residents at Auberge des Vieillards was Brother Alphonse.  In fact, he was sheltered and cared for by the Church in Pignon for some time while the facility itself was still being built.  How great it is for him now, to enjoy his room, and the grounds including the covered porch outside.  

Alphonse is a widower whose family members do not have the resources to care for him.  He is mobile and in stable health, although he does need some help in the tasks of daily living.  We are delighted that he has the care and family of A des V to provide for his needs!

Thank you to everyone who continues to pray for, support and contribute to the needs at A des V.  These are real people, with real needs, in real time.  It is a privilege to come alongside them in hope and love.

Donations can be directed to this work at any time through World Partners EMCC Haiti.

Rev. Ruth Anne Breithaupt, MDiv.

Missionary in Residence

Highview Community Church

Partnering with the Pignon AEM Church 

to provide a home and Christ-centred care and services

 for seniors and adults with disabilities who require support 

in the activities of daily living, 

health, and a nutritious diet, and end of life dignity.

                                            

     https://www.hcckw.ca  

Getting to Know Brother Marcellus

 

This is brother Dezarme Marcelus.  

He is from the community of Santiacre, not too far from Pignon.  At A des V, he shares a room with Brother Ones.

He is a widower.  

For years, he worked in the Dominican Republic, cutting cane in the sugar cane fields.  He is handicapped, after having lost a leg.  

He attends the AEM (Pignon) church and works as a chaplain.

Since 2008 Highview Community Church has been working alongside EMCC World Partners to bring encouragement and resources to vulnerable people in Haiti.  Then, beginning in 2014, our focus has been a facility in Pignon, built and dedicated to the care of vulnerable seniors, overseen by compassionate Haitian community leaders who have taken our latest construction project and established Auberge des Vieillards (Inn for the Elderly).

Thank you, everyone, who continues to support and pray for our Grammas and Grampas in Haiti.

Rev. Ruth Anne Breithaupt, MDiv.

Missionary in Residence

Highview Community Church

Partnering with the Pignon AEM Church 

to provide a home and Christ-centred care and services

 for seniors and adults with disabilities who require support 

in the activities of daily living, 

health, and a nutritious diet, and end of life dignity.

                                            

     https://www.hcckw.ca      

A Little Interview With Brother Carius

 

Excerpt from video sent from Pastor Abdon, interviewing sone of the residents at Auberge des Vieillards: (Interpreted)

Pastor Abdon:      

We are in room 5 with Brother Carius.  

Carius, would you like to give an idea of how the program is going?

Carius:                

The program is good for me in every way.  I am sick.  I receive medicine.  

I receive food regularly.  Everything goes well and right.  Thanks to God.

Pastor Abdon:     

Thank you very much.  You still have a problem with your leg?

You have suffered with this for 15 years.  They have done everything that is necessary for the ulcer, dressings, and even skin grafts done at the hospital in Bienfaissance in Pignon.  They took a graft from the thigh.  Still the ulcerated area will not heal. 

You you like to give a word of thanks to the Team from Canada which continues to support the program?

Carius:                

Yes, that the people who give will receive a greater blessing than the people who receive, in the name of Jesus. 

Pastor Abdon:    

Amen, Amen.  

We thank Brother Brian, Sister Pamela and all the Team EMCC World Partners Canada.

Rev. Ruth Anne Breithaupt, MDiv.

Missionary in Residence

Highview Community Church

Partnering with the Pignon AEM Church 

to provide a home and Christ-centred care and services

 for seniors and adults with disabilities who require support 

in the activities of daily living, 

health, and a nutritious diet, and end of life dignity.

                                            

     https://www.hcckw.ca