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.

                                            

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      

Highview's Annual Haiti Dinner and Silent Auction - Saturday, February 21, 2026

 

HAITI DINNER AND SILENT AUCTION

Saturday, February 21, 2026

Raising support for our Senior Residents at

Auberge des Vieillards in Pignon, Haiti

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).

On Saturday, February 21, 2026 Highview will host our annual Haiti Dinner and Silent Auction with a goal of raising $15,000.00 towards the ongoing operations and capital expenses of Auberge des Vieillards.

Delicious turkey dinner, 

lots of interesting items to bid on, 

and an update on our dear Seniors.

Tickets: $40/adult and $15/child

To reserve your spot email

Brian at bzogilvie@gmail.com

Ken at kdb@ptsoft.com

Two Sittings:

Sitting One: 5:00 p.m.

Sitting Two: 6:30 p.m.

Silent Auction:

Auction runs throughout the evening, 

featuring a wide variety of quality items.

Closes at 8:00 p.m.

Volunteers:

Volunteers needed for set up, tear down, meal serve, desserts, and cooking turkeys.

Please contact Ruth Anne to volunteer at rabreithaupt@hcckw.ca.

Please contact Brian to donate auction items at bzogilvie@gmail.com.

Faces of Hope

In case anyone is just joining in at this point in the story....

Auberge des Vieillards is a residence in Pignon, Haiti that cares for the elderly and disabled.  It was originally the vision of a man named Pastor Abdon, who with his wife Lumide, serve in many roles with the Evangelical Missionary Church of Haiti.  Not only do they lead and love a congregation in Pignon, but they carry the leadership mantle of supporting all the EMC pastors in Haiti.  

The expanse of their hearts has included a desire and a drive to extend care to vulnerable people who would otherwise be homeless and begging.  This is possible because they have cast their vision to their local church community, have assembled an organized Executive Team, and arranged for the care staff and other volunteers who now tend to the daily needs of currently ten residents.

Where Highview comes in is that we were able to help build the facility that is no Auberge des Vieillards, a years-long project that has come into this beautiful manifestation of God's goodness and grace played out in real time.

As we prepare for our annual Haiti Dinner and Silent Auction on February 22 (see details below), we are delighted to share some of the faces of the A des V resident.

In Pastor Abdon's own words..... 

 "Brother Eslet
He suffers from kidney disease, despite many medications, the problem still persists."

"Sister Maprina. 

She has a slight mental problem but she still goes to church to pray."  

We invite you to join us in partnering with Pastor Abdon and Madame Lumide in this astonishing manifestation of God's goodness.

HAITI DINNER AND SILENT AUCTION

Saturday, February 22, 2025

Highview Community Church

295 Highview Drive KIT ON N2N 2K7

First seating 5:00 p.m.

Second seating 6:30 p.m.

Auction closes 8:00 p.m.

Full course turkey dinner including dessert.

Tickets are $40 Adult, $15.00 Child

A wide variety of quality items on which to bid.

You could also volunteer to be part of the Team.

Set up, tear down, meal servers, dishwashers.

For tickets to hold  your space contact

Brian Ogilvie at bzogilvie@gmail.com

Ken Breithaupt at kdb@ptsoft.com

For general information, or to volunteer

please feel free to email me at rabreithaupt@hcckw.ca.

Looking forward to sharing in this adventure with you!

Ruth Anne Breithaupt

Missionary in Residence

Highview Community Church

Prayers for Haiti

In the prolonged space of chaos and uncertainty, it's hard to get regular updates about much else than the state of the Haitian nation.  

And news is not good.  

And it seems to go on and on.

So for today's posting, all I'm hoping for is to give us a few reminders and incentives to never give up praying.

Some Scriptures to Reflect On

"Speak up for those who cannot speak for themselves,

for the rights of all who are destitute.

Speak up and judge fairly;

defend the rights of the poor and the needy."

Proverbs 31:8-9

"Answer me, LORD, out of the goodness of your love;

in your great mercy turn to me.

Do not hide your face from your servant;

answer me quickly, for I am in trouble.

Come near and rescue me;

deliver me because of my foes."

Psalm 69:16-18

"Do not be afraid.

Stand firm and you will see the deliverance the LORD will bring you today.

Then [enemies] you see today you will never see again.

The LORD will fight for you;

you need only to be sill."

Exodus 14:13-14

Articles and Information

Here are a few links if you want to stay up to date with what's going on.

Disclaimer:  I have not had the chance to review every article below, nor do I even have the expertise to be able to filter what's most reliable.  I will leave that up to your own discernment.

These are for overview purposes only.

The Haitian Times

Haiti News Today

Reuters

An Inspirational Video

A video for the song "How Great is Our God" by healinghaiti.org.

This does not include images of our connection with Auberge des Vieillards but it does include a short and simple solo in Creole from a young boy that I found truly moving.

Our Residents By Name

We always want to honour the dignity of each of our Residents at Auberge des Vieillard.

So, even though I've done this before, here are their names.

Our brothers:

Esler (pictured above)

Alphonse

Carius

Jean-Richard

Ones

Jean-Clautte

Marcelus

Our sisters:

Ariana

Zina

Odilia

Thank you so much for your faithfulness to keep on praying!

Piercing the Darkness with Resurrection Power

 

It was about noon, 

and darkness came over the whole land 

until three in the afternoon, 

for the sun stopped shining.  

And the curtain of the temple was torn in two.  

Jesus called out with a loud voice, 

"Father, into your hands I commend my spirit."  

When he had said this, he breathed his last.

Luke 23:44-46

Two things are happening at once.

The darkest night,

and the most outrageous access to the Divine.

The sun stops shining.

The temple curtain is ripped in half.

In the darkest moment of Jesus' agony,

the brightest hope of reconciliation with God comes to be.

It was dark for three hours.

No normal eclipse.

And no one knew how long it would be.

The end of the world, it must have seemed.

But the most incredible of things was also true.

The curse of sin was now reversed.

What separated us from God was now paid in full.

And Jesus breathed his last breath,

and hope is breathed out --

Pneuma, Spirit, breath --

in the midst of the darkest hours.

No one can fathom the darkness that covers Haiti.

Just when you think it can't get any worse, it does.

So all the more the wonder,

the triumph,

the hope,

when people step up to be Jesus

in the darkest hours.

Bringing light and love and hope.

For God, who said, 

"Let light shine out of darkness," 

made his light shine in our hearts 

to give us the light of the knowledge of God's glory 

displayed in the face of Christ.

But we have this treasure in jars of clay 

to show that this all-surpassing power 

is from God and not from us.  

We are hard pressed on every side, 

but not crushed; 

perplexed, but not in despair; 

persecuted, but not abandoned; 

struck down, but not destroyed.  

We always carry around in our body 

the death of Jesus, 

so that the life of Jesus 

may also be revealed in our body.

2 Corinthians 4:6-10

To our dear friends at Auberge des Vieillards,

all those who live there and love each other in Christ,

we pray peace and safety and resurrection power over you,

this Easter season,

and always.

A Place Where Hope Grows

 

"If you spend yourselves in behalf of the hungry

and satisfy the needs of the oppressed,

then your light will rise in the darkness,

and your night will become like the noonday.

"The LORD will guide you always;

He will satisfy your needs in a sun-scorched land

and will strengthen your frame.

"You will be like a well-watered garden,

like a spring whose waters never fail."

Isaiah 58:10-11

Just had to share some of these pictures sent to us from the garden at A des V.

Some good news out of Haiti!

A garden grows to nurture the needs of our seniors.

In the midst of all the wretchedness,

hope springs up.

Reminds me of God's words through the prophet Isaiah, reminding us that, to Him, this is true worship.

I think I get it.

The light splashing over the rows of vegetables is making me catch my breath a little.

Knowing what these dear people are contending with every day.

Seeing a defiant hope in the midst of it.

Few things speak hope like a garden.

And oh, by the way.

Our grand total from the Haiti Dinner and Auction keeps creeping up, with donations trickling in even after the event.

We're now up to over $14,500.00 raised.

Again.....thank you to everyone, every single one of you, who made it happen!!

What's a Bigger Word for "Thank You?"

It's Monday morning after our big event and the final numbers are still coming in.

In a day or two I will be able to report the final amounts and give more details.

What I can say, at this point, is that we have certainly exceeded our goal of $10,000.00 towards Auberge des Vieillards and the care of the ten vulnerable Seniors there.

And what I want to say, right here and right now, is how in awe I am of our stellar volunteers.  

We're not a big church, so when I say that 37 individuals came together to pull this off, that's a huge buy-in. 

Haiti Volunteers - Thank you, thank you, thank you.  I honestly wish there was a 'bigger' word for it, because that's what I hope you can hear.

And at the risk of minimizing some contributions (which I in no way want to do ever), I still feel it's worth mentioning the over-and-above from certain individuals.

Colin - you really outdid yourself this year in going in for 'the ask', gathering corporate donations towards the meal and the event itself!  That was a lot of footwork!!!!  Not to mention how much you were on your feet on the day of!!  (Enjoy your auction item bid win.)

Lillian - you can 'stand the heat' in the kitchen like nobody else we know!  You and your whole kitchen team were giving it your all.  And that you stay to the very, very end, washing up and putting away AND getting back at in first thing on Sunday morning for our Haiti Leftovers Lunch....those are 'last push' efforts that are nothing less than heroic!

Brian - it's your heart and passion and positivity that leads the whole thing in the first place.  You are the one gathering the auction items and also going in for the ask at the corporate level.  Thank you for keeping Haiti on our radar in ways that are a perfect blend of love and tenacity.

I've just got to say, as Highview's Missionary in Residence, it is such a humbling thing to be part of a family of people who love like you do.  Over the years, no matter what role I've held, a common question when meeting other church leaders is, "How big is your church?"  I've learned to answer with a question.  "By what measurement?"  Because, if I take in what happens when it comes to weekends like this, regardless of Sunday morning attendance or any other metric...we are ENORMOUS! 

So, yes, every single one who came together in any way, 

THANK YOU!!!

I just wish there was a bigger way to say it!

Except, you just are the bigger way.

Ridiculous Hope, Right Now

Marilyn McIlroy stops to care for a homeless senior.

 

"I will make peace your governor

and well-being your ruler.

No longer will violence be heard in your land,

nor ruin or destruction within your borders.

but you will call your walls Salvation

 and your gates Praise."

Isaiah 60:17-18

This spectacular vision painted by the prophet describes a future full of the redeeming glory of a God who has set all things right.

It stands in stark contrast to the harsh realities being lived out by Haitians right now.  Particularly vulnerable are the seniors who have no place to go.

It could leave us all feeling hopeless.

But here's the astonishing thing.  We even might call it 'good news.'

You and I can participate in bringing that kind of hope, 

where God's grace is unleashed and light shines in dark places.

 

Right now.

We can help bring God's vision to bear. 

Right now.

That's what our Haiti Dinner and Silent Auction is really all about.

Bringing hope and health and belonging to vulnerable seniors in Haiti who would otherwise be homeless.  

Auberge des Vieillards (Inn for the Elderly) is the object of our love, as we come alongside some true heroes of hope, Pastor Abdon and his wife Madame Lumide, and the Committee and Staff that care for eleven of our brothers and sisters.

Right now.

Fundraising Goal:

$10,000.00

Thanks to everyone who has already signed up to be part of the action on Saturday, February 24.

Still want to help?

Desserts are still needed.  Please contact Lillian at lweatherall110@gmail.com

Dishwashers are still needed.  Please contact Ruth Anne a rabreithaupt@hcckw.ca.

Want tickets?

Contact Brian at brian.ogilvie@obfinancial.ca

Contact Ken at kdb@ptsoft.com

The Mud Factor

 

I'm going to guess that I don't know mud like Haitians know mud.

This is a space between buildings on the property known as Auberge des Vieillards in Pignon, Haiti where eleven seniors are cared for by the dedicated team of staff connected to the church there.

I do not know what season it is in this capture.  But I do know that in the rainy season, whatever looks like damp soft earth here is going to be a hot mess of mud for weeks and weeks on end.  Problem is, getting folks, especially folks with mobility issues, between those buildings will be no small feat.  Even staff and other caregivers have to maneuver through the mud. 

That's why one of the items on the projects list for A des V is cement.

I'm being this specific because it's no secret that sending money to Haiti has its understandable concerns.  And I want to be clear about what we're doing and what the funds are going to when we host our annual Haiti Dinner and Silent Auction event at Highview.

Cement pathways, of course, are only one of the projects underway on the property.  There's still some last steps to help make sure the water gets from the pump to the buildings.  There's supply rooms that need to be properly shelved and stocked.  And there's general maintenance always on the go.  We all know how it goes.  

But I wondered if it might help to give a 'concrete' example (see what I did there) in order to keep us all focused on what it is we're doing here.

Of course, it's not just about the building or the property.

There are real people here.  People who deserve the basic dignities of life in the last phase of their lives.  People who, for reasons including poverty but which also are way more complicated than just that, have no recourse for sustenance.  Who would be begging on the street otherwise.

They are the ones who need the cement walkways to take them from building to building.

They are the ones who require the care and supervision of staff.

They are the ones who need supplies properly stored.

They are the ones who need proper nutrition and medical attention.

They are the ones who happily benefit from a far-away turkey dinner with dessert, and a sometimes-slightly-competitive-but-always-fun silent auction at the end of the evening.

We're more likely to have snow than mud on February 24th.  

But either way, we'd love for you to join us.

For more information you can email me directly at rabreithaupt@hcckw.ca.
Love to hear from you!!!

The Wall Story

It's important that we keep telling the stories.  

They help connect the dots, 

bring context and meaning, 

and keep our spirits inspired.

This is a wall.

That may seem way too obvious, but it's an important part of the story.   Because, as far as our partnership with Auberge des Vieillards in Pignon, Haiti is concerned, the wall is where is all started.

The construction part, that is.  Even before the wall, there was a vision.  A vision to care for vulnerable seniors with no place to go.  That came from a Haitian Pastor named Abdon, and it was a long, long time ago.  In 1988 he began his theological studies in Cape Haitian, and would often see the elderly begging in the streets back and forth on his way to class.  The images stayed with him, wouldn't shake off, until it became a part of the very DNA of his leadership, and how he would inspire the church he and his wife Lumide would lead together in Pignon.  

Between the first inklings of that vision, and the eleven seniors now receiving care, there was a parcel of land.  And it needed a wall.  Without the wall going up first, whatever was kept or built on that parcel of land would be 'free game' for theft and destruction.  

Highview, along with Teams from other Canadian churches, helped build that wall.

In fact, a good-sized stone that got dislodged from Highview's foundation in a spring-thaw flood back in Canada, has been incorporated into the wall that now surrounds the Auberge des Vieillards property.

Oh yes.  The stories.

On Saturday, February 24, 2024 we'll be continuing the story of Highview's partnership with Pastor Abdon, Madame Lumide, and the astonishingly generous people of the Pignon Church who have freely chosen to take on the love-task of caring for people who otherwise would suffer greatly.

We'd love it if you'd join us.  

Be part of the story.

For tickets:

Brian Ogilvie  -  brian.ogilvie@obfinancial.ca

Ken Breithaupt -  kdb@ptsoft.com

For more information:

Ruth Anne Breithaupt - rabreithaupt@hcckw.ca

(Sorry no links)

 

Tickets Now On Sale! Highview's Dinner and Silent Auction Saturday, February 24, 2024

 

TICKETS NOW ON SALE!!!

Reserving your tickets early helps to ensure you get your preferred seating

5:00 or 6:30 p.m.

It also helps us plan and prepare the food 

with minimal waste, 

something that is consistent with 

the values of Auberge des Vieillards, 

and our care of vulnerable seniors in Pignon, Haiti.

Tickets available in person from

Brian Ogilvie or Ken Breithaupt

starting Sunday, January 14, 2024

after our worship service

(Highview Community Church

295 Highview Drive, KIT ON N2N 2K7).

OR

by contacting Brian or Ken directly at

Brian - brian.ogilvie@obfinancial.ca

Ken - kdb@ptsoft.com

For more information about our Dinner and Auction, or about Auberge des Vieillards

contact our Missionary in Residence

Ruth Anne Breithaupt at

rabreithaupt@hcckw.ca.

For more stories keep scrolling.

A Feast of Rich Food for All Peoples (Isaiah 25:6)

 

We cannot say it enough!!!!

To everyone who donated an auction item.

To everyone who contributed a cash donation.

To everyone who purchased a ticket.

To everyone who gave of their time and energy in preparing the meal or the auction.

Together we have raised approximately $12,000.00 to help shelter and care for 

vulnerable seniors in Pignon, Haiti.

THIS IS THE EXTRAORDINARY MERCY AND GRACE OF GOD AT WORK.

May you be blessed in equal measure for all you so generously gave of yourself.

LORD, you are my God, I will exalt You and praise Your name, for in perfect faithfulness You have done wonderful things, things planned long ago....You have been a refuge for the poor, a refuge for the needy in their distress, a shelter from the storm and a shade from the heat....On this mountain (of promise and hope) the LORD Almighty will prepare a banquet of rich food for all peoples, a banquet of aged wine -- the best of meats and the finest of wines.  (Isaiah 25:1,4,6)

Last Saturday, we got a glimpse of the beauty that is to come.

A Simple Meal - Haiti Dinner and Silent Auction February 25, 2023

 

Highview Community Church presents

295 Highview Drive, KIT ON N2N 2K7

Haiti Dinner and Silent Auction

Saturday, February 25, 2023

Seating One: 5:00 p.m.

Seating Two: 6:30 p.m.

Auction Closes: 8:00 p.m.

For ticket reservations please contact info@hcckw.ca

A simple meal on the table here to put a simple meal on the table there.

Turkey dinner (two seatings), with a short update from our Haiti Team.

Silent Auction of a wide variety of quality items, representing a wide range of starting bids.

They sit around a table, nourished not just by the food on their plates, but by the companionship of one another and their caregivers.  They are vulnerable souls in a vulnerable place, finding safety and wholeness and belonging.

They are the Grammas and Grandpas of Auberge des Vieillard (Inn for the Elderly) in Pignon, Haiti.   A refuge of care overseen by Haitian Pastors Abdon and Lumide and the astonishingly generous folks of the Evangelical Missionary Church there.  

This is their vision, their passion -- something you'll hear more about at Highview on Sunday, February 19th for our service: "Of Haitian Threads and Tapestries".  We are honoured to partner with them in this mission that so closely reflects the heart of God.

Food, water, clothing, medical care and medicine, supplies and equipment, plus the healing power of belonging to a loving community....all of this is where all the funds raised on February 25th will go.

So often, as I watch the news, I am tempted to be overcome, even paralyzed by the enormity of the needs so evident all around the world.  But this.  This is something I can do.  I invite you to join me, and a whole team of eager, selfless hearts behind this event, to make a HUGE difference.

For more information about the residence, check out the World Partners website here.

Rev. Ruth Anne Breithaupt, Missionary in Residence, Highview Community Church

Flip Flop Focus

Don't let this relaxed lunchy look fool you.  These are two of the most tenacious, hardworking people we know.  But first, it's about the flip flops.

Granme Ophelie (not her real name) is back from the garden.  She is smiling, being led by the hand by one of the children who joined in the search that started just five minutes ago.  She's here, she's okay, as we knew she would be.  But still.  Some wandering is apt to happen, and we must keep an eye out at all times.

But Granme Ophelie, where is your other shoe?  Still smiling she looks down at her feet, and then a look of mild surprise.  Oh!  Only one flip flop has made it back from the garden with her.  The child is sent off to look for it as she is led to the table for lunch.

Auberge des Vieillards is home to seven grammas and grampas under the care of Pastor Abdon and Madame Lumide, and the Care Team and Staff operating out of the AEM Church in Pignon.

It's been a long road to get here, as anyone who has been following this blog and Highview's Haitian story will know.  Several work teams from Highview and other Canadian churches have done the very physical work of building the wall, then the rooms that now house our residents.  These are vulnerable adults in desperate situations in the midst of a country in chaos.

I'll leave it to you to read more about the current political and economic situation in Haiti.  The politics and violence are truly sinister partners with COVID in terms of the struggle for stability and basic quality of life.  The problems are legion, and could easily overwhelm us.

Until we sit down for lunch with Abdon and Lumide and work on just what's needed next.

Until we focus on Granme Ophelie and making sure she has her shoes.

.  

Our friend, missionary-pastor Marilyn McIlroy, was able to visit this summer, braving the heat of July and the uncertainties of a first trip back since all the travel shut downs.  Our conversation upon her return was full of her heart for these frail folks, trusting God for everything from shoes to stoves to medicines.

All the seniors are doing much better since arriving at A des V, and for this we are grateful.  Need of the pump's final hook up to the available electricity, specific medicines required that are next to impossible to secure there, and the sudden jump in price for the stove are all real needs under the general column of 'asap.'  And meanwhile, they persevere.  Bravely, lovingly, tenaciously caring for the most vulnerable among the vulnerable.

There will be more from Highview a bit later into the season where we will be ramping up our fundraising for this project in a bigger way.  Right now I would encourage you, if you are led, if you are so inclined, to give what you can through the EMCC's projects page at the link provided here.

It just might buy Granme Ophelie her next pair of shoes.