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

A Celebration of Loyalty and Love

We are delighted to pass on this invitation to any who would like to join in celebrating this remarkable woman.

I love how EMCC World Partners puts it.  "...celebrating and commissioning Marilyn into a new stage of life and ministry."  Yes!!!!

World Partners is pleased to host a celebration gathering for Marilyn McIlroy, celebrating her obedience to Jesus in the many ways she has served through World Partners for over 40 years. Please see the invite below and RSVP if you are able to join us.  We look forward to celebrating and commissioning Marilyn into a new stage of life and ministry.

Director of World Partners

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!!

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 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)

 

Swimming, Patient Friends, Dr. Larry Mellon, and a Hospital in Haiti

Something pretty great is happening at Highview on 

Saturday, February 24, 2024

295 Highview Drive

HAITI DINNER AND SILENT AUCTION

Tickets and Information available by contacting me, 

Highview's Missionary in Residence

at rabreithaupt@hcckw.ca 

or check out www.hcckw.ca.

But what does that have to to with the book pictured here?

Well, there's a story for that.

I'm not swimming anymore.  Not as part of my regular fitness routine at least.  There are reasons, and it's all good.  But I only mention it here because it's an important part of the story, and it's going to end up in Haiti.

The thing about swimming, or any other thing you do regularly enough, is that your meet people and they become your 'that' friends.  In this case, my 'swimming' friends.  The folks I don't have any other common orbits with, but when we see each other in the change rooms or in the pool or in the jacuzzi after our swim, we're all friendly and finding out enough about each other, and what makes the world interesting because they're interesting.  But all of this is, of course, in quick conversations as we are getting in and out of the pool and drying our hair and stuff.

Maggie and Joy (not their real names) are two of my swimming friends.

Hang on.  This will actually get us to Haiti, I promise.

On my last day of swimming, I didn't know it would be my last day of swimming, so I didn't really say a proper goodbye.  It's like that, actually.  Because sometimes you don't even run into each other to chat.  But I had given Maggie my business card at one point when she expressed interest in my pashmina, and it led to the conversation about my times in Thailand.  Yes, we'll get to Haiti.

So six months after my last day of swimming I get a call from Maggie.  She wants to have a tea and invite Joy.  How lovely.  But I explain that I am heading into a rather demanding fall and it would be best if we set this up as a Christmas tea, perhaps, if that's not too far off to make such plans.  It wasn't.

So early in December, once my head stopped spinning from the jetlag return from Thailand, I sat for tea in Maggie's lovely home, and she and Joy and I found out oh so much more about each other than ever we could in the quick conversations at the pool.

For example.  Maggie, who is a very spry lady in her 90's, had many years ago spent two years as a nurse at the Hospital Albert Schweitzer at Deschapelles in Haiti.  (Told ya.)  

What?  Tell me more.  So she did.  With great respect she talked about a man named Larry Mellon who, being born into wealth, was drawn into so much more than the 'entitled' life could offer, and ended up a medical doctor in one of the poorest countries of the world.

As the name of the hospital suggests, Dr. Mellon had been inspired by the similar kind of medicine practiced by Albert Schweitzer in Africa, driven by the shared desire to "find the place of maximum need."  It's what led Mellon to build his hospital in the Artibonite Valley, a place deserted by other doctors due to the hopeless conditions in which the inhabitants lived.  

And now an aside, because more dots are connecting for me.  A quote from Brian Stiller's book "Find a Broken Wall" (2012) where he encourages Christian leaders (and all of us for that matter) to consider our 'job search' a little differently.

Instead of searching for the good places, 

rewarding salaries and benefits, 

popular communities and nice people, 

look for rundown, bankrupt communities 

in need of someone to lift and lead (29).

This is exactly what Mellon did.

Near to the end of our Christmas tea, I realized I wanted to know more about this intriguing man and his medical mission in Haiti.  So I asked if ever there was a book published or anything else I could read.  Maggie easily lent me the book pictured above, published in 1964.  I have not been disappointed.

I'm not finished the book.  And I'm still learning so much.  The hospital still exists, but I've only started to poke around to find out more.  If you're also interested, here's a possible link to information today:  Current information on the hospital.  If nothing else it will give us all a perspective on how the situation in Haiti today is affecting everything.

And it all comes back to what's happening at Highview on Saturday, February 24.

We aren't directly connected with Dr. Mellon's hospital.  But we are partners with Auberge des Vieillards (Inn for the Elderly) in Pignon.  The seniors and disabled residents there are also living midst the turmoil of a country in prolonged chaos.  It's another 'broken wall' if you will; another 'place of maximum need.'

We want to help.  

We hope you'll join us.

 

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.