Missionaries Return to Haiti
“I received nothing short of a royal welcome back from all I have met.” “I would say that people on La Gonave were very excited to see us back . . . most of the excitement was simply because we are friends and we are committed to helping with compassion.”
These comments, shared by missionaries Hope Graham and Dr. Bob Vermaire, express the relationship between Global Partners missionaries and Haitians. Violence erupted in Haiti this past February, sparking a total evacuation of all Global Partners missionaries.
The evacuation was described by our missionaries as “devastating” in regard to leaving behind Haiti friends and co-workers. Then with a process that began on April 16, Global Partners missionaries started returning to Haiti in stages. Each missionary had anxiously awaited the day when they could go back to the ministries that God has called them to in Haiti. Part of the team returned in April; others went back in May.
“I would say that people on La Gonave were very excited to see us back . . . most of the excitement was simply because we are friends and we are committed to helping with compassion.”
Haiti has been relatively calm since February, but the issues that caused the riots and protests have not been resolved.
There are a lot of good people in Haiti who love their country and are tired of corruption, injustice, and the lack of opportunities. The biggest cause of concern at this time is the rising gang violence in various departments on the mainland since the United Nations pulled out their peacekeeping force just over a year ago.
“People are not encouraged by the state of the mainland and government,” said Dr. Vermaire. “Though things are very calm here on La Gonave, everyone knows that things are unstable in and around Port-au-Prince with no end currently in sight.”
Please continue to pray for Haiti, Global Partners missionaries on the ground, and Haitian employees of the mission. All short-term mission teams were cancelled through the end of May, and the mission will likely extend this moratorium on short-term mission teams until the United States travel advisory (determined by the U.S. State Department) falls below level four.
The Haitian staff of the Wesleyan Mission depends on the funds generated by short-term mission teams to pay their salaries. Please help our Haitian brothers and sisters in their time of need. Give today to provide assistance to the Haitian staff of the Wesleyan Mission in Haiti, including those working at the guesthouse on La Gonave and the guesthouse at the Ortlip Ministry Center.
TO GIVE
American Donors
Give online: globalpartnersonline.org/donate/give-by-fund-number/ and enter fund number WM06-0126.
To pay by check: Make the check payable to Global Partners. Mail to PO Box 50434, Indianapolis, IN, 46250. Note “WM06-0126 / Haiti Mission Assistance” on the memo line.
Canadian Donors
Give online: canadahelps.org/en/charities/the-wesleyan-church-of-canada-central-canada-district/, select “General Fund” and include “WM06-0126 / Haiti Mission Assistance” in the comments.
To pay by check: Make checks payable to The Wesleyan Church of Canada. Mail to PO Box 4458, Sussex, NB, E4E 5L6. Note “WM06-0126 / Haiti Mission Assistance” on the memo line.