November Mission Team #2

Family and Friends,

We are nearing the completion of another visiting mission team. Below are pictures and information about each of the members of the team as well as some quotes about their week. Nothing too out of the ordinary happened on this trip, at least from our perspective, though each member of each team goes home with a whole collection of personal memories and photos to share with the folks back home. Sometimes I forgot how world-changing it can be to come here for the first time, regardless of whether or not something crazy happens during the week.

One thing that may stick with me was a simple comment made by one of the team members to Mike Plasier, who is the leader of this team and Mission Haiti's board president. After observing the youth group and the church service she said, “I get it now. It isn't about giving people stuff like toothpaste and whatever else...it is about God working in the lives of the people...” I'm not sure about the exact quote, but it was something along those lines. I think we all have to reach that point, where we discover that though virtually all people here are poor in material terms by American standards, the real point of our work is to help people prosper in their relationship with God. If we need to give them a few physical things to spark that or help them a little bit, no problem, but it will never be the most important thing.

VISITING TEAM MEMBERS:

Jeri Van Den Hoek who works in customer service for Land-o-Lakes Seed Company, from Sioux Falls, SD. She says, “Great team and every trip leaves a different impression with me.”

Richard and Joyce Hildebrand from Milford, Iowa. Richard is a retired teacher who has done a lot of work with Habitat for humanity and now travels to Africa and Haiti on extended work projects. He will be here for three more weeks. Joyce is a Dell computers consultant and will return home after this week. Richard says, “It is hot down here!” Joyce says, “Amazing work is being done here.”

Kathy Sprinkel is from Aberdeen, SD, where she works as a nurse. She says, “You are making a difference.”

Sue Pfeiffer-Hansen is a physician's assistant from Aberdeen, SD. She says, “This is my 3^rd time here, and I thought I had seen it all...but soon found out I had not. Another unforgettable experience to take back home and share.”

Teri Lewis is from Aberdeen, SD. She says, “I am so amazed with the faith in Jesus, especially the youth. The praise and worship music was awesome!”

Arlene Stern is a retired school nurse from Sioux Falls, SD. She says, “I enjoy coming back to see the wonderful Haitian friends that I have made. Love is in this place.”

Nurse Sue will head back with this team and take a 2-week break in San Diego where some of her family lives.  On Wednesday we will welcome another team led by Bruce.  The next team has members mainly form Northwest Iowa.  The car owned by Mission Haiti is back in working order!  Praise God.  That finishes the story began on the day of Kiki's funeral over two months ago. 

Thanks as always for your prayers!

God Bless,
The Grimm Family Adventurers