Haiti Mission Trip, June 27 to July 6, 2005,
by Tim Mastenbrook
Seven of us traveled into the back country daily to encourage, give relief, and street preach. Up before dawn to get ready by flashlights to hop in the open bed of a utility truck, slather on sun tan lotion, and off we’d go over some of the worse road condition.
The Haitians told us the most important thing we did was - to be there - and how it encouraged them to work harder for the Lord. Along with that, many people in many locations heard the gospel and the plan of salvation through street preaching. They were challenged to follow-up with their local preachers.
If our arrival in these villages were not enough to draw an audience, Nancy took care of that by jumping rope in the middle of the street.
Also by way of follow-up, we left hundreds of dollars for Bibles with the CBT graduates and some funds for several church leaders to further develop strong doctrine in newer congregations.
25 of the new congregations have come from the World Radio broadcasts by Lucner Pierre, who has visited us in the past. Our congregation has been a major supporter of Lucner’s mission schools that have about 650 young people, many of whom would not be receiving an education otherwise.
Last Sunday, we worshipped at a congregation named Mathone. It was pretty far out in the back country. About 100 people worshipped there in a dirt-floored, open-walled, sheet metal covered lean-to.
I like the Haitian word for worship – it’s adoration. We adored God with these fine folks. Afterwards we had the opportunity to visit some sick members. They’re meeting now in that lean-to, and we pray they are safe and well.
Haiti is a beautiful tropical island, and we saw some mind-boggling scenery. Once at the top of a mountain, we could look down across much of Haiti, including a river in the valley far below us. Another time, a waterfall high on a hillside. Another time, a turquoise blue lagoon coming in from the sea.
Haiti has many caring people. Once while riding through the city of Cap-Haitien, a camera was dropped from the back of the truck. That was the end of that I thought, but a Haitian picked it up and ran us down in traffic to hand it back. We went to 21 congregations and 3 orphanages. We gave out 3,000# of relief items including school supplies, clothing, toys, and toiletries.
by David Heath
Tuesday 6/28 - We arrived in Cap Haitien without incident. The airport was small and very HOT. When we left the customs area there were so many people that wanted to assist us, but we were advised not to let them because they wanted money and help from the Center for Biblical Training (CBT) were there to help. As we drove to CBT, UN troops were in the streets and they were the only trusted authority in the area. The poverty was everywhere. We arrived at CBT and settled in for the rest of the day. The compound was very nice
The building was clean and comfortable, however in order to save fuel and save the use of the generator it was shut down each night around 11:00 pm. At that point you could have been sound asleep but you would wake up as soon as the fan stopped. Then you would lay there and sweat and lay there and sweat. Each night before bed you had to spray your entire body with “Off.” Two showers a day were taken, morning was in cold water and night in warm water, both felt wonderful.
Wednesday 6/29 - Our group from left to right front to back consisted of David Dirrim, Donna Ashley; Tim Mastenbrook, Nancy Pharrand, Briana Dirrim, Dan Lindenmuth; Kelly Kurtz, Joe Hegarty; Dave Heath. The group departed heading to “Dondon” with Moise driving. The trip was rough. Each road except for a very few, was dirt with wash board effects. Some roads had craters; not just a washboard, but very large holes. We arrived and found so many different things. There was true poverty and a need to help at every location. From there we traveled to Grangiles and then Milot (Duchange). Each location required much needed assistance. But with too much help we could end up elevating each church and orphanage to fast . There is a great need for food and clothing which is not a problem, but to increase a church too fast could result in problems.
Thursday 6/30 - (Tim driving, Joseph Solius or Jackie interpreter) - This day started the same as all others; we loaded the truck and headed out. The first stop was “Duty” where we met Joseph Joel. We almost got stuck in the mud but some local people helped us and we arrived in Duty. We ended up leaving part of our group behind so they could help the church for the day. The rest of the group headed to Limbe and met Pierre. The next stop was Morne Adam with Pierre. Then to Plain du Nord with Joseph Solius. This congregation was also in need. On the way back to pick up Joe and Kelly and on to Duty, we got STUCK and I mean stuck and it was raining. It took over 10 local guys and us to get out. Finally as we got the truck out of the mud, Joe and Kelley showed up. They had walked all the way down to where we were after they were told we were in the mud. In other words the village passed the word and they came to help. It was a long way for them to walk. After everyone was together, it was very late when we arrived back at CBT.
Tim Mastenbrook - Another time we got hopelessly stuck in a mud hole on a back road during a rain storm. Before we knew it, Haitians who were soaking wet were digging us out and pushing us safely on our way.
Friday 7/1 - (Moise driving) - Today we headed to Laurette near Fort Liberty, where we meet Anilus. The church and orphanage there are also in great need. Then it’s off to Ferrier near the Dominican Republic, where we met Jeremie. Then to Fort Liberty itself, where we ate lunch. Then a return back to CBT.
Tim Mastenbrook - Another time, we were driving in the back country and passed an extremely elderly woman walking slouched over and barefooted along the road. She was the epitome of skin and bones and dressed in rags. She was carrying a few mangoes, so we stopped to see if she would sell them to us, the idea being to overpay her by quite a bit to help her out. She said they were her only food and she couldn’t sell them. So we just set about seeing how we could help her.
She said she didn’t know how old she was and had no family left to care for her. She lived nearby, so we followed her home. What we found was a shock, even though I thought I’d seen it all. She lived out in the open on the dirt in a pasture under an old piece of tin. She had nothing – no other clothes, no toiletries, no utensils – nothing but some straw to sleep on. When we prayed for her, she went into a fetal position and moaned for God to take her.
I hope we encouraged her. We left food and money. We met with her neighbors and encouraged them to watch over her, and a preacher with us said he would look in on her from time to time.
Saturday 7/2 - (Tim driving, David Dirrim interpreter) - Today off to Ranquitte and met 74 year old Guy. We toured his orphanage and school and church building. Then to Bahon and met Mompremier. Then to Cardinot where Mompremier has another church. Tim stopped and gathered street people and then took the opportunity to preach through an interrupter about Jesus Christ and this was very important. They heard the Word of God and can always know this. Perhaps Bibles in their own language will be provided and this will be a help in telling them about Jesus Christ. Then home.
Sunday 7/3 - (Tim driving, Lucner interpreter) - Headed to Mathone for morning worship with Lucner as our guide. The church here meets in the picture shown below. There were many people that showed up, the singing was fantastic. Then to Acul-du Norde. Then Desmangues. Two of our team went separately to Lamolere and Peltan.
Tim Mastenbrook - The Christians in Haiti are deeply faithful, with a faith that is pure and simple and - challenging. Everywhere we went, we were warmly welcomed by the church. In some places they had waited hours for our arrival in the heat. Still our arrivals were filled with great fellowship and joy.
On the darker side, we went to two congregations near voodoo centers. In Desmangues, we could hear the drums going. But still the church came out to greet us under their lean-to that looked like a sneeze would collapse it.
Monday 7/4 - (Tim driving, Julien interpreter) - We traveled to Limonade where we met with Julien. Then to the Cap Haitian Orphanage. Two went separately to Cadouche. 
Tim Mastenbrook - I want to end on a lighter note. We had stopped in a fairly large town called Grande Rivierre to buy some rice to give out and have a soft drink. It was hot and not many people were on the street. All of a sudden, literally hundreds of people came charging out of their shops and homes, filled the street, and began yelling and jumping up and down in an absolute frenzy. Our interpreter shouted to us, “The radio has just announced that Brazil has won the World Cup Soccer championship. They’re celebrating.” Well, although somewhat handicapped, we just did our best to blend in.
Tuesday 7/5 - Heading home to the U.S.
In closing, our stay with the Dirrims, in Haiti, was hot and muggy but they were great host always trying to accommodate us. The Dirrims at the Center for Biblical Training (CBT) are the pillar of the Church of Christ’s in the area. Leadership and training for the local preachers is provided. Hope and guidance are given so the local preachers have that stability that is needed. Briana went with us on most trips and provided an invaluable service of interpretation. She may be a teenager but has the responsibility of an adult. Thank you Briana.
Help is greatly needed! Poverty can go lower than expected in this world. How we can help is what will need to be decided. What is the best way to help – Food and clothing for sure. However, since we care so much about the children, I want to provide them with all the things they need. Provide them with the tools to progress with our help so they can be self supportive and free from poverty. Provide Jesus Christ!
Haiti needs the church and needs the knowledge of Jesus Christ. Food and clothing is a great need. You can provide many different items. However, I believe that in order to provide availability you need transportation. There is a way to purchase motorbikes for transporting preachers and providing a means to move about at a very reasonable price. If the roads were in better conditions, a vehicle would be great, but the roads are very bad, so motorbike is the way to travel.
Tim Mastenbrook
Although food and clothing at first come to mind, the Haitian church leaders plead not for the things of this world. No, they plead for the only real answer for all of us, the good news of Jesus Christ and the hope of Heaven. Instead of sending things that "moth and rust destroy", they say why not "Send the Light"?
They ask for funds for Creole Bibles and songbooks. For motorbikes to spread the gospel beyond their abilities to walk or ride bicycles or Tap-Taps. They ask for the means to rent "buildings" for congregations and mission schools. For the opportunity to actually own church property and simple buildings. For simple benches to worship on and Coleman lanterns for night Bible studies. For funds to meet the needs of their orphans and widows and elderly and critically ill, and to be able to pay mission school teachers $25 a week.
These yield the treasures of Heaven. These will bring more lost souls to the true knowledge of Jesus Christ. These will help provide the only hope worth having in this land of hopelessness. Those at World Radio already know how to put together a group to faithfully administer whatever anyone might wish to give. They already know of those in Haiti that will volunteer as well as some who have traveled there extensively over many years. What good will come of this effort? The Haitians say, "Bondye konnen!" (God knows!).