Haiti Mission Trip

In March of 2008, New Horizon UMC sent six volunteers on a mission trip to Haiti. They were assigned to a Methodist school in Thor, an impoverished suburb of Port Au Prince. Each day the volunteers made their way from the Methodist guesthouse to the school with nearly 70 students. Work began by helping local workers remove the old, unusable structure that stood next to the one room school/church. Soon the volunteers were helping dig four-foot deep holes through rocky ground to provide proper foundations for the new structure. The new structure will enable more of the neighborhoods' children to attend and to have a kitchen that will provide a hot lunch program. By the time the six-day trip was ending, columns of rebar in concrete were in place, all funded by the wonderful donations of our congregation.

In addition to the work, much time was spent teaching an English speaking Bible school and creating bonds with the children. The love of Jesus was shared through stories, music, activities, and laughter. The children of the school were so warm and receptive to the teachings of God, despite many being hungry or thirsty. A further blessing was a visit to God's Littlest Angels orphanage up in the high ground above Port Au Prince. This baby and child ministry was started by a couple from right here in Central Illinois and now takes care of well over 100 children ranging in age from premature to teens.

The next trip to work on the Thor school addition is scheduled for February 16^th through 22^nd, 2009. If you would like more information about New Horizon UMC's work in Haiti please email Doug Berkman .