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Spring Update 2004
4402 Howell Place
Nashville, TN 37205-3419
Telephone 813-960-7523
"For I know the plans I have for you," declares the Lord, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future…" Jeremiah 29:11
Haiti in Crisis, Opportunity or Threat
Hearts have been touched by the political upheaval and humanitarian tragedies that have afflicted Haiti in recent months. Many have responded with prayers and pocket books when physical presence by American missionaries has been curtailed. In addition, personnel transitions in the leadership of CMP have added to the challenge of ministry in these already challenging times. Perhaps, no one can predict what the next few months will bring politically in Haiti. However, your prayers, financial support, and volunteer time can and does make a difference in the lives of those touched by CMP.
What is CMP doing?
Christian Mission of Pignon (CMP) serves as an open window to and for Christianity to nurture the spiritual growth of both the Lord's servants and the people of Haiti and to practically demonstrate the love of Jesus Christ to our Haitian brothers and sisters by assisting the region with long term, self-sustaining program efforts in the areas of preventive and acute health care; functional literacy and educational opportunities; clean water and essential sanitation facilities; agricultural development and training; and community and economic development.
How are we doing?
There is good news and bad news as some ministries have been more successful than others. Universally, though, needs exceed our human abilities to meet them. Perhaps you or someone you know can pray, give, or go to meet these needs.
PREVENTIVE MEDICINE
Our goal is to increase vaccinations, reduce diarrhea diseases, improve nutritional levels, and teach healthy child spacing and sex education. While we have made progress in years past, much work is needed to achieve acceptable levels of prevention. This is especially critical in light of plans to expand facilities for the prevention of AIDS and Sexually Transmitted Diseases.
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| Serge Novembre’s hand was saved through surgery that repaired the large wound to his wrist tendon, nerve, and muscle. Hopital de Bienfaisance is the only hospital close enough to provide this care for Serge. |
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We are very blessed to have several CMP Coordinators: Surgery - Dr. Paul Severson, Dr. Art Trask; Anesthesia - Dr. Ernest Kistler, Jim Metzelaars; Radiology - Dr. Chuck Benson; Laboratory - Steve Kennedy; Dental Care- Dr Jim Birong; Eye Care- Dr. Chris Den Ouden. The Medical Director in Pignon is Dr. Rouchon. Unfortunately, most of the volunteer teams in Spring 2004 were forced to cancel their trips. Obviously, the absence of volunteer medical teams has left many critical needs of all sorts unattended. A summit meeting of several teams in early February was able to further develop plans for hospital expansion and improved technology in telesurgery and telephone communications. We are deeply grateful to the committed and talented leadership of all of the medical coordinators. The quality of facilities and health care delivery has continued to improve on many fronts, thanks to their leadership. Especially noteworthy is the skilled and visionary leadership of Dr. Ken Van Dine. He and Judi were recognized at the February summit meeting in Pignon for their many years of dedicated service.
Despite temporary interruptions in classes in February, Joanne Shafer and Tom and Esther McCullough have continued to maintain and grow the HELP and HASP scholarship programs respectively. HELP is the Haitian Education and Literacy Program for primary and secondary school and HASP is the Haitian Advanced Scholarship Program for post-secondary education. The 2003-04 school year began with 602 HELP students sponsored by 438 sponsors along with 17 HASP students. Despite the need for more sponsors at the university level, Philo graduates are making excellent teachers in the ever-increasing school population
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| Both of Islande’s parents are deceased but she is able to attend Lycee Nationale School thanks to her HELP sponsor. | |||
The goal to nurture spiritual growth and salvation and foster foreign based/Haitian support relationships is currently done primarily as the other ministries of CMP are carried out. Volunteers with a vision for the spiritual growth and salvation of the Haitian people are needed to partner with Haitian leaders.
POTABLE WATER
In November 2003, CMP and the people of Haiti lost a dear friend, Mr. Jay Lawhon. Not only was he significantly responsible for the drilling of numerous wells in the Central Plateau region, he was a former CMP Board President and responsible for numerous contributions to the Pignon community. He is dearly missed.
In the past year, around 225 water wells were maintained in the Pignon and four-clinic town area. Jude Augusma oversees this work in cooperation with the World Christian Relief Fund. While no CMP funds are
available for further well drilling, CMP goals remain to increase clean water supply, improve sanitation conditions, and manufacture hand pumps for wells.
AGRICULTURE
We need help here. The Farm is currently involved with small amounts of agricultural development. Available land is greatly underutilized. While Jude Augusma is able to spend a portion of his time with the Farm, a volunteer CMP Coordinator is needed.
CMP’s commitment to improve agricultural conditions and implement reforestation programs must have increased human and financial resources in order to significantly impact the quality of life in the region.
Mother’s and Father’s Clubs operating with a grant from the UN Foundation are flourishing, but long term results will only be known with time. Annerithe Jean Pierre is administering this micro-credit program of 346 men and women. A volunteer Community Development Coordinator is needed to help establish further community cooperative incentives and opportunities. Creative assistance is critically needed for all of Haiti in this area. Perhaps volunteers through CMP can show the way.
ADMINISTRATION AND FACILITIES
It should be noted that countless hours and dollars from volunteers have continued to keep facilities maintained and refurbished under the general leadership of CMP Facilities Coordinator Larry Madole. Likewise, the volunteered time in administration and board governance has been graciously given by many who feel called to be a part of the Christian Mission of Pignon. Still, the need continues for new board members and those willing to help with administrative needs. Prayers and volunteers are earnestly sought.
The Most Recent Emergencies
E-mail pleas for help went out in February and March for medical and food assistance resulting from the nation wide crisis in Haiti. The gifts from many in the CMP network have provided food and medicine to literally hundreds from around Pignon. Food has been distributed to more than 3,000 people including school children and widows. Recipients have been from all faiths and various poor communities. Victims of violence as well as those assaulted by starvation have sought and found relief in the helping hands of the Missionary Bienfaisance Hospital. Likewise, aid agencies such as the International Committee of the Red Cross and others have worked together to provide needed emergency supplies and equipment to Pignon.
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| Some of the thousands fed through CMP donations. |
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"…hope and a future. Then you will call upon me and come and pray to me, and I will listen to you. You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart." Jeremiah 29:12
Spring of 2004 certainly brings both opportunity and threat. We hope that you will take this time as an opportunity to pray about any thing that you have seen in this update that touches your heart. Your prayers are needed now and on a continual basis. Further, it is hoped that you will seriously consider if God is leading you to share of your time or financial resources to minister to those in need in Haiti. For sure, a blessing awaits for those who give as well as those who receive. May God richly bless you.
Needed:
With the goal of all CMP activities becoming self-sustaining, we currently are in need of:
1. Funds for medicine, supplies, and to pay hospital workers.
2. Volunteer coordinators in the fields of agriculture and community development.
3. Prayers for the ongoing plans for expansion and upgrade of facilities and technology in and around the hospital.
4. Prayers for the safety, wisdom, and strength of all the staff in Pignon who continue to do God’s work in trying times.
If you would like to receive e-mail updates or have other comments, please send them to CMPHaiti@aol.com
Donations, which are tax-deductible, are sincerely appreciated and may be sent to:
- Christian Mission of Pignon
- 309 Belle Meade Blvd.
- Nashville, Tn 37205-3419
- 309 Belle Meade Blvd.