 |
| Puzzling in Haiti |
This year I am working to plan my own trip to Haiti to visit with the children and to perform some level of work. In truth the main purpose of my visit feels more and more like it is to share with the children and let them know that they are known and loved by a community of people and help plan for their future; and less and less about any "project" we perform while in country. This is less true for the medical portion of the past trips as the doctors, doctors assistants, nurses, and EMTs that provide care bring invaluable assistance to the people of Haiti. But, with respect to the construction, I would prefer to provide a job for a Haitian than do the work myself.
I don't know what God has planned for this year, but I will work as if I am working for God and plan for the trip. I hope that others will join me and if you are interested please let me know. I am in contact with Pastor Mesidor who manages the group home and we will work to understand what we can do while in country with the understanding that what we can do is largely governed by how many and how much we can bring.
I have met a new brother through my current church in California, Arsene. He was born in Haiti and has been looking to do something in Haiti. God brought us together and I pray that he will be able to join me in Haiti this trip and help plan with me for longer term work in Haiti.
This change in plans and change in relationship with Haiti is huge. It means that I go from someone who focuses on raising fund mostly for my own purposes to someone that has to now not only concern myself with my costs, but that or the larger trip; including raising enough funds to make sure any trip has a positive impact on Pastor Mesidor, the children, and the community.
I will be blunt. I need to raise funds and lots of them. I am looking into how to raise those funds and how people might donate and get a tax benefit. But even if I can't promise a tax benefit this effort needs your help and I can promise complete accountability and transparency.
Please consider donating for this effort. I am looking to travel to Haiti in late March or early April. I will need funds for travel, housing, board, supplies for any work we undertake while in country, in country transportation, translators, and salary for local workers (again, I would rather pay and give a Haitian a job than do the work myself). If you are willing and able to donate please contact me at davidk.bainbridge@gmail.com. I am currently not using a fund raising site as they can take up to 10% of the funds. It may become necessary at some point to go that route, but not just yet.
Please pray for me and this effort. This does not happen without God, prayer, and you. Again, if you are able to donate or interested in coming on the trip please contact me at davidk.bainbridge@gmail.com.
Bay Bondye tout lwanj la.
