Dear Friends,

Once upon a Christmas far away in Bethlehem, Mary, great with child and riding a donkey, was looking for a place to deliver her precious Gift. With no room in the inn, the Savior of the world was born in a feeding trough surrounded by a slew of animals and bales of hay. Simply amazing!

It’s a beautiful image that’s hard to wrap our minds around, with our state-of-the-art hospitals, incubators, and epidurals. The birth of Jesus reads much more like a fairy tale in a far away land than anything that actually happens today.

The truth, though, is that cattle are still lowing next to women who are great with child with no place to go. These expectant mothers bring forth their precious miracles on dirt floors by the flicker of candlelight every night in Haiti.

Northwest Haiti Christian Mission’s birthing center is rewriting that script for thousands of women! Although many do come riding in on a donkey, they are met by some of the most skilled nurses in all of Haiti. A clean bed, tiled floors, and a new layette set for their beautiful baby awaits.

The skilled nursing staff at our Birthing Center, led by Sylveste (upper right).

Because of the lack of nutrition in Haiti, many babies are born prematurely. Mothers often come to the mission as soon as they discover they’re expecting. They know they will receive the prenatal care they need as well as an ultrasound that lets them know everything is developing just as it should.

We are able to provide prenatal care, lab work, medicines and delivery for only $50. While this is an unbelievably low amount, it is a major drain on our medical funds as we lovingly welcome over 100 miracles a month into the birthing center.

Here’s where you hopefully come in. We’re looking for 100 saints that will commit $50 a month toward bringing new life into the world. Your gift will help provide the staff and equipment we need as we walk side by side with Haitian women during the most at-risk time in their lives.

There is no greater gift given than the gift of life! Please help us welcome these little ones into the world by donating here or mailing your gift marked “Birthing Center” to:

Northwest Haiti Christian Mission
7271 Mayflower Park
Ziionsville, IN 46077

Let all the world rejoice!

Janeil Owen
Executive Director

Our summer 2011 interns enjoying an off day at Anse-a-foleur.

By Barb Enata, Stateside Travel Liaison

Whether you’re aware of it or not, God is doing radical things in Haiti!  He is feeding the hungry, caring for the orphan, taking in the elderly, healing people and and bringing HIS children from death to life.  You have a chance to be a part of HIS work.  The question is – are you ready to GO?  He could be calling you to be his hands and feet, to do something radical and join Him in Haiti.  Will you GO and join Him?

We are giving YOU the opportunity to be a part of something bigger then yourself.  YOU could be spending your summer investing in the work that God has been doing in Haiti to rescue, restore and redeem.    Maybe He is calling you now to do something radical!  Maybe its time to seriously pray about how He would want you to spend your time, where He would want you to invest your energy, how He would want you to love…and maybe Haiti is the place that HE needs YOU!

We are looking for radical people.  People that are willing to come and serve…to work hard, love hard and give everything to this work that God is up to.  As one of our interns you receive the opportunity to be a part of something extraordinary.

For years, American churches have been partnering with NWHCM and sending in workers.  God is using hundreds of people every year as part of HIS plan to partner with Haitian churches, build schools, build clinics, offer healing, spread the gospel and be JESUS to a hurting nation.  As one of our interns, you will be an important part of this partnership.  YOU will get to play an active role in connecting our travelers to the work that GOD is doing in Haiti.  YOU will be used by God to do things you can’t imagine.  YOU will be humbled, will learn so much more about who Jesus is, and will leave exhausted from using every ounce of energy you have to GIVE to the radical work that God is doing in Haiti!

Are you ready?

NWHCM offers internships all throughout the year.  If you’re looking for a way to spend your spring, summer, fall or even kick off a new year in January with an internship, we would love to have you apply.  You can find an application here or contact Barb at barb.enata@nwhcm.org for more information.

Children at NWHCM's school in La Fonte, Haiti. Andy Olsen photo

By Zach Clayton, NWHCM Sponsorship Coordinator

Over the years, the sponsorship program at Northwest Haiti Christian Mission has developed into one of the mission’s most personal and evocative ministries. Through it, donors are able to take part in a remarkable relationship that provides not only physical necessities in the present, but also unprecedented potential for the future of the children in the northwest region of Haiti from birth to adulthood. We are excited about this aspect of the ministry of NWHCM because it partners individual with individual, or family with family, all the way down to the point of meeting face-to-face.

When a person chooses to sponsor a child through NWHCM, that person is taking that child and providing nutrition, education, books, school supplies, personal care, medical treatment, love, and ultimately hope. You are saying, “I believe in you.”

Our hope  is that when you make the choice to sponsor an individual, that individual becomes a part of your family or community. We want your kids to know about the child in Haiti, we hope that you pray for them every night by name. We even hope that you will come see them!

It is so hard to communicate the beauty of what it is to sponsor a person in Northwest Haiti. Whether that be a child in an orphanage, one of the folks in NWHCM’s Gran Moun program, or a student in a community, the implications are far greater than what appears at first glance.

It is easy to slip into the notion that those of us contemplating sponsorship have more to offer, but the reality is charity goes both ways. The opportunities we can give to Haitians really have the potential to change their lives in a drastic way, but what is hidden is the way that they can change ours. Sponsoring an individual can show you things you have not seen. It can make you care like you have never cared and learn like you have never learned. What God does through our generosity and willingness to take a step toward bringing good to the world is unexplainable. It can only be experienced through faith and acts of generosity in what we have to give.

Click here to learn more or sponsor a child or adult today.

Zach and his wife, Christie, recently joined NWHCM as Sponsorship Coordinators. Originally from Indiana, they met while studying at Cincinnati Christian University, where they graduated in 2010. In their roles at NWHCM, they split their time between Haiti and the mission’s U.S. office in Zionsville, Indiana. Contact them at sponsorship@nwhcm.org.

The Neighbors Project is NWHCM’s approach to relief and development. Spend some time clicking around here to learn what it’s all about.

NWHCM staff perform a community needs assessment in La Baie des Moustiques. Dustin Waller photo

Northwest Haiti Christian Mission was founded on forging lasting relationships between North Americans and communities in Northwest Haiti. We place the Church at the center of that relationship, using it as an instrument for evangelism, relief and development. Our goal is nothing less than changing Haitian communities forever by sharing the love of Christ and meeting basic human needs.

But sometimes in overseas ministry, we sell ourselves (and the nationals) short by not using our God-given creativity. We limit our efforts to merely handing out “stuff” and going home, or by assuming we know the best ways to help.

At NWHCM, we want to make sure we are investing the hard work and service of our mission teams in the most effective ways to help Haitian communities. That’s why we’ve launched the Neighbors Project, an exciting initiative that helps focus our ministry efforts to make sure we’re meeting real needs.

The Neighbors Project is about teaming up North Americans with Haitian communities. It’s a partnership where Haitians and North Americans share physical and spiritual resources, with the mutual goal of bringing people out of spiritual, physical, economic, and social poverty.

Simply put, it’s about loving our neighbors in the global Church in the same way we love our own churches.

Have you ever done short-term mission and wondered if you could do more? Have you ever wanted to think outside the mission trip? Spend some time exploring here to learn more about the Neighbors Project. You’ll be glad you did.

May 24, 2011

Montello, WI — As the country of Haiti struggles in so many ways, there is good news as well. The launch of the first Living Food Bank aquaponic system will bring fresh fish and vegetables to many. The construction of this system is nearing completion on the Northwest Haiti Christian Mission (NWHCM) campus in Saint-Louis Du Nord, Haiti and the training for the individuals who will oversee the operation of the system has been completed in Montello, Wisconsin.

Trainees Chris Clarke (left) and Ed and Lora Ginter in an aquaponics demonstration greenhouse at Nelson and Pade, Inc., in Montello, WI, earlier this year. Photo submitted

Nelson and Pade, Inc., a Wisconsin-based company specializing in aquaponics and the creator of the Living Food Bank, in collaboration with NWHCM, has trained three enthusiastic people who will be managing the new aquaponic system at NWHCM. The Living Food Bank uses a science-based aquaponic system, solar energy and a tropical greenhouse to grow high quality fish and vegetable crops. Aquaponics is an integrated method of raising fish and vegetables in a soilless system. In Haiti, tilapia, a fast-growing fresh water fish, along with leafy greens such as Swiss chard, collards and kale, and peas, beans, eggplant, tomatoes and peppers will all be grown.

Ed and Lora Ginter, from Kentucky, and Chris Clarke, from Montana, traveled to Nelson and Pade, Inc.’s facility in Montello to complete a two-month Extended Stay Learning Program. Nelson and Pade, Inc.’s new demonstration greenhouse has various aquaponic systems in operation which are very close in design to the systems in Haiti so, even though the training took place far from Haiti, the information and application is parallel to the system at NWHCM.

Ed, Lora and Chris learned the daily operation of the systems, water quality testing and monitoring, fish feeding and feed calculations, filter maintenance, seeding, transplanting, harvesting and system assembly.

Nelson and Pade, Inc.’s John Pade and Education Director, Sarah Kaatz, provided direction and education to Ed, Lora and Chris. Other advanced principles covered included fish biology, fish stocking, plant culturing and health, pest scouting and control, bio-security, nutrient dynamics, system and greenhouse maintenance and more. Plus, the team assembled, tested, crated and shipped the complete solar energy system to Haiti.

Ed, Lora and Chris will travel to Haiti – Ed and Lora as long-term missionaries working to oversee this and other aquaponics projects, and Chris to assist with the start up and operation of this system. Rebecca Nelson and John Pade will also travel back to Haiti, to help with the start up of the system. As NWHCM expands their aquaponics projects and installs additional Living Food Bank aquaponic systems, they will have a serious impact on the availability of fresh food in Northwest Haiti and beyond.

This project is headed toward success due to the combination of using a science-based aquaponic system design and a comprehensive training program from Nelson and Pade, Inc., along with the well-established and very capable Northwest Haiti Christian Mission, a holistic ministry that currently feeds 15,000 servings per day, provides medical and surgical services, nutrition programs and many other services to residents of northwest Haiti.

For more information on aquaponics, systems or training programs, visit www.aquaponics.com.

Press release from Nelson and Pade, Inc.

Read more in the spring issue of Northwest Notes, a regular magazine of Northwest Haiti Christian Mission that arrives in mailboxes in April. Click here to download a PDF version of the entire issue.

Gary McDowell, 65, and his wife, Sandy, 63, were part of the original group that traveled to Northwest Haiti in 1977 and founded Northwest Haiti Christian Mission. Since then, they have served as missionaries in Saint Lucia and Mexico, among other countries. In January, Gary returned to visit NWHCM for the first time in more than 30 years. Northwest Notes editor Andy Olsen spoke recently with the couple at their home in Newburgh, Indiana, about their impressions. Following are excerpts from the interview. Parts of the interview also appear in the spring issue of Northwest Notes.

Andy Olsen: You were there on the original trip in 1977. Tell me about getting there.

Gary McDowell: We were there in ‘77 and ‘78, and I went back in ‘79. In 1977, I apparently carried with me a significant amount of cash, and I went up to La Croix and bought property, where we built our first church.

The big difference in terms of getting (to the Northwest) between now and then was that in 1977 there were no paved roads – I’m talking about Port-au-Prince to Gonaïves was not paved. In 1978, we went back and a company from Illinois had paved from Port-au-Prince to Gonavïes, and we were so happy. And we still had Gonaïves to Port-de-Paix as a trip to make, which was pretty rough.

AO: How did you come to go on that first trip?

GM: I was almost agnostic (after college). We moved back to my hometown, and we had somebody visit us. My first church service was a Wednesday night Bible study. I’m self-taught, I was studying and came to belief and then, quite frankly, tried to repay God by going into the hardest mission field I could come up with. A friend of ours named Larry Jamison had returned from India and he said, “Why don’t we go to Haiti?”

Gary and Sandy McDowell were members of the original mission group that eventually founded NWHCM in 1979. Andy Olsen / NWHCM staff

Sandy McDowell: Haiti totally changed our lives. And it’s been that way ever since. We really feel for Haiti and the people of Haiti. That’s why, at the end of the two weeks we were there, the group sat down and we decided we had to do something to help these people. We just couldn’t leave them. And that’s where we came up with Northwest Haiti Christian Mission That’s how it began. And we had no idea after all these years how much it had grown — no clue whatsoever. To see what it’s become today is overwhelming.

AO: On this recent trip, you flew up to the Northwest from Port-au-Prince. That must have been interesting, for the first time not having to ride a bus up there.

GM: Actually, (back then) we drove cars. We had a Volkswagon van and I drove a little Toyota, and the clutch went out on that thing. I drove it all the way from Port-de-Paix to Port-au-Prince with no clutch in 1979. That’s not easy, especially when you’re going through the water.

AO: What were your initial impressions seeing the main campus in Saint-Louis du Nord for the first time?

GM: I was kind of shocked. I’ve been in missions for 31 years where I’m face-to-face with indiginous people – laugh, tell jokes in Spanish, that kind of thing. I felt so isolated there I felt, man, I might as well be in Miami. It was unwarranted, but that was just my first impression. I later learned more, but it’s just so different from what we did when we started.

When we were in Haiti, what we would do is we would go to a streetcorner, Sandy would start singing and draw a crowd, and we would start preaching. We baptized 360 people in one campaign. It was this approach we were doing. It was just pure streetcorner evangelism.

AO: How have the towns of Saint-Louis du Nord and Port-de-Paix changed since you were last there?

GM: The roads are much worse than they were when we were there. They had a sand base on the roads when we were there, which you could drive 30 miles an hour. Which cuts your commute time significantly. When we first built (in Chalet), you would turn left out of the Beach Hotel there in 1978 and you were in open area, nothing was there. And you would drive all the way to La Pointe, and there was a hospital there, but there was nothing else really there. And they you would go the rest of the way to Saint-Louis du Nord, and there was nothing there. Now you go back and it’s wall-to-wall houses.

AO: Have the churches in Northwest Haiti changed since you were last there?

GM: Back then, it was such an infant church. There were a few pastors. But the congregation as a whole were babies. Fast forwarding to this year – very mature members of the church there. You know, 31 years later you would expect that. It’s a Haitian church, which is really good. I’ve been involved in missions a lot, and the biggest mistake missionaries make is Americanizing the churches. And this was a Haitian church, and that was a marvelous thing.

The missionaries that are there now…they are so committed, by and far more than anything we were. – Gary McDowell

AO: How have missions in Northwest Haiti changed since your first trips?

GM: We were a bunch of carefree, we’ll-take-the-chance, we’ll go-for-it-but-we’re in-and-out kinds of missionaries during the ‘70s. But the missionaries that are there now – you’ve got the Courtneys and the Melonnies, Janeil and his family – they are so committed, by and far more than anything we were. I’m not too sure I’m cut out of a bolt of cloth that could handle that sort of thing. I like my comforts too much, maybe it’s just old age.

SM: It amazes me what they go through in their everyday lives and that deep, deep commitment in their lives. I find it so gratifying.

AO: Tell me about your involvement with NWHCM’s prison ministry in Port-de-Paix.

GM: I did not visit the prison on this trip, but we had some people in 77 or 78 who went to work with the prison and they were just so shocked by the way the people were treated. And to see Melonnie (Kelly) and what she is doing there, I told her, I feel like I’m in the midst of a celebrity. She is just so passionate, It’s such a great thing she’s doing. I was so impressed with what she’s doing, so I thought at least I could come back and try to do something. Editor’s note: McDowell has applied for grants to provide clean water at the Port-de-Paix prison.

AO: You were in Haiti during the Baby Doc years. Walking around in the community, did you feel more or less safe on your trip this year?

GM: People in the street were less intimidated by Americans – I don’t know how else to say it. When we were there in the 70s, I think they were more respectful. It’s hard to put your finger on why, but maybe it’s the attitude of the kids. We went out one day and passed some kids flying a kite, and they were just – “Don’t take my picture,” you know, that sort of thing. It’s a changing attitude toward Americans, I think, and maybe rightfully so. We’re the most arrogant people in the world. But I always felt very safe.

AO: If tomorrow you could pick up and move to Haiti, is there any one need or area that you would like to shape or encourage?

GM: The preacher training school. I was not impressed with what was there. I see the same thing in some American churches, a lack of serious adult education at strong levels. I know there’s a Bible college there, but it was pretty unimpressive. That’s probably one area where I think I would work — teaching those young men to become preachers.

Click here to read more about Northwest Haiti Christian Mission’s history.

I remember my first mission trip so clearly. I was in 7th grade and I can still remember the people, the smells, my team, the places we saw, the way that we served and the huge way that God spoke to me. I was hooked and I knew I had to continue to pursue missions. Mission trips are when God opens up my eyes to a whole other world. A world that is so different than mine…yet so much the same. A world in need of rescue, restoration and redemption!

I want to invite you to be a part of the work that Northwest Haiti Christian Mission is doing! I invite you to GO and see how God is working in this part of the world….in the poorest region of the poorest country in the western hemisphere. My prayer is that you will have a similar experience to mine…a trip where God opens your eyes to how YOU can be used as the hands and feet of Jesus!

One of the most unique things about short-term trips with NWHCM is that we can use ANYONE! We have teams who work in our medical clinics, some do construction, some with children, some partner with us by adopting a church and providing physical and spiritual needs for a whole community…. every trip and every team looks different! We have teams throughout the summer, fall, winter and spring so there are many options when it comes to dates for your trip!

The need is large and we know that God is ready and waiting for more and more people to join us in all He is doing! Come and be a part of bringing real hope to Haiti.

Watch in HD

If you haven’t already done so please check out our Missions Trips Page and learn more about what your next steps are to signing up for a trip!

See you in Haiti!

Barb Enata Andres

NWHCM Travel Coordinator
barb.enata@nwhcm.org
(812) 786-9660

Matt. 10:42 tells us that “if anyone gives even a cup of cold water to one of these little ones because he is my disciple, I tell you the truth, he will certainly not lose his reward.”

What about six million cups of water?

In February, Northwest Haiti Christian Mission installed its first Sunspring Water Filtration System in the northwest zone from donations that were given to Hydrate Haiti, our campaign to fight cholera and provide clean water to prevent water-born disease. This one unit — which is now in use by travelers and every program at our main campus in Saint-Louis du Nord — will filter enough water for at least six million glasses of water this year alone!

The Sunspring, high-volume water purification system has been installed at NWHCM's main campus in Saint-Louis du Nord. Photo by NWHCM staff

That gets us excited, but it doesn’t stop there.

More Sunsprings are on their way because of special friends like you. From Indiana to New York, people have been actively engaged in fundraising efforts to purchase more water filtration systems for NWHCM.

In Southern Indiana, eight girls from Northside Christian Church raised over $20,000 through Facebook pledges, dance, selling bracelets and many more events. Did I mention they are only in the eighth grade? Check out a video about their work here.

In New York City, Forefront Christian Church held their annual Celebrate Generosity campaign. With weeks of promotion and three special events geared towards the initiative, they gave NWHCM over $35,000 for a water purification system and clean water projects.

That not to mention each one of you that gave sacrificially to help provide clean water to the people of Northwest Haiti. We thank you for your efforts! – Cameron Mayhill, NWHCM Director of Development

Mark Wilkerson will run for pennies.

Last year, the executive at OneAmerica Financial Partners set out to pass 2,000 runners in the annual OneAmerica 500 Festival Mini-Marathon in Indianapolis. In exchange, family, friends and complete strangers pledged to donate a penny to Northwest Haiti Christian Mission for every person he passed. When he crossed the finish line, Wilkerson had, in fact, passed more than 12,000 people — not bad for a self-described “old guy.”

And so “Run, Mark, Run” was born.

Now in the second year, Wilkerson runs again, and he will not run alone. Kentucky youth pastor Mark Graham and die-hard Philadelphia runner Mark Mullelly are joining Wilkerson in Indianapolis for the race on May 7. Supporters can pledge pennies for any or all of the runners.

Each Mark will run for pennies that will be designated to a specific cause. Wilkerson’s race will support NWHCM’s hospital and provide medical care to the neediest in Northwest Haiti. Graham’s race will help fund clean water projects to bring safe drinking water to Haitian communities. Mullelly’s race will help provide healthy meals to Haitian children at risk of malnutrition.

The trio’s collective goal is to raise $100,000 to help Haiti as they chew through 13 miles of pavement. In addition to pledges, supporters may also make one-time gifts toward the effort. All gifts are fully tax-deductible.

At Northwest Haiti Christian Mission, we believe that pennies can change the world. Learn more about Run, Mark, Run and make a pledge or a gift at runmarkrun.com.

May God bless you for your ongoing faithfulness and generosity in showing love to Haiti.

Follow Run, Mark, Run on Twitter at @rmr4haiti

RUN MARK RUN from NWHCM on Vimeo.

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Run, Mark, Run is a fundraising effort in partnership with Northwest Haiti Christian Mission. NWHCM is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization that aims to rescue others from hardship, restore families and communities to wholeness, and redeem lives to their full potential in Jesus’ name. For more than 30 years, NWHCM has demonstrated its commitment to help bring people out of spiritual, physical and social poverty.

At Northwest Haiti Christian Mission, we have been unmistakably changed. And as much of the international community rightfully assesses the effectiveness of post-quake relief and development efforts one year later, we want to take this moment to affirm that God is still good, still in control, and still redeeming our world unto himself.

Here is a video glance back at just a few of the ways the events of January 12, 2010 impacted Haiti.

Click here or the use the link underneath the embedded video to watch it in full HD.

Watch it in HD

Homepage photo: Marco Dormino / UN