On November 25th, I will making my second trip to Haiti as a medical missionary and working on a medical relief team servicing the population of greater Port Au Prince as well as the other outlying rural areas. This special effort will be an integral part of Association of Baptists for World Evangelism's (ABWE) vision of evangelism that leads to church planting and church planting movements. As ABWE puts it, “A primary objective of this trip will be to share the love of Jesus Christ by providing primary healthcare for those in need. Caring for peoples' physical needs will often open the door to address their spiritual needs as well.”
Haiti recently received a lot of attention due to the 7.9 earthquake that struck just 10 miles outside of the densely populated city and capital of Haiti, Port Au Prince (population of 2 million). While over 40,000 bodies have been officially counted and buried in mass graves, the government estimates that the death toll may be as high as 270,000. That is 74 times the number that died in the WTC attacks just ten years ago.
As far as the conditions for the missionary staff, the team guide book states, “ABWE medical teams will be based at Baptist Haiti Mission (BHM). Transportation may be by truck or SUV to mobile medical clinics at urban or rural locations to be specified by BHM. The roads are extremely rough, so a one-hour ride may be required each direction. Participants will receive a prepared breakfast, take a sack lunch,and have a prepared dinner each night back at the base.” In other words, this is not a vacation.
Life expectancy in Haiti is 53 for males and 56 for females. Infant mortality is 76 of every 1,000 live births. 10% of all the children born are not expected to live to their 5th birthday. Approx-imately half of the population have no access to potable water and 65% live below the poverty level – and these statistics are from before the earthquake. The BHM is a well-established organization and has been in Haiti for years and has made great strides in getting the gospel out to the people of Haiti, however, less than 20% claim to be protestants. Most of the country profess to be Catholic, some combination of Catholicism and Voodoo or some other native folk religion.
As you may have surmised, Haiti, the mission staff and our team really need your prayers.
You may have heard others soliciting on my behalf for donations for this mission, and I urge you to take this opportunity to make your money really count toward something that God will surely bless and multiply (John 6:9-14). According to ABWE, the project fees and donations will cover the cost of lodging, local transportation, medical supplies and other materials needed during the course of the mission.
All donations can be made directly to the church, remember to specify that the donation is for “Zach Greenlee - The Haiti Mission”.
In case you'd like to familiarize yourself with the BHM, ABWE, and the International Healthcare Ministries (IHM), the following are their respective websites:
Most importantly, please remember the mission staff, the medical relief team and especially the people of Haiti in your prayers, and recruit your friends and family to do the same. Thank you.
Sincerely,
Zach Greenlee
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