Page 29 - March 4, 2019
P. 29
THE WEEKLY ANCHOR
PAGE 24 MONDAY FEBRUARY 25, 2019
THE WEEKLY ANCHOR MONDAY MARCH 4, 2019 PAGE 29
Four community members return from
'life changing' missions trip to Haiti
by Cassie Kushniruk
After embarking on a 'life changing' missions
trip to Haiti on February 2, four members of the
Edson Mennonite Church returned to Edson on
February 18 to share their story with the church
congregation.
Following a ladies retreat in May 2018, church
members Kate Kauffman, her daughter, Ayva,
along with couple Jake and Joan Thiessen
decided that they would embark on a two week
missions trip to Haiti in February 2019 through
the non-profit organization Haiti ARISE.
Haiti ARISE (Actively Raising Individuals to
Serve and Evangelize) is a registered Canadian
charity focused on raising up godly leaders in
Haiti through education to strengthen their
families, neighbors, and the country while
bringing relief to poverty, stimulating the
economy, and “preaching the good news so that
lives will be saved and hope for a strong future
will be given to Haiti”.
Since its formation in 2000, Haiti ARISE has
managed to build a health care center, a church,
an elementary school, a children's village, a
technical institute, and a birthing centre in the Kate Kauffman, her daughter Ayva, as well as Joan and Jake Thiessen shared stories from their recent
community of Grand Goave and have begun missions trip to Haiti with the Edson Mennonite Church congregation on February 24.
expanding their reach to surrounding
communities in order to transform the country.
On February 24, under a week after returning it, a pen, and a notebook. “They loved it,” said “Eventually we realized that wasn't going to
from Haiti, the group of four from Edson led a Kate. happen, so we went in a helicopter.”
church service at the Mennonite Church where During one of the days of the conference, the Thankfully, the entire group returned home safe
they shared stories from their trip and explained ladies in attendance participated in a nail care and sound on February 18.
how their time in Haiti impacted each of their day, where they primed and painted their nails When the group was asked what the highlight
lives. and had the opportunity to take home a nail care of their time spent in Haiti was, Jake recalled a
After sharing several songs they learned in kit with nail polish. “Some ladies already knew moment during one of their first days there, “On
Haiti, the group gave all the children in the how to care of their nails, but a lot of the ladies the way to the jobsite, all these children were
congregation handmade bracelets they acquired didn't even know how to use a nail file,” going to school and they were all giving us fist
in Haiti, each of which included the individual mentioned Kate. bumps and high fives.”
children's names. Throughout the women's conference, the Kate and Joan agreed that their favorite
Following this, the group began their group from Edson were awestruck by the memory was the way the Haitians worshipped.
presentation of their time in Haiti. Haitians' energy and soul they put into “They just worshipped with their whole heart
One of the first things the group of four noticed worshipping through singing and dancing. and it was really lively,” said Kate. “They like to
upon arriving in Grand Goave, Haiti was the “They just worship with their whole heart,” said clap and add extra rhythms, which was really fun
substantial amount of garbage lying around. “I Kate. “Their whole body would be moving, to listen to.” Joan added, “They fully worshipped
expected there to be garbage there, but not that their hands would be in the air, and they would with their body, spirit, and mind.”
much,” recalled the Thiessens while showing a be praying through it all.” Kate also noticed that the Haitian people are so
photo of the mounds of garbage on the streets. While the ladies were occupied with these full of joy, “You wouldn't think that considering
“One of the most difficult times I had was activities, Jake was out at the Children's Village everything they're struggling with, but they really
seeing all the garbage,” Kate added. working on finishing one of the complexes. appreciate life.”
During their time spent in Grand Goave, each “The tiling went well,” he said. “We didn't quite Overall, the group of four from Edson enjoyed
of the Edson Mennonite Church members were finish the bathroom.” their time spent ministering in Haiti and helping
responsible to volunteer in a specific area. While Although the group of four from Edson were to improve the lives of Haitians through Haiti
Joan was in charge of creating crafts, the supposed to leave on February 13, they ran into ARISE. “It was a life changing experience,” Joan
Kauffmans helped lead the women's retreat while a situation as their pilot got caught in the middle said.
Jake helped with the construction of a home in of an unplanned riot on the day before. The group would like to extend their thanks to
the Children's Village. On February 12, the Canadian government the community for their continued support over
On their first official day in Haiti, Joan advised the group to evacuate to Canada but the past several months, whether through their
participated in a training session to create a they were unable to as the roads were blocked prayers or their willingness to help out with
beaded cross craft. “I took longer to make the due to the rioting. “We spent a couple of days fundraisers. “The community was really
crosses than what was allotted time for,” recalled hoping the roads would open,” said Kate. encouraging,” Joan said.
Joan. “I felt very defeated and discouraged.”
However, after supper on the same day,
everyone in their group of 24 helped Joan to
finish the craft, and it ended up being an
enjoyable experience. “In a way, it bonded the
team together,” said Joan. “I was laughing the
whole time.”
Kate later mentioned the significance of the
meaning of crosses in Haitian culture, “We found
out that in Haiti, crosses are actually associated
with voodoo. A lot of times they don't have a
cross in a church because it's associated with
voodoo.” Kate also added that a pastor was
planning on preaching about the cross in such a
way to redeem its significance in the eyes of
Haitians.
The Kauffmans helped run the women's
conference, which was held over a three day
period. “They've been looking forward to this
conference for a long time,” Kate mentioned. photo Deanna Mitchener
Each lady who attended the conference
received a gift bag which included a scarf, a Cheryl Maurice was pointing to the perfect spot for her floor curling partner to place their rock in hopes
flashlight, a booklet with specific Bible verses in they can win the game. The Pioneer Cabin has floor curling twice a week to enjoy without the cold of
being out on the ice. It's a great way for seniors to socialize over the long winter months.
PAGE 24 MONDAY FEBRUARY 25, 2019
THE WEEKLY ANCHOR MONDAY MARCH 4, 2019 PAGE 29
Four community members return from
'life changing' missions trip to Haiti
by Cassie Kushniruk
After embarking on a 'life changing' missions
trip to Haiti on February 2, four members of the
Edson Mennonite Church returned to Edson on
February 18 to share their story with the church
congregation.
Following a ladies retreat in May 2018, church
members Kate Kauffman, her daughter, Ayva,
along with couple Jake and Joan Thiessen
decided that they would embark on a two week
missions trip to Haiti in February 2019 through
the non-profit organization Haiti ARISE.
Haiti ARISE (Actively Raising Individuals to
Serve and Evangelize) is a registered Canadian
charity focused on raising up godly leaders in
Haiti through education to strengthen their
families, neighbors, and the country while
bringing relief to poverty, stimulating the
economy, and “preaching the good news so that
lives will be saved and hope for a strong future
will be given to Haiti”.
Since its formation in 2000, Haiti ARISE has
managed to build a health care center, a church,
an elementary school, a children's village, a
technical institute, and a birthing centre in the Kate Kauffman, her daughter Ayva, as well as Joan and Jake Thiessen shared stories from their recent
community of Grand Goave and have begun missions trip to Haiti with the Edson Mennonite Church congregation on February 24.
expanding their reach to surrounding
communities in order to transform the country.
On February 24, under a week after returning it, a pen, and a notebook. “They loved it,” said “Eventually we realized that wasn't going to
from Haiti, the group of four from Edson led a Kate. happen, so we went in a helicopter.”
church service at the Mennonite Church where During one of the days of the conference, the Thankfully, the entire group returned home safe
they shared stories from their trip and explained ladies in attendance participated in a nail care and sound on February 18.
how their time in Haiti impacted each of their day, where they primed and painted their nails When the group was asked what the highlight
lives. and had the opportunity to take home a nail care of their time spent in Haiti was, Jake recalled a
After sharing several songs they learned in kit with nail polish. “Some ladies already knew moment during one of their first days there, “On
Haiti, the group gave all the children in the how to care of their nails, but a lot of the ladies the way to the jobsite, all these children were
congregation handmade bracelets they acquired didn't even know how to use a nail file,” going to school and they were all giving us fist
in Haiti, each of which included the individual mentioned Kate. bumps and high fives.”
children's names. Throughout the women's conference, the Kate and Joan agreed that their favorite
Following this, the group began their group from Edson were awestruck by the memory was the way the Haitians worshipped.
presentation of their time in Haiti. Haitians' energy and soul they put into “They just worshipped with their whole heart
One of the first things the group of four noticed worshipping through singing and dancing. and it was really lively,” said Kate. “They like to
upon arriving in Grand Goave, Haiti was the “They just worship with their whole heart,” said clap and add extra rhythms, which was really fun
substantial amount of garbage lying around. “I Kate. “Their whole body would be moving, to listen to.” Joan added, “They fully worshipped
expected there to be garbage there, but not that their hands would be in the air, and they would with their body, spirit, and mind.”
much,” recalled the Thiessens while showing a be praying through it all.” Kate also noticed that the Haitian people are so
photo of the mounds of garbage on the streets. While the ladies were occupied with these full of joy, “You wouldn't think that considering
“One of the most difficult times I had was activities, Jake was out at the Children's Village everything they're struggling with, but they really
seeing all the garbage,” Kate added. working on finishing one of the complexes. appreciate life.”
During their time spent in Grand Goave, each “The tiling went well,” he said. “We didn't quite Overall, the group of four from Edson enjoyed
of the Edson Mennonite Church members were finish the bathroom.” their time spent ministering in Haiti and helping
responsible to volunteer in a specific area. While Although the group of four from Edson were to improve the lives of Haitians through Haiti
Joan was in charge of creating crafts, the supposed to leave on February 13, they ran into ARISE. “It was a life changing experience,” Joan
Kauffmans helped lead the women's retreat while a situation as their pilot got caught in the middle said.
Jake helped with the construction of a home in of an unplanned riot on the day before. The group would like to extend their thanks to
the Children's Village. On February 12, the Canadian government the community for their continued support over
On their first official day in Haiti, Joan advised the group to evacuate to Canada but the past several months, whether through their
participated in a training session to create a they were unable to as the roads were blocked prayers or their willingness to help out with
beaded cross craft. “I took longer to make the due to the rioting. “We spent a couple of days fundraisers. “The community was really
crosses than what was allotted time for,” recalled hoping the roads would open,” said Kate. encouraging,” Joan said.
Joan. “I felt very defeated and discouraged.”
However, after supper on the same day,
everyone in their group of 24 helped Joan to
finish the craft, and it ended up being an
enjoyable experience. “In a way, it bonded the
team together,” said Joan. “I was laughing the
whole time.”
Kate later mentioned the significance of the
meaning of crosses in Haitian culture, “We found
out that in Haiti, crosses are actually associated
with voodoo. A lot of times they don't have a
cross in a church because it's associated with
voodoo.” Kate also added that a pastor was
planning on preaching about the cross in such a
way to redeem its significance in the eyes of
Haitians.
The Kauffmans helped run the women's
conference, which was held over a three day
period. “They've been looking forward to this
conference for a long time,” Kate mentioned. photo Deanna Mitchener
Each lady who attended the conference
received a gift bag which included a scarf, a Cheryl Maurice was pointing to the perfect spot for her floor curling partner to place their rock in hopes
flashlight, a booklet with specific Bible verses in they can win the game. The Pioneer Cabin has floor curling twice a week to enjoy without the cold of
being out on the ice. It's a great way for seniors to socialize over the long winter months.
