Return to Haiti 2012

Two years ago I went to Haiti for ten days to work at a field hospital shortly after the earthquake that devastated this already impoverished country. (Haiti 2010 blogs 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6)

Two months after I left Haiti, I began an extended season of sickness and a long journey of personal struggles with speech and eventually a solution through Parkinson's medication which I have discussed for the past year on this blog.  Throughout my ordeal these two years, I have been unable to forget the people, the devastation, and heartache I experienced in Haiti.

In the last year, my church, Flood, in San Diego raised $200,000 to help Children of the Nations International (COTN) establish a mission base where they will eventually build a school, medical clinic, and other facilities that will allow them to reach out to the local community and invest in children who will someday transform Haiti. This past week, we packed 150,000 meals and thousands of care packages to be delivered to Haiti this summer.

I have the opportunity to go with a group of men from my church to help deliver those meals and care packages to Haiti July 21st-28th and also help the new COTN Haiti team in whatever way they need.  I consider it an honor to once again have an opportunity to help the people of Haiti.  Last time, besides doing physical labor at the field hospital, I was able to create a documentary with my students about the experience that was shown at film festivals and helped raise awareness.  I hope to use my video skills on this trip as well. You can watch our original documentary here: Haitian Hope: Field Hospital.  

I don't enter this trip without caution, as I still navigate the new normal of life on Parkinson's medication. But, I feel confident that I am going with a group of men I respect and trust, and I will be working with an organization, COTN, that kept me safe last time as well.  I have also found that in the middle of personal struggles and challenges, helping others is one of the most healing things you can do.  From the experience of eight international mission trips, I know that God will use my talents, gifts, and strengths to help others while He also works in my own life. 

If you would like to partner with me to help make this trip possible, you can donate funds to my trip at my fund raising site: markraines.stayclassy.org.  I need to raise $2,235 by June 21st, and I need $500 of that by May 1st.  If you know of anyone else who might be willing to support our efforts, please pass along that site to them as well.  I would also greatly appreciate your prayers as I raise support and prepare my body, mind, and spirit for this return trip to Haiti.

Thank you in advance for your support.