Morrison Heights recently returned from our fourth trip to Haiti where our mission team encountered a country still in shambles and in dire need of housing. Thousands upon thousands of Haitians are homeless, living under plastic tarps. In fact, the view from the airplane approaching Port-au-Prince airport is a sea of blue tarp villages across the landscape. It reminds me of our Mississippi Gulf Coast and all the blue tarps that covered every home along the Katrina-ravaged region.
After arriving in Port-au-Prince our team traveled to the Baptist Global Response compound and visited with the BGR leaders. On this trip, Morrison Heights went to Haiti to assist BGR in the construction of a block home (pictured) for a Haitian family. Our site for the build was in Petit Goave, Haiti, a coastal town approximately three hours south of Port-au-Prince. As the team traveled to our destination we were again reminded of the total devastation and destruction the Haitian population is facing.
Reflecting on the remains that is Haiti, I cannot help but think about how blessed and fortunate we are to live in America. In fact, in relation to Haiti and the majority of the world, America is a rich nation. The world looks at America as a nation of plenty. In most countries, just a couple of dollars would be a tremendous blessing for those living in the poorest segments of our world.
I am reminded of the account in Luke 18 where the rich young ruler asked Jesus “what shall I do to inherit eternal life?” In short Jesus told him to keep the commandments and sell all that he had and give it to the poor. If we truly want to have a right relationship with God, we cannot allow possessions to stand in our way.
In Haiti, we encountered families and individuals that have absolutely nothing except their faith in God. We saw children living in an orphanage praising and worshiping God. We encountered pastors in small villages walking the streets sharing their faith with nonbelievers. We heard non-governmental organizations praying for God to send funds so that they could minister to the thousands who have nothing to eat and no home to live in. Devastation and despair are widespread in Haiti, and the need is great, but our God is greater than the need and I am confident that in time He will answer the prayers of His children.
Through God’s vision for our church we have set a goal of sending teams to Haiti every month during 2010 to help build homes for the estimated 1.2 million Haitians living in tarp cities. The church has sent four teams since the earthquake and hopes to send additional teams in September and the following months. We have partnered with Haitian Christians and several churches in and around Port-au-Prince. Morrison Heights, in conjunction with Baptist Global Response and Samaritan’s Purse, will attempt to build wood homes and block homes as God directs. Each home will cost approximately $500.00 to complete.
The need for homes in Haiti is tremendous and God has provided an opportunity for us to help. Would you consider going on a mission trip to Haiti? Would you give to fund a home for a Haitian family? Please join us as we try to provide safe, secure housing for those in Haiti who have suffered so much. A Haiti relief account has been set up at Morrison Heights. If you would like to help with the construction of a home, a check can be sent to Morrison Heights Baptist Church, 3000 Hampstead Blvd., Clinton, MS. 39056. Every penny given to the designated account will be spent to build homes in Haiti.
If you or your church would like to partner with Morrison Heights in this mission effort, please contact Rev. Mark Sandifer at 601-260-0435 or by e-mail at Msandifer@morrisonheights.org.
Haiti Disaster Relief Update
Baptist Global Response is coordinating the Southern Baptist relief work in Haiti. Read about this effort on their 
