New Around the Mission

Women's Encounter Partners with Mission to Haiti

May 14, 2010

The words “women’s retreat” invoke thoughts of inspiring speakers, talking to friends late into the night, playing games, laughing hard and . . . filling plastic bags with toiletries? When Christ Church Anglican in Overland Park, Kansas, decided to include something missional to the agenda of their bi-annual Women’s Encounter, they chose to partner with their mission team travelling to Savanette, Haiti. While participants experienced traditional retreat activities, many women took part in an outreach project during free time.

“We heard from speakers about being open and transparent and spent time meditating on healing and forgiveness through the cross of Christ,” Tracy Rosenthal, retreat coordinator explains. “As part of our missional focus, we asked everyone to donate toiletry items to the women of Haiti. Many of us spent time sorting and assembling the care kits, writing personal notes and praying over them.”

Christ Church sends a team to Haiti twice a year and has an enduring relationship with the people of Savanette. After becoming aware of the need for a primary school in the country town twenty years ago, the congregation raised funds and built St. Jean Baptiste School. They have also funded salaries for the headmaster, teachers and a healthcare worker since the school opened.

During this year’s trip, the team will offer support and encouragement to their friends and students at the school as well as assess the need for additional classroom space and a new roof to the overcrowded structure. They will also distribute 38 personal care kits donated by retreat attendees and goody bags made by the Sunday School kids.

Whether practicing the sacrament of presence on the ground in Haiti or at home in Kansas providing both practical and prayer support, the people of Christ Church are communicating Jesus through word and deed with their Haitian brothers and sisters.

Posted By: Cynthia P. Brust
Categories: Faith in Action