Travel to Port-au-Prince paused
Although travel is not possible right now, our board members remain in regular communication with the Sisters of the Companions of Jesus, our trusted partners in Haiti for decades.
Because we are unable to travel at this time, your financial support is more vital than ever. Your generosity allows us to continue funding our programs in education, elder care, and sustainable farming, ensuring that our mission continues even from afar.
Travelers Stories
“Above all else, my experience with Mission Haiti and the Missionaries of Charity in Leogane revolved around connection. It was a rare and sacred opportunity to drop everything familiar and embrace new people, a new language, and a new environment. We were embraced by a beautiful community as we worked alongside the sisters. I’ll never forget what we saw, heard, and felt.”
Molly Rusert, Traveled to Haiti June 2016“Haiti is a hopeful and beautiful place, but the culture shock was immediate. There was garbage in the streets and severe poverty everywhere I looked. I remember barred doors and barbed wire. I know that doesn't sound very hopeful or beautiful, but what I saw was a world of potential. And the people I met there reaffirmed that view
The children at Mother Teresa's were the highlight of the trip. I'd never changed a diaper before but lost count after the first day. Between diapers, I met a little guy named Charles. He was crying in his crib, so I picked him up and calmed him down. When I was pretty sure he was asleep I took him back to the crib and slowly started to lay him down. He perked right back up and grabbed my shirt. I could tell he had no intention of letting go. My new sidekick and I conducted our business together for the remainder of the trip. Or maybe I was his sidekick. Looking back, he seemed to be the one calling the shots.
Aside from the kids, I remember the friends I traveled with. I remember playing cards, flinging frisbees, digesting the day, digesting some mystery germ, and getting sick (don’t bite your nails). I remember being so happy and tired by the end of the day that I barely cared about sleeping in 90 degrees plus 90 percent humidity. Slight exaggeration but you get the picture.
I hope to get back there someday, and I’ll pray for peace and stability until then.
Ben Jackson, Traveled to Haiti in 2015“My first trip was in 2005 with Jack, Jimmy, Phillis & Annetta Sutton. Jack & I were at a Sunday mass at Annunciation when Jimmy & Phillis gave a presentation about their recent trip to Haiti for the dedication of our an Annunciation School in Leogane. The Sunday’s reading was about the two disciples on the road to Emaneus after the death of Jesus & how their hearts were were burning with fire. I whispered to Jack, “ Is your heart burning on fire?” His response was “ not exactly “ but he agreed to joined me in the lower level of the church to learn about Haiti. After that, Phillis Sheehan invited Jack & I
over for a glass of wine & told us that she had been praying that a couple from Annunciation would join she & Jimmy on their next visit to Haiti. Well, who could ignore an invitation like that? We were definitely called & recognized the opportunity to be a part of the founding of our parish mission the following year back in 2006. And what a journey & blessing it has been for me and my late husband, Jack. We both traveled every year, sometimes more, inviting many to join us to share in our love for our mission & our friends in Haiti. My very first memory is about the chaos, confusion & air pollution on the city streets lined with Tap - taps, the main method of transportation other than by foot or motorcycle. On the back of each was written , Merci Jesus. People would jump aboard & tap-tap when they wanted to get off -thus the name, tap-tap. On one of my trips I recall experiencing a ride with the locals & coming to understand just why each Tap-tap had the inscription “Merci Jesus”
Connie Pelner, Founding Member of Mission Possible