Particularly important to the
evangelical focus of the mission partnership has been the planting
of the Episcopal Church of Mombin Crochu by the Episcopal Diocese
of Haiti. This congregation now has 30 members and glorifies God
and our salvation in Jesus Christ through worship, sacrament,
and service. It has been an exciting process for us to witness
and in which to be involved.
We believe that the healing mission of Covenant Hospital is in
position to continue the momentum of its beneficial programs and
to build a stronger and more stable health care institution for
the benefit of poor people of the region. We see opportunities
for more extensive collaboration within the parties of the mission
partnership and with the leadership of the community. Doors seem
to be opening especially for Covenant Hospital to establish closer
connections with congregations and presbyteries called to engage
in medical mission for rural Haitian people.
At the same time, we can some trends that may be obstacles to
the mission at Covenant Hospital. Instability in the national
government and in the society adversely affects mission effort
in Haiti. Intermittent security threats hinder the planning necessary
for visiting teams ministry. The worsening condition of regional
roads is making logistical support of the hospital increasingly
difficult and expensive.
Covenant Hospital functions under the PC(USA)’s principle
of joining with a national church to do “mission in partnership.”
A mission partnership can be a complicated and fragile set of
relationships within which regular communication and interaction
is not always easily achieved. Yet it is vital in dealing with
foundational issues such as the varying levels of commitment of
each partner, financial procedures and accountability, and shared
vision. Uncertainties in the objectives impact the day-to-day
operation of the hospital and its ability to serve the people.
The mission environment is also less than ideal in the United
States, where mission support seems to be undergoing change and
challenge. Our support organizations report decreasing mission
contributions. The PC(USA) has been forced to reduce mission personnel
in the field and are prohibited by cost constraints from recruiting
replacements for our positions. Paradoxically, it seems that any
funding realized by our denomination’s new mission initiative
cannot be used to support mission posts already in place, such
as Covenant Hospital. So there is good reason to fear that future
financial support will be insufficient for the continued operation
of the hospital and its outreach. Yet we continue to hear from
congregations, church groups, and individuals who hunger for involvement
in God’s healing ministries.
The mission at Covenant Hospital Mombin Crochu is God’s
work and rests securely in His hands. To the extent that He wills
and the Holy Spirit acts, it will flourish to benefit the poor
people of rural Haiti.
The time has come for us to leave the hospital and the community.
The people and Christ’s labor here have engaged us fully
for the past three years, and we leave Haitian friends and colleagues
sadly. They have a fond and honored place in our hearts. The next
phase of our co-worker service is mission interpretation. During
the first three months of the new year, we will travel more than
5000 miles to visit and speak with 25 interested congregations
about mission work in general, about call to mission and mission
opportunities, and about the work at Covenant Hospital. We look
forward to rich fellowship with many new friends in Christ across
the United States.
We cannot adequately express how deeply we appreciate the faithful
prayer, assistance, encouragement, and love we have received from
each one of you as you have participated with us in this mission
over more than three years. Thank you, dear friends. God’s
richest blessings and the Peace of Our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ
be with you always.
In His Spirit,
Paul and Joan McLain
The 2004 Mission Yearbook for Prayer & Study, p.
136 |
