One of the Visioning
Statement goals of the Presbytery of Northern Waters is to actively
engage in international mission. The Presbyterian Church of
Cloquet, Minnesota, has been fulfilling this vision by joining
with Haiti Outreach of Minneapolis. Groups from Cloquet travel
to Haiti several times each year to assist Haitians in improving
their lives through projects requiring local development, labor,
and management. All of the projects are requested, designed,
built, and maintained by Haitians.
Working in the village of Pignon and the surrounding area,
these groups have focused on building water systems for villages
and drilling wells. They helped two communities build and furnish
a public school and homes for people who are selected by the
community.
Three members of the Cloquet, Minnesota, church were part
of a group of ten who traveled to Pignon in February 2006. The
group was privileged to attend the dedication of three safe
water wells, one supported by Haiti Outreach and two supported
by Rotary Club members from Minnesota. They also sanded and
varnished the trim to complete the Micro Lending Bank located
in the Haiti Outreach building. The bank will make loans to
the women of Haiti to start their own businesses. Cloquet church
members also started work on a home for a family in need.
The children in Haiti desperately want to go to school, but
most do not have the money to do so. Some who can go walk as
long as two hours to get there. The churches are full each Sunday
with those who love the Lord and express it from their hearts
in song. Please pray for the people of Haiti.
The Presbytery of Northern Waters has 61 churches and 7,752
members. |
