A recent article in a church newsletter written by someone who has visited the mission two times and is planning to lead another trip soon speaks about why someone might want to consider going to LaCroix on a mission trip:

"There are lots of questions floating around regarding participation in these trips. Perhaps the most frequently asked question is "What would I do there? I'm a computer geek-photographer-teacher-chemist-artist-architect-secretary-engineer-historian-pastor-mother-attorney-etc." One answer to that question is "Whatever is needed". Sometimes the work we do at La Croix matches our professions, as when an electrical engineer leads a group in wiring the cafeteria, or an architect draws plans for a new clinic, or a computer specialist sorts out the problems with Pastor Pierre's setup, or a nurse administers treatment. But sometimes we just do what is needed…an artist and a chemist teach 3rd-graders to play recorders, an engineer hands out medications at a remote mountain clinic, a pastor organizes construction materials. It's not that we don't plan work in advance of going…we work with the people in La Croix to find out what needs attention… but the specific projects that we take on depend in large measure on the people who go. If some of our group have the expertise, we may be wiring, plumbing, or doing other skilled labor. Some will work with the children, and some will work on water quality. There is work to be done on the Community of Hope, and we want to dedicate the second house there to the memory of George King. We will work with the Le Femme de La Croix on the scarf project. We could help with the reforestation project or perhaps plant bamboo and fruit trees at the Community of hope. And of course there is always plenty of work to do at the clinic. So if you have been thinking at all about joining in one of our trips, do not be concerned about whether you will "fit". You might build a house or hold a baby. But you can be sure that you will be useful.

This is not the typical vacation…there is lots of hard work to be done. It's hot, dusty, and heartbreaking to see the poverty and hardship endured by the Haitian people. Someone asked if we go there to convert the Haitians to Christianity. Sometimes that might happen, but really, I think we go there to convert ourselves…to give ourselves a way of living out the beautiful heart of the Gospel that asks us to serve others in the name of Jesus."

-- Bobbie Hartman