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  1670 Route 25A, Cold Spring Harbor, NY 11724  ·   (516) 692-6368  ·   Give

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October 2016 Delegation

During the last week of October 2016, a small group from St. John’s traveled to Haiti as representatives of the St. Matthias Partnership. The travelers included Laura Swiggett, Jamie Wylie, Isabel Hanson, and Rev. Gideon Pollach. Over the course of three short days, we had productive and informative meetings with a range of people and organizations to discuss projects related to our recently-submitted Rotary grant. We visited a Haitian-owned solar company, met with a local engineer who oversees well-digging projects, and discussed possible collaborations with the Assistant Director of Zanmi Agrikol (an agricultural research and training academy that could be a great resource for endeavors such as the goat project at St. Matthias). We also had the opportunity to join the Rotary Club of Mirebalais for their weekly dinner meeting, where we discussed the Rotary grant and watched a video about the grant by Michael Fairchild. Perhaps most importantly, we had a chance to sit down with the lay leadership of St. Matthias to catch up on news from Deslandes and discuss next steps for the Rotary supported projects. We also spent time reflecting on the partnership and making plans for the future with Pere Alphonse, the priest who oversees the St. Matthias church and school. We returned energized and excited about the work ahead, which the lay leaders described as “essential” to the development of their community. Shoulder to shoulder, we can accomplish great things.

-- Isabel Hanson


Daily Texts Sent from the Travelers While in Haiti:

10/26
Bon swa! We arrived safely and all is well. We just visited the only manufacturer of solar panels in Haiti – very interesting! On our way to lunch in Croix des Bouquets, then on to Mirebalais. Our driver/translator, Cyril, is terrific. We are in exceptionally good hands. More later!

10/27
We had a long but very good day yesterday. Gideon is so happy to be back among old friends in Haiti, and to be here with St. John's.

Lunch yesterday was one of the most delicious meals we have ever had in Haiti – goat or chicken (choice!) in a zingy passion fruit ginger sauce with pikliz (spicy pickled cabbage), rice, fresh avocado, tomato papaya salsa and fried plantains – yum!!! Peter Charles, we MUST figure out how to make that sauce! And, by the way, we also had some meetings We had a long conversation with Pere Alphonse about communication and how to manage the Rotary projects. Eudras and Rotary engineer Dorce joined us for dinner. More talk about water and solar and, most importantly, how to build an effective team among all the stakeholders.

We will go to La Chapelle this afternoon to meet with St. Matthias lay leaders to further that conversation. Rotary dinner tonight, then home tomorrow – a whirlwind! But so necessary.

Now, back to Haitian coffee and the wonderful sounds of Mirebalais waking up – animated market sellers, school children laughing, motorcycle taxis, banana trucks, honking horns, roosters. Such a rich cacophony!

10/28
Greetings from the Port au Prince airport! Yesterday was a full and productive day. In the morning, we visited an offshoot of Partners in Health called Zanmi Agrikol, an agricultural research and training academy that may be a good resource for us in things like the goat project. We visited the Peligre Dam where the Artibonite River begins and drove through the original Partners in Health site in the town of Cange.

In the afternoon, we met with the St. Matthias lay leaders. Seated in a circle under a tree, we caught up with our friends from Deslandes and discussed next steps for the Rotary project.

In the evening, we joined the Mirebalais Rotary Club for their weekly meeting at the Hotel Mirage. After a delicious meal, Jamie presented the project and we watched the video put together by Michael Fairchild. We then met with the well digger who has great confidence that there will be accessible water in Deslandes.

We ended the night by doing "check-in" by the Mirage pool, catching our breath after a busy day. We are sad to be leaving Haiti so soon, but look forward to reflecting on all we have seen and learned with you all upon our return!

Share this page: October 2016 Delegation
St. Matthias Fellowship, Haiti 2021 Haitian Fête October 2016 Delegation 2016 Haitian Fête January 2016 Delegation 2015 Haitian Fête January 2015 Delegation

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Sermons

  • Jan 29 | The Rev. Dr. Craig Townsend
    Doing research is doing justice
  • Jan 15 | The Very Rev. Gideon L. K. Pollach
    Hey, Jeff! Did you see that?
  • Jan 8 | The Very Rev. Gideon L. K. Pollach
    CPR, Dr. Jim, Barry Gibb, and your baptism
  • Dec 25 | The Very Rev. Gideon L. K. Pollach
    Christmas Surprise at the Clara Barton Rest Area
  • Dec 11 | The Very Rev. Gideon L. K. Pollach
    What do you see? What do you hear?

© St. John's Episcopal Church
1670 Route 25A, Post Office Box 266
Cold Spring Harbor, NY 11724
(516) 692-6368

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SUNDAY SERVICES

  • 8:00 a.m. Holy Eucharist
  • 10:00 a.m. Holy Eucharist or Morning Prayer

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St. John's Episcopal Church
1670 Route 25A
Cold Spring Harbor, NY 11724

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(516) 692-6368

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St. John's Episcopal Church was the first religious institution to be established in Cold Spring Harbor. The first Episcopalian services were held in the little 18th century school house just above the site of the present church. The very first Vestry minutes, written in fine script on September 4, 1831, lists the founders who pledged $2,000 to build a new church.

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“If you are seeking after God, together we might find them.”

Seeking after God is one of the principle marks of Christian discipleship. Christians look for God, and find God, in all parts of life, but sometimes it helps to have company. That’s what the church is for. We are the fellowship of those who seek to find Jesus in their lives. We are companions in life and in the spiritual journey.

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