Mission Trips
Every year since 1998, one to four teams have gone to the orphanage each winter (January thru March) to help with maintenance and repairs and build relationship with the children.
Some of the major accomplishments have been building a security wall around the 4 1/2 acre compound, building a warehouse, building a girls and a boys dormitory, making annual shipments to the orphanage (food, clothing, construction materials and supplies, vehicles, school supplies, bicycles, health supplies, household supplies and more). Most recently a second water well was drilled at the orphanage and a solar water system was installed to pump water. Currently the orphanage kitchen and a computer classroom are under construction.
More important than the work projects and supplying of resources to the orphanage is the building of relationships with the children and workers at Lifeline. We have often considered staying at home and just sending the money that is spent on travel expenses. As much as financial resources are needed in Haiti, Daniel and Nicole always encourage us to physically come and spend time with them, to visit their country and see how hard life is in Haiti. It is very difficult to identify with another person’s needs until you have walked along side them. For children that don’t have parents to hold them, comfort, and love them, the time that is spent with a child is priceless
The Denton Program
We are currently using the U.S government Denton Program which is administered by USAID (United States Aid for International Development) to move relief supplies into Haiti. This is done on a space available basis on U.S. military aircraft and only available into countries that the U.S is currently involved in.