A seven-member mission team from the Diocese of Alabama will spend more than a week in Haiti this month constructing classroom furniture for schools in the Episcopal parish of Croix des Bouquets.

The team is scheduled to depart the United States Oct. 13 and return Oct. 21.  While there, team members will work side-by-side with Haitian carpenters to construct desks and benches for Episcopal primary schools in the villages of Gorman and Lilavois.

"When we visited Haiti a year ago, there was no school at Gorman, and students at Lilavois were using chairs turned backward for desks," said the Rev. Deacon Dave Drachlis, Alabama's Companion Diocese Commission co-chair.  "We were struck by the overwhelming need of our brothers and sisters in this country, but also by the steadfast faith, unquenchable hope, and warm love of the people we met."

"The Episcopal Church in Haiti is working diligently to make a difference in this the poorest country in the Western Hemisphere, and we are pleased to be partnering with them in the love and service of our Lord," Drachlis said.

While in Haiti, time-permitting, team members will also visit the village of Thomazeau to check on the progress of a well and water system project, which the Diocese of Alabama is helping fund.  Some members of the team will visit the small remote village of Crochu to check on our brothers and sisters there. 

With the exception of Crochu, which is in the mountains, the villages are situated in the Plaine du Cul de Sac, which stretches east from the capital city of Port-au-Prince to near Haiti's border with the Dominican Republic.

The team is carrying approximately 300 pounds of school supplies and vitamins for Lespwa Timoun, a clinic for malnourished children.  

Team members are: Rick Vise, All Saints Church, Birmingham; the Rev Polk VanZandt, Rector, St. Paul's Church in Selma; Mary Balfour VanZandt, St. Mary's on the Highlands, Birmingham, and the Rev. Deacon Dave, and Sharon Drachlis, Jeannie Randall, and Jane Berry, all of St. Thomas Church in Huntsville.

Purchase of the construction materials for the mission was made possible by generous donations by parishes and individuals from throughout the diocese.  Vitamins, school supplies, and some tools were also donated by parishioners and people from outside the diocese.

"The response to our diocesan ministry in Haiti is overwhelming," said Drachlis.  "We are so thankful for the tremendous support we have received.  So many people have contributed so much, and they will accompany us in spirit as we travel."

The Diocese of Alabama is in a companion relationship with the Episcopal Diocese of Haiti.  Haiti's Bishop, the Rt. Rev. Zache Duracin has asked Alabama to focus its relationship with the parish of Croix des Bouquets, which consists of six geographically separated churches, led by the Rev. Fritz Valdema.

Individuals and parishes interested in supporting Alabama's companion diocese relationship with Haiti may contact commission co-chairs Anne Kimzey (hanahanford@yahoo.com), or Dave Drachlis (dave@stthomas-hsv.org).