A team from several churches in the Diocese of Alabama is spending a week in Haiti providing medical care to people unable to afford the cost of healthcare. The seven-member medical mission team arrived in Port au Prince Saturday afternoon, Feb. 2 and will return home Feb. 9.

While there team members will conduct mobile medical clinics in Croix des Bouquets, a suburb of Port au Prince and in the outlying villages of Gorman, Thoman and Fond Parisian. 

 The medical mission is the first since the Diocese of Alabama established a companion relationship with the Episcopal Diocese of Haiti.  A construction team from Alabama spent a week in Haiti in October constructing bench desks for two Episcopal schools.

 Medical team members carried with them approximately 500 pounds of vitamins and medical supplies.  Additional medications and supplies will be purchased in Haiti.  Financial support for the mission has come from the generosity of churches and individuals throughout the diocese. 

 Team members are: the Rev. Dr. Foster Eich and his wife Ginger with St. Bartholomew's Church in Florence; the Rev. Deacon Gerri Aston, St. Andrews Church in Birmingham; Charlotte (C.J) Ross, St. Francis of Assisi in Indian Springs; Camille Cornett, Grace Church, Mt. Meigs; and Cindy Atkins, and Sharon Drachlis, St. Thomas Church in Huntsville.

"The Episcopal Church in Haiti is working to make a difference in this the poorest country in the Western Hemisphere where Eighty percent of the population is unemployed, and we are pleased to be partnering with them in the love and service of our Lord," said the Rev. Deacon Dave Drachlis, co-chairman of Alabama’s Companion Diocese Commission. 

Haiti's Bishop, the Rt. Rev. Zache Duracin has asked Alabama to focus its companion 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).