COMMUNITY
other pastors who came from Haiti to present a unified message to
help one another. The estimated attendance was 300 on first night
to 500 the final evening.
“We were in a village that was extremely poor,” Orgen Martinez
(no relation to the pastor) says. “It’s very hard to believe until you
actually see it in person. We went inside a sugar cane field where
workers are sent by the government because many are from Haiti.
One day passing out food, clothing and shoes, we were met by
another mission group from Texas. We all played soccer and other
games with the children.”
He continues, “Until you interact with people going through it,
it gives you a different perspective. Not to take away from their
struggles, but they take joy in the little things and are more grateful
in life for what is given them. It changes your mindset to be more
appreciative of what we have here.”
Orgen’s brother, Jaime Martinez, is the church photographer and
documented the trip. Richard Innocent accompanied his brother,
Bradley, on his first mission trip. Word was that his mom thanked
the pastor for allowing him on the trip because she was grateful for
her “new” son.
A surgeon is interested in attending the next trip to bring handson,
first-aid instruction. In the face of extreme poverty, there are
no conveniences like running water, other utilities and especially
medical or dental care. Locals bathe using rainwater gathered in
barrels.
“This mission trip was a success, but there is so much more work
to do, especially in our own backyard,” volunteer Nelly Velasquez
says. “I have seen the desperate need for the church of God to
burst out of their bubble and invest in the lives of others without
expecting anything in return. God is calling His people to humble
themselves … and love without boundaries.” E
The praise team, inspired by love and the Gospel, leads corporate
worship time at the “Outside Church.”
Len McCloyne Jr. prays for Amanda Flock during her water baptism and profession of faith in Christ.
24 Port St. Lucie Magazine