Luther's Catechisms arrive in Haiti

Luther's Catechisms arrive in Haiti

While learning a language is an intuitive process for children, reading and writing has to be taught. Without a suitable school environment most of us would never have learned how to read and write, therefore we wouldn't be able to read God's Word in the Bible! How sad. In Haiti schools have few books, little paper and a shortage of pencils. Learning is more difficult without the proper tools.

Raphael is the Regional Director of Education for much of Northern Haiti. He is also a Christian. He knows the value of learning to read and is particularly concerned that the 23,000 school children in his district learn how to read the Bible. Through our native Haitian missionary, Rona, Raphael has asked Multi-Language Publications in El Paso to supply 23,000 Luther's Catechisms translated into Creole for his voluntary after school programs throughout his district. What an opportunity to share God's Word in a place that's difficult for us to access! In Haiti we have trouble with transportation, with importing humanitarian items and with few of us speaking Creole, we have trouble communicating the message of the Gospel in their native tongue.

Those that import by shipping container or boat experience issues at the docks when Customs Officials and workers demand exorbitant fees. This has the effect of limiting the ability of everyone to import things into Haiti. However, in the Northern part of the Island, at a place called Cap Haitien, Customs allows the importation of 8 bags of whatever size free of importation charges as long as they arrive by air. And we recently found that this rule is normally followed.

(Missionary Terry, Regional Director of Education Raphael, Missionary Rona and pilot John.)

(Director of Christian Education Chris Dale from Christ Lutheran Church (ELS) in Port Saint Lucie with a load of Catechisms and clothing)

In two trips by air, WELS World Missions just finished delivering the first 3,000 copies of Luther's Catechisms to Cap Haitien. These Catechisms were placed directly into the hands of Raphael and Rona. Missionary Terry Schultz and Pilot John Kramer did the flying. These Catechisms are intended for the three orphanages that WELS members support in the southern part of the Island and marks the first delivery of the 23,000 Catechisms that Raphael has requested for his school kids. What a blessing to be helping grow God's kingdom by putting Luther's Catechisms right in the hands of Haitian children!

(Baggage handlers that unloaded the aircraft in Haiti.)

"Alas para Los Niños" or "Wings for Children" translated into English, is a non profit that is

organized for the purpose of moving these Catechisms and other humanitarian items to Haiti for the furthering of God's kingdom. We have an aircraft, a pilot, and motivated helpers that receive shipments in Port Saint Lucie, Florida and store them in anticipation of an upcoming flight. We made the first two flights in September before Hurricane Matthew ravaged the Island and anticipate more flights in the January/February timeframe. Each shipment of 1,500 books weights 645 pounds, fits in 8 duffle bags that just fit in the aircraft and also pass through customs without additional fees. It is also about the most books that will fit in Missionary Rona's car.

We add about 150 pounds of clothing with each trip and these all fit around the books in the duffle bags. It all works wonderfully! Total cost for printing, shipping and flying is less than $5.00 per book to an island 750 miles off the coast.

There are ways you can help in this process. If this is a project that motivates and interests you please contact pilot John and together explore how you can help put God's Word in the hands of Haitian school children. Contact email address: jcubkramer@comcast.net.

Bendiciones, John Kramer