Todd Meert

I have taken two sports ministry based mission trips to South Africa and started the Sports Ministry

Fundamentals for Christ. I’m also an instructor at Kalamazoo Valley Community College in the

Wind Energy Center. God has called me to serve in Haiti now, and I am excited to see where he

chooses to lead me. Home Church: First Congregational Church, Otsego

Jason Parsons

Ever since my first trip in 1999, Haiti has held a very special place in my heart. I have had many

awesome experiences, developed relationships, and seen God’s hand at work. As long as He

continues to call me to server the Haitian people, I will count myself blessed to serve there.

Home Church: Holy Cross Lutheran Church

Allison Wimpee

I am going on this mission trip because I want to be able to experience what it is like to be able to

help people in another country. I hope this experience will help me grow into the person I want to be.

I am really looking forward to meeting the people that live in Haiti and talking to them and seeing

their lifestyle. Home Church: Holy Cross Lutheran Church

Mike Reilly

I have been to Haiti several times before. Each time two things stood out - the challenges of living

there and the unbelievably positive attitude of the people. It is that combination that inspires me to go

on the mission trip and also is what I am looking forward to.

Home Church: Holy Cross Lutheran Church

Haiti Mission Team Roster Holy Cross Lutheran Church - February 2012

Team Itinerary

Sunday, February 19th

Morning: Commissioning at both

Sunday services at Holy Cross

Evening: Gather at Holy Cross and

depart for Detroit

Monday, February 20th Morning: Depart Detroit for Miami,

then off to Port-au-Prince

Evening: Arrive in Port-au-Prince and drive to Les Cayes

Tuesday, February 21st thru Saturday, February 25th Morning: Work construction on site at the Children of Israel Orphanage

Afternoons: Spend time with the orphans, touring Les Cayes, traveling to Isle-le-Vache, and visiting the First Lutheran School in

Les Cayes

Sunday, February 26th, Morning: Worship with the First Lutheran Church of Les Cayes

Afternoon: Spend time packing and saying goodbye

Monday, February 27th, Morning: Fly from Les Cayes to Port-au-Prince, then to Detroit via Miami

Evening: Arrive at Jenison – home!

Holy Cross members will give a presentation of their trip

during the Education Hour on Sunday, March 4th.

Meet the Team

Travis Budzyn

I prayed to God for an opportunity to be blessed emotionally and spiritually by being part of a

mission trip. Oh yes, the power of prayer WORKS! I look forward to spreading the word of God and

helping to build a better tomorrow for the people of Haiti. Home Church: Trinity Lutheran/Holy

Cross Lutheran Church

Mary Ann Church

I am going on this trip, Mission 2012, because I want to go back to Haiti again. I could not stop

thinking about this mission field. The team gathered to go, and I felt I was being called to go. Once

you have been, Haiti never leaves your heart. I hope to see my friend Medgina again; to spend time in

worship with her and tell her how proud I am of her. I look forward to the documentation of the

children for the Shine the Light program, meeting the teachers and building a stronger program here

at Holy Cross for the children and school in Les Cayes. Our support is so desperately needed. I look

ahead with great anticipation as to what God will take us to and bring us through.

Home Church: Holy Cross Lutheran Church

Emily Davis

I’m so used to my own culture that I believe this experience will be humbling for me. I’m excited to

have God guide my hand in helping others less fortunate that I. This experience will drive me to

realize that helping others is more important than anything else in the world. I look forward to

bonding with my teammates through this life changing mission trip. I believe through this trip I’ll

become even closer to God, and I’ll get a better understanding where He wants me to be.

Home Church: Holy Cross Lutheran Church

Cindy Davis

I have a tremendous amount of respect for Nora Leon - Missionary, Pat Myers - Owner of Bless The

Orphans and the other members of Holy Cross that have dedicated themselves to the extreme needs in

Haiti. A few months ago Pat Meyers asked me if I thought about going to Haiti and I said, "someday,

but I'm enjoying helping in other ways". Within a few weeks, Nora asked me if I'd thought about

coming to Haiti and I think I told her just about the same thing. I talked Emily into going to the

Informational Meeting "just" to get information. The evening following the Informational Meeting I

was hanging up the boys' pictures from Grace Orphanage at Pat's Bless The Orphans store. As I

looked into the eyes of each photo I hung up, the tug at my heart was too intense, I knew I had to go.

I'm excited about experiencing this trip with my daughter Emily as I know our lives will be changed

in ways we don't even know how yet. I'm apprehensive, because I know I will see, smell and taste

things I don't want to. I do think that this trip will bring depth to my passion for Haiti by experiencing

it first hand. I look forward to spiritual growth, working side-by-side with the other team members,

and making a difference in the lives we will touch. Home Church: Holy Cross Lutheran Church

Jack Kelly

I am returning to Haiti to lead a team of excited volunteers to spread the Word of the Lord and by

witnessing by action at the Children of Israel Orphanage. Planned activities include spending time

with the orphans and lending a hand with the current building projects. Home Church: Holy Cross

Lutheran Church

Shannon Kennedy

Nora Leon had been my mom’s best friend since the first grade. My mom was always so proud of

Nora and the work that she was doing for the Haitian people. With the diagnosis of stage four brain

cancer, I heard my mom say more than once, ―I wish I would have…‖ gone to see Nora, volunteered

more, done more…the list was endless coming from a woman who already gave so much to so many.

The Lord tells us not to regret, but he also tells us to learn from those that have gone before us. I’ve

always wanted to go on a mission trip, to do more for our God, to live for our Lord without regret or

hesitation. Now, is the time. Home Church: Good Shepherd Lutheran Church, Lowell

Shirley Kelly

Long ago a picture of a little girl with sparkling eyes and a precocious smile was hanging in the

church narthex. Her innocence touched my heart, and her story touched my mind. Since that day, God

has laid the plight of the Haitian children upon my heart.

God has now allowed me the opportunity to serve the little ones in person. God has blessed me in so

many ways—I am so very grateful. Home Church: Holy Cross Lutheran Church

Why are you going on this mission trip?

What are you looking forward to?

Jerie Hadley

Having been to Haiti several times, there is always a tugging in my heart to see and play with the

beautiful children. I am looking forward to helping with the construction of their new home.

Home Church: Holy Cross Lutheran Church