Ravine a’Lanse
1988 - 2008
Some of you may not know that the year 2008 is the 20th anniversary of St. Paul’s support for, and involvement with, the community at Ravine a l’Anse, Haiti. The Haiti Committee has been truly blessed for the past twenty years in having a loyal and dedicated group of committee members who have devoted a great deal of time and effort.
We want to especially acknowledge the efforts of two gentlemen who are retiring from leadership positions on the board.
Larry Staples has been the Treasurer of the Haiti committee for 17 years. Money from the Staples family, especially Larry’s brother, Bob Staples, provided the main source of funds used to build the school at Ravine a l’Anse. Larry has steered us ably through many complications in managing the funds, always with careful stewardship, and a view towards minimizing administrative expenses. A treasurer’s job is very time-consuming and somewhat thankless; but Larry has been a source of strength and dedication throughout his years on the committee. Larry, we will miss you.
Dr. Herb Davis has been President of the Haiti committee for the past several years; he and his wife Nettie, now deceased, have led the trips to Haiti since the year this project was founded. Herb has forged many friendships with our Haitian partners, he has worked tirelessly to improve the health and welfare of the Haitian students and community, and some of us can testify that although he is not a spring chicken anymore, he has the endurance of a bull. Herb and Nettie sponsored the rebuilding of the church at Ravine a’Lanse that is a source of community pride. Thankfully, Herb will stay on with the committee although he has resigned as President. Many thanks to both of these dedicated gentlemen.En Paie
St. Paul’s Haiti Committee, St. Paul’s Episcopal Church, Kansas City, Missouri, (816) 679-6029
February 8-15, 2008
The Good, the Bad, and the Ugly
Our recent mission trip to our sister school in Ravine a’Lanse was a success.
As for the rest of the story, the good was our visit to our sister school, Holy Cross School, away in the mountains, where we witnessed two weddings and then hosted a community get together. Then we doctored the students for the next two days before having to come back. We were graced with the Haitian hospitality.
It got bad when we had to split up from the beginning and meet up in Port au Prince the next day. Then, not all of us were booked on the flight to Les Cayes. And, we had a passport stolen. And, we waited because of mechanical failure. And, we had to spend the night in Chicago, before, finally getting back to Kansas City.
The ugly part was the poverty in Haiti and the reality it creates.
En Paie
St. Paul’s Haiti Committee
St. Paul’s Episcopal Church, Kansas City, Missouri
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