YWAM Haiti

The economy is largely agricultural, but overpopulation, starvation, dryness, and soil erosion, together with systemic large scale commercial plunder by corrupt government rule, has made Haiti the poorest country in the Americas.

People
*The people are generally friendly. Very relationship oriented (close family ties)
*Children are starving for love and attention.
*Everyone is usually eager to help (Caution: Some people will expect payment for any help given).
*People can easily be offended, just as in any other nation, so be sensitive in your words and actions.
*People are hungry for God’s Word.
*People often have a limited understanding or no concept of sin.

Things to be aware of
*Drink purified water! A must, it’s easy to become dehydrated.
*Be careful when taking pictures. Please ask before you take a picture of someone.
*Spirit of greed. You don’t have to be rich to be materialistic. The people are often greedy, and have the mentality of, “If you’ve got two of something, you should give me one.”
*Beggar’s spirit. Be discerning about who you give money to. It is often best not to give money to anyone begging. A better way to help is to direct the person to a church or to make a gift of money, clothing etc. directly to a church for the pastor to distribute.
*You will be watched closely, since people are often very curious about why you are here.

VISION
YWAM in General
1 Evangelism
Announcing the gospel in different creative ways such as dramas, crusades and dances and also church planting.
2 Mercy Ministry
Being the hands and feet of making God known, meeting practical and physical needs of people across the globe.
3 Training and Discipleship
To better equip Christians to serve others.

YWAM Haiti
Youth With A Mission’s work in Haiti has three locations, Saint-Marc (since 1991), Gonaives (birthed in 1998) and Jacmel (since 2005).

YWAM Gonaives
To see children, youth and adults from cities and villages experience hope through faith in Christ.
To see people set free from the spiritual, moral, and social bondage of evil, leading to the fulfillment of God’s destiny.
To live as a positive member, sharing in the responsibility for the well being of all people in the city, and as a contributor to the world.

Our goal is to build up a training center for different categories of job skills in various areas, such as: 1) computer 2) electricity 3) plumbing 4) arts and handicrafts 5) health care 6) electronics 7) construction 8) mechanics 9) agriculture (environment, farming, breeding cattle) 10) business

VALUES
We believe to reflect the following values in all of our relationships, policies and structures:

1. Transformation – Everyone has the ability to learn and to change.
2. Diversity – People of different backgrounds and cultures can learn together for better understanding and mutual respect.
3. Development is a process, but it is not mechanical – A true development process is one that:
A) ensures all youth the right and opportunity to play active roles
B) promotes the full and equal participation of women
C) is inclusive of all people in their diversity
D) respects cultures and local realities, and affirms the Universal Declaration of Human Rights
E) builds sustainable social and economic life that meets everyone’s basicneeds
F) respects the environment
G) creates greater peace, justice, dignity, and equality for all human beings

“Do not repay anyone evil for evil…Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.” (Romans 12:17,21)

Misssion
The mission of Youth With A Mission-Gonaives is to participate actively in the development of people, and especially youth, to increase their abilities. Otherwise stated, the mission reads this way: Restore the city, heal the nation, and touch the world. (Isaiah 61:4-7)

For more information about YWAM Gonaives go to their website: www.ywamgonaives.org or e-mail for more information at: [email protected]