06/22/2026
To everything there is a season…Ecclesiastes 3
Greetings from the Board of Mission Haiti. It is with heavy but hopeful hearts that we announce the final months of our efforts as an organization in Haiti. In 1999, our dear sister Helen Roenfeldt began with the help of many, what would become a decades-long relationship with the people of Haiti. As she pulled so many of us into this relationship, we came to know deeply why Helen had such a love for Haiti and its people. I was privileged to work in Haiti with Helen on many trips, and was constantly awed by her organizational skills and seemingly unending work-ethic. More important was her love of the Lord and desire to share that love with others. In the 5 years since we lost Helen, Mission Haiti has endeavored to continue this work.
The situation in Haiti over these last years has made this increasingly difficult. The board and staff have been confronted with all of the challenges typical to a small organization that has lost such a rock as Helen was. Additionally, our inability to travel to Haiti has significantly exacerbated these challenges. There is no indication that the security situation in Haiti will improve in the foreseeable future. We have not been able to expose new people to the country. We have not been able to visit the beautiful people we seek to serve or our projects on the ground. Lophane, our Field-Director, has suffered the indignities of our Immigration system and is dealing with what has become a near permanent separation from his family. He is unable to return to the U.S. where he was instrumental in our outreach efforts. We are confronted with declining revenue and engagement. Anne and Donna, our Florida-based stalwarts are deserving of rest. Additionally, we are sensitive to the fact that as an organization, all of these factors hamper our ability to confidently provide accountability to our donors. At this time, we ask that you discontinue any new financial contributions to Mission Haiti.
While all of these factors seem to conspire against God’s people,we are ever hopeful. In 2011, Lophane was encouraged by Helen to begin his own mission efforts in Haiti and launched “Lophane Project.” Many of you will know this from the metal artwork that his artisans crafted over the years. This project reminds me of the many times Helen would stop our well-meaning conversations about how to “fix” Haiti. She was ever vigilant to avoid the stigma of the “white man’s burden” or hurting when one should be helping. Her admonition was always: “Only Haitians can ‘fix’ Haiti.” So, we encourage you to engage with Lophane Project. Seek out organizations that serve the people of Haiti with the people of Haiti. Find a way to continue your prayerful support of Haiti both in the country and among the diaspora of Haitians around the world who pray that Haiti Shall Not Perish.
Blessings and our deepest thanks,
David Vangsness, for the entire Mission Haiti team.
