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July - December, 2005
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the Minute: January - June, 2005
Up to the Minute: July -
December, 2004
April 6, 2004
Food in Haiti has been in short supply
ever since the recent uprising began. Because of looting at the ports
in Haiti, ships have been afraid to dock. It is getting quieter now and
the ships are returning with supplies. MFI has flown tons of food to
Cap Haitien, but there is still a great need among the schools and
orphanages that MFI assists. For the past few weeks MFI has been
accepting funds and supplies to fill a shipping container with food.
The container will be taken to the main port in Fort Lauderdale at the end of
this week, to begin the journey by ship to Cap Haitien. Missionaries will
meet the container and distribute the food to the needy. Nearly $8,000
has come in to help pay for the food and the shipping cost of the
container. MFI wants to thank everyone that had a part in this
vital project. Let's fill another one! Click on our "On
Line" giving site to make your donation toward the next container
full of food.
The images below tell more about the
container of food for Haiti. Click on any of the thumbnail photos
to see them full-size.
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MFI volunteers and staff help load food items that will soon go to Haiti.
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From pasta to peanut butter, as well as many other staples, there is a tremendous need for food in Haiti.
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The loaded shipping container is ready to go to Fort Lauderdale's main port. There it will be transferred to a ship departing for Haiti on April 12.
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Many volunteers helped with the loading and unloading of the food container. We are so thankful for all their help!
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NEW FEATURE! You can now donate to MFI
and any of our projects or staff members "On
Line." You will receive a tax deductible receipt for each donation.
This is a great way to be a vital part of the MFI "air arm to missions"
in the West Indies.
[
Top ]
April 1, 2004
Haiti is another week closer to becoming
settled. Some of the outside officials that left the country a few
weeks ago are still making noise, but the new government seems to be
trying to get the gears of progress up and running. Even though customs
and immigration are not operating at the Cap Haitien airport, there is
progress being made. MFI can now purchase both jet fuel and avgas in
Cap Haitien. We flew to Port-au-Prince and Cap Haitien twice this
week. On Tuesday our DC-3 also made a side trip to the Dominican
Republic in support of the 100 missionary families we serve there. On
both of our Haiti flights this week we returned missionary families to
the field that were anxious to get back to their work. We also flew a
work team out of Haiti that had been in the country for 10 days. The
team reported that the Haitian community was very excited to see the
work team arrive. The Haitians realized that missions had not given up
on Haiti or abandoned their people during this stressful time.
Thank you for your prayers and financial support. Your monthly pledge
to MFI during this time would be a great encouragement.
[ Top ]
March 25, 2004
On Friday evening, March 19, Missionary Flights International hosted
a banquet at the Palm Beach Airport Hilton near the Palm Beach
International Airport in West Palm Beach. This was our twelfth
annual banquet. The speaker for the evening was Dr. Thomas
Courtney, a retired medical doctor and pilot who worked in Africa for 20
years. The "First Four" quartet from Orlando provided music for
the 400 guests that were present. After our delicious dinner,
founder Don Beldin led our guests in some rousing traditional choruses.
Our annual banquet is a wonderful time to share how the Lord has blessed
MFI during the past year and inform our supporters concerning our future
plans. Our current fund raising project is a new hangar to be
constructed at the Palm Beach International Airport. Click on our
"The Vision" icon to learn more about the new
building and how you can become involved.
The MFI banquet was a pleasant diversion from the recent Haiti problems.
Our staff and flight crews have been dealing with the constant pressure
of changes the past few weeks as we have worked hard to meet the demands
of missions in Haiti. Even though Haiti is getting quieter, there
are still some problems. Our Tuesday flight went well, but our
Thursday flight had to remain overnight in Haiti. Due to the fact
that we can only
clear passengers in and out of Port-au-Prince, the plane must cross the
country twice before returning to Palm Beach. We fly from PAP to
CAP, then back to PAP to clear out. Thursday the weather was bad
in Haiti, and with delays due to weather and the extra flying required,
we had to overnight in the country. Praise the Lord that the
passengers and flight crew all had a safe place to stay.
Thank you for checking in this week. Please pray for wisdom
concerning our flights to Haiti. Also pray for our new hangar.
So far the Lord has provided $170,000 of the $1 million required.
We appreciate your prayers, and any giving will be greatly appreciated.
[ Top ]
March 18, 2004
Haiti is still somewhat unsettled this week, but things
seem to be getting quieter. The northern city of Port-au-Paix has been
having problems with gangs running the streets, looting and causing
general havoc. The Haitian liberation force arrived in Port-au-Paix
this week and stopped the nonsense.
MFI flew to Haiti on Tuesday. The
Cap Haitien airport is not open to international traffic, so we landed
in Port-au-Prince to enter the country, and then flew to Cap with a
large work team. An excited group of missionaries was anxiously
awaiting the arrival of the MFI plane when it landed in Cap Haitien.
There is no control tower operating in CAP, so the pilots must do their
own controlling. We simply talk to other aircraft approaching the
airport and work out our landing sequence. Thursday we returned to
Port-au-Prince and Cap Haitien using the same route we flew on Tuesday.
The Haitien authorities are being very cooperative in allowing MFI to
fly the routes we need to fly so we can keep the mission community
supplied. Several missionaries are beginning to return to Haiti and
work teams are calling MFI to reschedule trips. We appreciate your
desire to keep up with MFI during this trying time. Send us a note at
our e-mail address. We
would enjoy hearing from you!
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March 12, 2004
Even though Haiti is still not settled
from their civil strife, we are happy to report that MFI was able to fly
to Port-au-Prince this week. On Tuesday we landed in Port where 7
passengers deplaned. Two of the passengers stayed in PAP and five
transferred to a small "in-country" airline and traveled on to Cap
Haitien. The Cap Haitien airport is still not open to international
traffic, so MFI can not fly directly to CAP from West Palm Beach.
After our plane landed in Port-au-Prince last Tuesday, we continued on
to Barahona, Dominican Republic, transporting a work team of 10 men who
are building a clinic there.
Next Tuesday, March 16, MFI is planning to land in Cap Haitien with mail,
cargo and a large work team. The local business community in Cap
Haitien is working hard to get the airport open in time for our arrival.
You will recall that the airport in Cap Haitien was nearly destroyed by
looters two weeks ago. Buildings are being repaired and offices are
being restored. Pray with us that the work will be complete for our
Tuesday flight.
URGENT NEED! MFI turned in our application for the land lease at the
airport today. The approval of the lease will signal the beginning of
the construction of our new home. Please click on
"THE VISION" link for
more information. Now, the fund raising must begin in earnest. We must
raise $1,000,000 in the next few weeks. MFI needs your help to complete
this important project. Your check or "On
Line" donation will be greatly appreciated. Thank you!
[ Top ]
March 4, 2004
This has been a challenging week for MFI.
Normally we fly to Haiti every Tuesday and Thursday, but because of the
problems there, our flight schedule for this week was "thrown out the
window". As you know, many missionaries have left the field due to the
unrest. Our warehouse staff spent Monday and Tuesday sorting
through the tons of cargo and mail trying to determine what should go
and what should stay. We must not send the mission cargo and mail
to the field if the missionaries are not there, or if those who remain
are unable to meet the plane. After two days of sorting we finally had
two DC-3 loads of cargo ready to fly. The plane flying to the
Dominican Republic and Port-au-Prince completed its trip on Wednesday,
March 3, but the Cap Haitien airplane was denied landing permission. Finally,
on Thursday, we obtained the necessary clearance to fly to Cap Haitien.
Even though the CAP airport is officially closed and there is no
operating control tower, MFI was allowed to land there on Friday
and deliver the missionary supplies. The images below tell some of
what's happened recently in Haiti, as well as the Lord's provision for
allowing MFI to deliver critically needed supplies. Click on any
of the thumbnail photos to see them full-size.
Haiti still struggles. The US and other countries have sent military
troops to control the country. The conditions in Haiti remind us of 10
years ago when the US invaded. Haiti needs the prayers and the help of
the mission community as they rebuild their country.
EXCITING NEWS! You can now donate to MFI
"On
Line." Please click on the link and try it out. You will
receive a tax deductible receipt for each donation. This is a
great way to be a vital part of the MFI "air arm to missions" in the
West Indies.
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Many bags of donated rice await the journey to Cap Haitien, where food shortages have resulted from the recent turmoil.
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There were no missionary passengers going to Haiti, only critically needed food and supplies for those still in the field.
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In Port-au-Prince, MFI's aircraft is refueled near French peacekeeping forces stationed on one side of the airport. US Marines guard the other side.
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French soldiers stop by to visit with MFI's pilots, taking a closer look at a DC-3 that was originally placed into service in 1944.
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Food and supplies are unloaded at Cap Haitien airport.
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With over 6,000 pounds of cargo to unload, several trucks are needed, and many hands make light work.
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Though the runway was clear for landing, these are the remains of the customs office. Looting took place after the rebel takeover of Cap Haitien.
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Reconstruction of the civil aviation office is under way. MFI filed its flight plans there before each return flight to the US.
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An aerial photo taken on February 3 shows Cap Haitien airport the way it was before Haiti's turmoil.
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Friday's scene shows the airport devastation. Not only were the main buildings looted, but 4 of 6 airline buildings across the street were destroyed.
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[ Top ]
February 26, 2004
On Sunday, February 22, the rebels that have been
active in Haiti took over the city of Cap Haitien, including the airport
where MFI lands twice weekly. There was intense fighting at the
airport, including the commandeering of an airliner. 24 hours later,
the airport was in shambles. The airport looks like it was struck by a
hurricane. Debris is everywhere and most of the buildings were looted
and destroyed. The Cap Haitien airport is not open to traffic at this
time. On Wednesday, February 25, MFI flew two of our DC-3's to Haiti to
rescue missionaries. One of the planes flew to a grass strip in
Pignon to pick up 20 missionaries that had traveled over land for four
hours from Cap Haitien to meet our flight. At 4 PM on Wednesday
the Cap Haitien missionaries were all safe in West Palm Beach. The
other plane landed in Port-au-Prince and picked up 20 more missionaries,
safely delivering them to West Palm Beach.
On Thursday the 26th, we returned to Haiti to bring out 24 more missionaries.
Because of some serious reports that the rebels may soon take over the
Port-au-Prince area, MFI has chosen not to fly on Friday. After the upcoming
weekend we will reassess the situation and make further flight
determinations on Monday, March 1. We thank all of you who
continue to faithfully offer your prayers and support as we serve the
missionary community in Haiti during this difficult time. The
following images tell some of the story of what's happened recently at
Cap Haitien's airport, as well as the Lord's hand in reuniting one of
the missionary families we serve.
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On February 3rd, MFI sent 2 flights to Cap Haitien airport. The terminal buildings are in the distance, between the 2 aircraft.
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On Tuesday, February 24th, a missionary serving in Cap Haitien took this photo of the airport terminal. The destruction and looting was severe.
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What was only recently a working airport terminal in Cap Haitien, Haiti's second largest city, is now reduced to rubble.
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A mom & her children are escorted by an MFI staff member. They left Port-au-Prince after being unable to return to their missions home in Cap Haitien.
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A mother and father, having returned from the mission field only 3 weeks earlier, await the arrival of their daughter.
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Did she really make it out on this flight?
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Yes! The Lord's guiding hand brings a family back together. Praise God!
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[ Top ]
February 20, 2004
Haiti continues to be in political
turmoil. With the exception of one delayed flight, MFI has continued to
operate our regular Tuesday/Thursday schedule. The airports seem quiet
and orderly in Haiti. Yesterday one group of missionaries could not get
to the airport in Cap Haitien to meet our DC-3 because of rain and bad
weather in the center of the country, in the village of Pignon. MFI tried to reach their small
grass strip airport to pick them up, but the weather was too bad.
The missionaries could not travel on the roads due to flooded streams
and road blocks put up by the opposition forces. The stranded team is
in no danger and they will wait until the weather is better, then fly
out to Port-au-Prince and travel on American Airlines back to the U.S.
Cargo and mail flowing into Haiti has
slowed dramatically. The work teams have all cancelled and the cargo
flow is down to a trickle because the missionaries are coming home.
The MFI flights returning to the U.S.
have been heavily loaded with missionary families returning home. They
are all taking a "wait and see" attitude concerning Haiti.
We are grateful that many of our concerned supporters are sending funds
to MFI so we can buy beans and rice for the Haitian schools and
orphanages. The relief trucks have not been allowed into the northern
cities and food is in short supply. The missions that still have
personnel in the country will meet our flights and deliver the supplies
to the needy people in Haiti.
Please pray for the mission community and for MFI as we go through this
trying time. Pray we will be able to sustain our ministry to missions
even though our flights are often going out very light. Pray that Haiti
will not have a full blown civil war and there will be a peaceful
solution to the current crisis. If you want to help MFI in any way
financially, please send a check made out to MFI. You may mark the
check for "Food Project" or "Use where needed". Our address is: MFI,
P.O. Box 15665, West Palm Beach, FL 33416. Phone (561) 686-2488.
Thank you for your prayers and support. May the Lord bless your desire
to help those in desperate need.
[ Top ]
February 12, 2004
What a difference a month makes. In January, work teams were
filling our planes to the maximum as they traveled to Haiti to help the
mission community build churches and clinics. Now, just one month
later, many of the February teams have cancelled because of the troubles
in Haiti. For most of its political life, Haiti has been in
turmoil. Over the past 200 years there have been 30 coups in
Haiti. Now, after 10 years of relative peace, there appears to be
another coup attempt in the making. This time it is the common
citizens of Haiti that are dissatisfied with their government leaders.
Even the United States has refused to give the Haitian government any
financial aid the past two years. Inflation has skyrocketed in the
country. Customs duty and taxes have increased dramatically for
missions and NGO groups that work to help the poor and sick people of
Haiti. Today, MFI has two DC-3's in the air sending critical
supplies down to help the missions serving there. Every mission
will be required to pay heavy customs duty on everything we fly in
today. Our two DC-3 aircraft will pay over $1500 US to Haiti for
landing fees, route charges and departure taxes. That amount does
not count the fuel taxes and other airport fees like baggage handlers,
etc. Haiti is desperate for money to survive and MFI and the
missions we serve are being hit hard financially.
Every missionary I talk to says that this unrest is different.
The general population is suffering greatly and they are desperate to
survive and to change their country. Another major difference is
weapons. In the past the peasant people had no weapons, but now
they do. Both the Haitian government and the general population
have weapons. So far 49 have died during on-going street fighting.
We all need to pray for peace in Haiti.
Now, more than ever, MFI and the missions we serve need your prayers
and your financial support. Your gifts are greatly appreciated.
Thank you for being faithful to the Lord and to MFI as we serve missions
together in Haiti!
[ Top ]
January 2004
The cold weather up north this month has driven many volunteer
work teams to Haiti. MFI is extremely busy keeping up with the heavy
demand of transporting the teams and their supplies. A typical flight consists
of transporting 24 passengers and their baggage; then we add a second flight to
handle their supplies, as well as the normal flow of mail and cargo for our
permanent missionary families. Everyone arrives at the Palm Beach International
Airport at 6 AM on Tuesday and Thursday mornings to begin the exciting journey
to the mission field. By 7 AM the flight crews are beginning their checklist
and within a few minutes the engines are warming up for the flight to Haiti.
Excitement builds as the MFI DC-3's take to the sky for the 4 hour flight to
Haiti or the Dominican Republic. I often think about all of the planning that
has gone into the trip we are just beginning. The teams have planned for their
mission trip for several months, the mechanics have poured over
the aircraft, the pilots have preflighted the plane as well as themselves, and
now it is time to begin the journey. The throttles move forward and the take
off begins. The staff at MFI enjoys the blessing of helping people serve the
Lord through missions.
Please pray for Haiti. The political situation is not stable at this time.
Recently, just after takeoff, Miami center advised our flight crews that the
airspace in Haiti was closed due to a strike by air traffic controllers. As the
aircraft continued to their destination, we made several calls to Haiti trying
to work out a solution. Soon, Haiti agreed to open their air space and allow MFI
to land and deliver our work team and missionary cargo. We are grateful that
the Lord provided wisdom and grace to MFI, allowing us to complete our mission
flight to Haiti. Pray for safety for the mission community in Haiti as they
serve the Lord in that desperate country. Your giving and prayers are vital to the ongoing
ministry to Missionary Flights International - thank you!
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