Area residents will have the opportunity to learn about relief efforts in Haiti during a presentation in Houston by the organization, “Mission of Hope.”
Featured on the NBC Evening News in its “Making a Difference,” segment, the organization handed out more than 250,000 meals in the first week after the earthquake. By Jan. 23, the number hit one million. Its goal has been to empty its warehouse – and refill it quickly.
The group’s efforts will be highlighted Saturday, Feb. 13, at Faith Fellowship west of Houston. Marilyn Waterman, Mission of Hope’s U.S. administrator, will speak at 7 p.m. about the work done in the aftermath of the devastating quake.
Mission of Hope was formed more than 12 years ago in Haiti and sits on 76 acres on the outskirts of Port-Au-Prince. Its facilities included a school, orphanage, church and hospital.
“One of the reasons we targeted Mission of Hope to be the group that we support during this critical time in Haiti is that their facilities were not destroyed in the earthquake,” said Pastor Bill Villapiano. “Secondly, we were already involved in providing what this nation needs the most now, a church to encourage their faith, a staff to feed the hungry, a clinic for the injured, an orphanage for the homeless and a school to build a better future. Our role as a church is to help them do more of what they already know how to do.”
Faith Fellowship will host a banquet at 6 p.m. There is no charge for the meal, but a reservation is required by calling 417-967-4680 or e-mailing churchoffice@faithfellowship-mo.org.
An offering will be received to help build additional space for orphans at the Mission of Hope in Haiti.