Planning is underway for the second construction mission of Alabama’s Companion Diocese Relationship with Haiti. The mission is scheduled for Oct. 11 – 18, 2008.

During the week, mission team members will work side by side with their Haitian brothers and sisters to construct a concrete and brick school yard at St. Simeon Church in Croix des Bouquets.  The dirt yard, which presently turns to mud after a rain, is used both by the children and a monthly nutrition program that provides protein supplements, immunizations and follow-up to malnourished children, and nutrition education to parents.

A few slots remain on the eight-member construction team.  Individuals interested joining this or a future mission team, should contact the Rev. Bill King at bp3king@bellsouth.net.

It is estimated that the cost of construction supplies for this mission - including approximately 1,000 bricks, 100 bags of concrete, two truckloads of gravel, six heavy-duty wheelbarrows and transportation - will be about $8,000.  Churches and their outreach committees desiring to help support the mission may send gifts earmarked for the construction mission to the attention of the Rev. Pat Wingo at Carpenter House. 

For more information on the Companion Diocese Relationship, visit the diocesan website at http://dioala.org/ministries/companion_diocese_haiti.html or contact Companion Diocese Commission Co-chairs Anne Kimzey (hanahanford@yahoo.com) or the Rev. Deacon Dave Drachlis (dave@stthomas-hsv.org).  Members of the commission are also available to speak to church groups about the companion relationship.