Co-hosted by Desert Foothills Community Education and PPC, an exhibition of photographs taken during the January 2012 medical mission trip to Haiti will be on display at the FACE Gallery, located in the lobby of the Cactus Shadows Fine Arts Center, from August 13 through September 24. Open to the public as well as school groups, you can stop in any time to view the display Monday-Friday, 9 a.m.-4 p.m., or evenings when there are programs in the Fine Arts Center. The Fine Arts Center is located at 33606 N. 60th Street, Scottsdale. If you are in town, please stop by!

For additional information on the "From Here to Haiti" exhibition, contact special projects coordinator Elaine Adrian, Desert Foothills Community Education, at 480.575.2071 or eadrian@ccusd93.org. For additional information on the Haiti Initiative or the exhibit, contact Jan Loichle at 480.575.9125 or jloichle@me.com.

A mission team led by Pinnacle Presbyterian Church visited Pastor Luc and Harmony Ministries in Haiti during January. Pinnacle folks were joined by people from Maryland and Texas, doing medical clinics in Thoman and Leogane.

About 300 people were seen in each location, and each person who came received vitamins, meds if called for, toothbrush and toothpaste, and bar soap. The medical people also taught women's health and hygiene classes in Port-au-Prince which were very well received. About 200 women attended, were very engaged, and had many questions for the medical people. The pharmacy in Port-au-Prince was restocked with hundreds of pounds of donated medical supplies carried by the team.

Architect Steve Loken, who has been working with Pastor Luc's Haitian engineer on the construction of the new church, met with the engineer and reviewed progress on the building. It's amazing to see. The foundation is complete, concrete slab poured, columns built, and walls rising. It looks good, and work continues at a steady pace. It was very inspiring to the team.

The school in Thoman and the temporary school facilities in Leogane and Port-au-Prince are very basic and supplies are desperately needed (textbooks cost $4; a case of small composition books costs $40 for 200). Because the Port-au-Prince clinic was destroyed in the earthquake, it is located in one small room and the pharmacy is in Pastor Luc's office.

Yet despite the difficult conditions, the people are grateful and joyful and Pastor Luc tirelessly carries on the Lord's work. Over 1,600 people were in church for a glorious service filled with wonderful singing and praise. Their strength of spirit is truly inspirational.

There is much work to be done in Haiti, but there are some signs of progress.

The airport was rebuilt and is much improved, and many buildings have been rebuilt or repaired. There was less rubble than we expected to see, and communications are good — there are cell phones and cell towers everywhere. Big infrastructure challenges remain — water, sewer, roads, housing, trash removal, air quality, etc.

But in the midst of it all, Harmony Ministries remains a beacon of hope. By supporting the schools, church programs and church rebuilding, we enable Pastor Luc and his teachers and leaders to lead people in faith development, provide education, teach life skills, create a sense of community, and provide jobs. We are moved by their stories, perseverance, music and faith.

Haiti team members pack for the 2012 mission trip.

Trip participants and friends packed up all the medical supplies and had their final briefing for the mission trip to Haiti on Jan. 17-23. Thank you for all the donated medicines, toothbrushes, and supplies. What a blessing for Pastor Luc's people!

Watch for updates on the team's visit, and stories and pictures when they return.

Once again PPC volunteers have the opportunity to travel to Haiti and serve those in need through Pastor Luc and Harmony Ministries. Last year’s collection of supplies were gratefully received by Pastor Luc and used in his clinic even though the PPC team was unable to travel during that turbulent time. Once again, we are asking for supply donations for our January 2012 trip and are thankful for what each of you can provide.

Please note: Due to international laws we can take only medications that are new, unopened (sealed) and unexpired. Generic or store brands are welcome; large-size containers will be repackaged into individual doses after arrival in Haiti for distribution to people who come to the clinics. Following are needed items:

Collection boxes will be in the narthex and upper hallway beginning Sunday, Nov. 6. If you can supply other pharmaceuticals, please contact us. Thank You!

Please Note: All donations are most appreciated, but please do not bring opened or past-expiration containers of medicines. Such items cannot be taken to Haiti or donated to local agencies. Also, no shoes or clothing please!

For information, please contact Linda Jenkins (lrjenkins@aol.com or 480.515.1275) or Jan Loichle (by e-mail or 480.575.9125).

PPC is planning a mission trip to Haiti from Jan. 17-22, 2012.

Pastor Luc Deratus will meet the group in Port-au-Prince and lead the trip in Haiti. The mission will include one-day medical clinics in the mountain village of Thoman and in Leogane, potentially another clinic (location to be determined), and carpentry and building activities. Both medical and non-medical participants are welcome.

Trip participants pay their own travel to/from Haiti and lodging expenses. Pastor Luc arranges local transportation, security and some meals.

For more information or to indicate your interest in going on this trip, please contact Jan Loichle by e-mail or 480-575-9125.