Haïti Port-au-Prince Mission

The following information was obtained by interviewing missionaries (a senior couple and elders) at the mission office 06Dec04.

All foreign elders were transferred to missions in Florida, Québec, Ontario, Virginia, D.C., Mississippi, Georgia, or South Carolina.
The president, his wife, and two senior couples remained in Haiti; the other couples were evacuated.
Around 60 Haitian missionaries continued their work.

There are around 15 foreign elders and no foreign sisters.
All foreign missionaries that have returned were among those who were evacuated in February 2004.
No foreign elders or sisters are being called to Haiti; foreign elders going home are being replaced by evacuees.
A senior couple arrived in October; the two couples that were not evacuated completed their missions.
Two more couples are expected in January.
All foreigners serve in Port-au-Prince (for easier evacuation, if required).

Approximately 180 members were relocated to St-Marc.
About 40 ten-man tents were set up on the grounds of the St-Marc Chapel.
LDS Welfare Services provided essential supplies.
Members used the water and washroom facilities in the church building.
Most stayed for six weeks, then returned to Gonaïves the first week of November (school was starting).

Missionaries are assigned to all wards and branches except Port-de-Paix.
All companionships carry a mobile phone.
All missionaries must return home at sunset (6PM).
What was once one apartment above the mission office is now two.
The mission also occupies the building directly across the street, which contains the Humanitarian Warehouse and an apartment.
A chapel in Martissant (at a different location than the one that was destroyed) is nearing completion.
Construction of a chapel in Jérémie has been approved.
Approval of a new chapel near Delmas 33 and Maïs Gâté is expected shortly.
Speculation is rampant that an additional ward will soon be formed in Delmas and that the Frères Ward will be divided.

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