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"And he looked up, and saw the rich men casting their gifts into the treasury. And he saw also a certain poor widow casting in thither two mites. And he said, Of a truth I say unto you..."
WILBERT'S STORY
Wilbert, one of nine children, grew up in an impoverished area in rural Haiti. At the age of 12, he was given the opportunity to attend school through the generosity of a supporter in Florida. After finishing school, he was employed as a lab technician and then worked for Mission Aviation Fellowship in Cap-Haitien. Wilbert then studied and worked in the U.S., but feeling a great call to minister to those in need and to share his love of Christ and His people, he returned to Haiti in 1993 to found Living Hope Mission.
Despite all the challenges he has faced over the years, the passion to make a difference that God has put in his heart 20 years ago is still burning today.
I Corinthians 15:58 says “therefore, my beloved brethren, be ye steadfast, unmovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, forasmuch as ye know that your labor is not in vain in the Lord”.
CAP-HAITEN AREA
Living Hope Mission serves the Cap-Haitian area in northern Haiti. While the city itself is the second largest in Haiti, it is surrounded by mostly rural and mountainous areas, where most of Living Hope’s work is done. Living Hope is currently serving over 21 surrounding communities.
LHM APPROACH
Living Hope Mission’s approach is to work through existing church leadership to undergird its efforts. Local initiative and ownership of projects is our goal. We strive to increase sustainability and decrease dependency.
Some tangible ways we do this are:
- All paid staff at Living Hope Mission are local Haitian people.
- Supporting the work of local pastors through pastoral conferences, church construction, and financial assistance.
- Utilizing a collective support model in our education programs rather than an individual sponsorship model.
LHM HISTORY
In 1993, after attending college and living in the US for several years, Wilbert Merzilus felt called back to Haiti to establish a mission to minister to the needs of rural churches in Haiti. Thus, Living Hope Mission was born. Wilbert’s vision came from a deep sense of gratitude for God’s bringing him out of a difficult childhood in rural Haiti to a place of opportunity and blessing in the U.S. Since then the work has only grown and is overseen by an all-volunteer board of directors in conjunction with the Executive Director (Wilbert).
Since 1993, Living Hope has constructed 21 churches, 13 elementary schools, 1 high school, and over 25 wells — serving countless communities and individuals.
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