Aspinwall Church of God Mountain Assembly, with the support of other Mountain Assembly churches, again provided Christmas in October. This year it was for families in Haiti. Mountain Assembly has 30 churches and 2 children’s homes in Haiti. Since 1975, Aspinwall Church has sent help to Liberia, India, Dominican Republic, Jamaica, Honduras, and Zimbabwe. On October 29, 2009 the 3,000 cubic feet container began the 2000-mile journey from Collinwood to the people of Haiti.  

Haiti shares 1/3 of an island with the Dominican Republic. In the 1700s, it was one of the wealthiest colonies in the world. They exported gold, sugar, indigo, coffee, and tobacco until their resources were exhausted. Haiti now faces soil erosion, an overwhelmed education system, a struggling economy, and extreme poverty. 

This year 223 barrels carrying four tons of rice and beans, a Gospel tent with chairs, a new refrigerator for the children’s home in Duval Roche, over-the-counter medicine, toys, seeds, walkers and other things were in the 40' by 9-½' high container. Traditionally, the congregation begins to prepare for the shipment in the spring of the year. In the fall, caring members of the church selflessly load the container. The church then prays for the safety and security of the container as it travels on land and sea. Sometimes there is videotape or snapshots available to show the people in the selected country just what they are receiving. All articles are donated by the members and friends of the Mountain Assembly church, which receives no governmental funding. The shipment arrived safely in Haiti in November. For further information or questions contact Pastor James Walden at (216) 268-0879.