July 5

Tour of Mapou Village, La Gonave, Haiti

Off of the west coast of mainland Haiti is a little island tucked inside the Gulf of Gonave. The island of La Gonave, Haiti is the home to Mapou Village, our own home away from home for eight days. Though only 15 miles away from where we arrived by boat, Mapou village is close to a 2 hour drive from the port city of Anse-a-galets.

la gonave haiti

Nestled in red clay mountains, most of the road is so rocky that we rarely can get out of second gear or go over 10 miles an hour, to keep the tires from popping or leaving part of the bumper embedded into the rocky ground. Only recently has the road been extended, rock by rock by the local villagers, to be able to accommodate trucks carrying missionary travelers to the village of Mapou.

la gonave haiti
A very mild stretch of the road!
la gonave haiti
Photo by Craig Lovely

In this mountainous, rocky village all their food is either grown through crops, fruit trees, or grains and animals at the local market. Each Wednesday, in the early morning hours, villagers from all over the island of La Gonave begin their trek by foot or by donkey to the “Marche”, the Market.

la gonave haiti
Photo by Craig Lovely

It is here they gather to barter for what they need. The coastal villages bring fish, conch and other finds from the sea, while the inlanders bring corn, watermelon, plantains, or whatever is in season at the time. Yet, there is much that they are still dependent on to come from the mainland, and it comes at a hefty price. When the winter months come, and the crops are gone there is very little to eat, and many go long periods of time without food.

la gonave haiti

There is no electricity in the villages. On the International Ministry of Hope “compound” where we stayed, we had a few hours of generated power in the evening so we could eat dinner and prepare for bed. Truly a luxury.

la gonave haiti

Our meals were prepared in a itty bitty hut, over home-made charcoal made from trees in the area.la gonave haiti

Though almost every modern “convenience” is missing from this village we find a group of friendly, giving people. Children play and laugh. Parents work hard to serve their families. The island and its people are full of the glory of God.
la gonave haiti
He is found in the ocean breeze which brings refreshment in the heat of the day. He is in the lush green landscape with the corn and plantains growing, bringing provision. He is there in the early morning hours, where the sun begins to warm the earth with its beautiful rays across the clear blue ocean.
la gonave haiti
And in the sunset over the local bakery, His glory is seen as the sleepy sun shines through the rustling trees.
la gonave haiti

Tags

haiti, Nations, The Nations


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  1. Makes me cry. Love re-living it with you through your blog!! Makes me think we need a slumber party in a tent in the backyard or something! Looking forward to more. 🙂

    1. Sounds like a load of fun! Although, since we had mattresses to sleep on in Haiti, a tent in your backyard sounds like roughing it!

  2. Katie,
    Applause for your posting of Plane Mapou as our church St.Philips Episcopal Charleston, SC have a 20 year history with our sister chruch St. Jean Baptist in Plane Mapou. I have been blessed with many trips up the mountain leading teams to worship with our sister church each June to celebrate Feast Day. We actually have 10 Churches on the island of La Gonave and constantly looing for new partners to join our efforts.
    God Bless you and heart for sharing Jesus! Gerry+

    1. Hi Gerry! Our trip was amazing, and we hope to go back! We do have another trip scheduled for the summer, just not sure yet if my husband or I will be able to go.

      There is only one church in the little village of Mapou, but I think there are a few “Mapou”s on La Gonave. This is an itty bitty village, and our friend Benis is living and working there with the people.

      I checked out your site, and it looks like God is using you mightily for His glory!

      Thanks for commenting!

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