A group of just 14 people mostly from the Warsaw-area had a wide-reaching effect on many Haitians.
The group was in Haiti from May 22-29 and in that time they treated more than 1,200 people with medical issues and handed out more than 1,000 bags of food that could feed a family of five for up to four days.
According to World Compassion Netowrk's Clark Shepherd who helped lead the team down to Haiti, the group went to several different sites.
Those sites included two orphanages.
"Many people prayed for food and for treatments for thier ailments," said Shepherd. "God used this team as His hands and feet to answer those prayers in Haiti."
Along with Shepherd, Drs. Anita and RT Kishan joined to provide medical care with emergency room nurses Carol Hartman and Amy Watts and physician's assistant Karen Drury.
But even those without extensive medical backgrounds did their part. Volunteer Rob Delp gave shots to those in need while Matt Goble, who traveled along with his wife Ann, gave oral medications to people.
Ann Goble helped with a pharmacy down in Haiti.
Joe Sechrist, an emergency medical tech in Mentone, as well as Nick Drury, Karen's husband, and Zach Martin from Angola also made the trip.
Sally Tahy, a Warsaw native now living in Ohio also was with the group.
The group joined Warsaw Community Church's Mo Grimm in the earthquake-ravaged country.
While the group was charged with providing care to Haitians in need, it was also there to create awareness.
The group did a Skype session with youth groups at WCC while at an orphanage in Haiti.
"Technology created a very cool way to make the world very small. We used facebook and Wkype to stay in touch with family and friends," said Shepherd. "Many people followed along with us in our daily activities in Haiti. The encouragement and love that was passed through the internet was amazing."
That awareness has also been aided by people like Neena Kishan.
While Neena's parents were in Haiti on the trip, she was finishing up another year as a teacher at Leesburg Elementary.
Kishan was a vital part in getting local kids to donate backpacks and fill them up with supplies to give to Haitian children.
"She's an inspiration to me with her ideas," said Shepherd.
WCN continues to provide supplies, food and relief to those in Haiti.
WCN is accepting donations specifically for relief in Haiti.
To donate or get more information, visit w-c-n.org or mail checks to P.O. Box 1152, Warsaw, IN 46581; by phone 574-267-5427 or 574-527-0103.
Checks should have Haiti in the memo line.
World Compassion Network's office is located inside Silveus Insurance at 1021 Mariner Drive, Warsaw, near North Pointe Cinemas.
