Harbour Church mission team raises $5,000 for El Salvador 2018

A team of 14 men and women, affiliated with the Harbour Community Church in Kincardine, has raised $5,065 toward a mission trip to El Salvador early next year.

The fund-raiser, held Saturday, Oct. 28, at the church, included silent auction items and a live auction, with auctioneers Daniel Kelley and Tara Byle.

The members of the mission team include Phil and Norma Mohr, John and Chris Moes, Joel Van Geest, Don Brown, Daniel Kelley, Bill Binnendyk, Hugh Girvin, Tom and Rita VanHardeveld, Gemma Moore, Linda Marak, and Frank Kordiaka.

The team will participate in construction and compassion/humanitarian service to the people of El Salvador which has endured 12 years of civil war, ending in 1992. While the war has long been over, there is still plenty of residual pain lingering from the conflict.

Poverty, lack of education, and violence in the home, are leading issues within El Salvador. Street gangs are a violent force most Salvadorians have to deal with on a daily basis.

The major project for the team will be building an extension on a kitchen at King's Castle Compound, the funds raised will be used for that build.

Also, while in El Salvador, the team will be distributing food bags to area families.

Some members of the mission team have been to El Salvador before, but a few have not but are looking forward to it.

Rita VanHardeveld said her grandchildren are all in school so she has the time to go on a mission trip. "I'm sure it will be a life-changing experience, a real eye-opener."

Marak said she has always wanted to go on a mission trip. Her husband, Ed, went a few years ago so she has an idea of what to expect. "it's my turn to go and I'm looking forward to helping these people."

Van Geest is the carpenter on the team and will be constructing cabinets for the kitchen. He went on a mission trip in high school, to Belize for two weeks, so he has an idea of what to expect. "it's going to be an incredible, life-changing experience."

Moore has been wanting to go on a mission trip ever since her husband went on one three-and-a-half years ago. "I want to experience that and help others. I'm prepared to be surprised by what happens."

The mission trip runs Feb. 11-22, 2018.