NASHVILLE, Tenn. -- The off-season allows time for players to recharge their batteries, spend time with family, take a much needed vacation and give back to their communities. Tennessee Titans players, Pete Ittersagen and Tim Shaw plan to do just that by lending a hand to Haitians in need during a mission trip to Haiti February 19 – 28.
Ittersagen and Shaw will join Northwest Haiti Christian Mission (NWHCM), an independent, non-profit Christian church organization dedicated to helping to bring people in Northwest Haiti out of spiritual, physical and social poverty by demonstrating God's love. Ittersagen and Shaw collected six other volunteers who will join the mission trip that will include a variety of duties such as construction, community development, well drilling, preaching, teaching, relational evangelism and medical assistance.
Just over a year ago in January 2010, Haiti was hit by a 7.0 M catastrophic earthquake near the Haiti capital. Weeks later there were reported 52 aftershocks measuring 4.5 or greater that continued the devastation. Approximately three million people were affected by the earthquake as the Haitian government reported an estimated 316,000 people died, 300,000 injured and 1,000,000 homeless. It's also been estimated that 250,000 residences and 30,000 commercial buildings had collapsed or were severely damaged due to the disaster.
"We are going on this trip to serve the people of Haiti and to be a light that reflects Christ's love for us," said Ittersagen. "As folIowers of Christ we are passionate about making a difference and spreading the good news about Jesus that has changed our lives. It excites us to help the people in whatever way possible and be a blessing to a country that has been through a lot and is in so much need."
Every year, more than 1,000 volunteers from North America serve on short-term trips through NWHCM that leads groups and individuals of any age and background from churches, businesses, schools, or community associations on short-term trips 10 months of the year.
Ittersagen was informed of the NWHCM mission trip opportunity through his friend, Grant Roskowiak, a missionary in Haiti. Once he realized this was something he wanted to be a part of, he began to assemble the team that would travel to Haiti, which included Shaw.
CLICK HERE FOR UPDATES from Ittersagen and Shaw from Haiti.
About NWHCM:Through the instrument of the church, we serve thousands of people across Northwest Haiti regardless of their age, gender, or religion. We do so through a diverse collection of programs that include – among others – primary schools, feeding projects, orphanages, medical clinics, church planting, a Bible college, and agricultural development. We are the largest employer in the zone and one of the largest ministries in Haiti.
Northwest Haiti Christian Mission is built around partnerships with churches and individuals who are interested in ministry in Haiti. Every year, hundreds of volunteers travel to Northwest Haiti on short-term trips to participate with us in our work.
We are driven by our faith in Jesus Christ to serve with the poor and oppressed in the Western Hemisphere's poorest nation because we love them and we believe God loves them, too. We believe in Christ's promise to bring life in its fullest for all people, and we believe in His command to serve our impoverished neighbors.
In every community we serve, we hope that our work becomes a tool for healing and strengthening people's relationships with God. Whether we are meeting people's basic human needs, improving their living conditions, or sharing the gospel, we aim to always be encouraging individuals in their faith journey and pointing them toward a saving relationship with Jesus Christ.
For more information or how to get involved, visit www.NWHCM.org.
