Mark Buhlig, Development Worker

Type of Project: Financial Management
Request: Donation Management
Location(s): Haiti
Recipient: Various

Mark went to Mexico to help build a house in 2001 and his life has never been the same.  He found that paradoxically, giving turned into receiving. The more he gave of his time and talent (carpentry) the more peace and contentment he received.  That first experience started Mark on a path of discovery, a pilgrimage.  

After Mexico, Mark went to Mississippi to help rebuild after Katrina.  After Mississippi, Mark was invited to work with William Jewell College on a project in Honduras.  While still engaged in Honduras, Mark was invited to work on an island in The Bahamas, Eluethera, and learn from the good people there.  

The Haitian earthquake in 2010 clarified for Mark where he was to spend the next season of his life.  Mark responded to the earthquake by connecting with the Haitian community in Kansas City. Through trips to Haiti, Mark became involved with the Evangelical Churches of Haiti.  Mark’s immediate role is to be a resource connector for this network of churches.  As his knowledge and presence in Haiti increases that role will likely expand and he will continue to build on his existing relationships in the United States and Haiti.  

According to Mark: “...this work, this opportunity to be a part of life in Haiti, in order to be most effective, must be reciprocal.  If I only assume the posture of a giver and never a receiver, my work will drift toward an unhealthy place.  If, however, I am open to the spiritual nourishment that God has for me from Haiti and Haitians, the Kingdom of Heaven will surely be expressed in healthy ways...”

You can follow Mark’s at: www.pointsonthewheel.org