Haiti, one of the poorest countries in the Western Hemisphere, is located between Cuba and the Dominican Republic in the beautiful waters of the Caribbean. Despite its natural beauty, the country has been plagued by political turmoil, economic oppression, and spiritual darkness. Even though supplies and food have been donated in recent years, basic problems have remained unchanged.In 1993, Living Hope Mission was established with a special burden for the rural independant evangelical churches. LHM began by helping the churches with evangelism, the distribution of Bibles and study materials, and providing advice and resources.
Since its establishment, LHM has joined together with many North American Christians to accomplish its work. LHM hosts over 20 small groups of mission volunteers who work alongside their Haitian brothers and sisters in various ministries of LHM each year.
Our on-field missionary family is the Merzilus family. Wilbert Merzilus, one of eight children, grew up in rural Haiti. At twelve he was given the opportunity to go to school through the financial support of his older sister. She died an early death about the time Wilbert completed grade school. His prayers to continue his education were answered when God placed it on the heart of a friend from Florida to pay for his secondary education. Later he was given the opportunity to study in the United States.
Wilbert has worked as a lab technician, manager of Mission Aviation Fellowship in Cap-Haitien, Haiti, and now is director of Living Hope Mission. He also serves as an advisor to several other missions in Haiti.
Meg Merzilus' home state is Ohio. In 1985, after graduating from Eastern College, St. Davids, Pennsylvania, she started her service in Haiti. Before she and Wilbert were married in 1987, her mission involvement included working in an orphanage and an economic development project, coordinating work teams for Mission Vision and teaching English in a Haitian Vocational School.
Her great ability with the Haitian Creole language and love for people has allowed her to find a special place in the hearts of the Haitian people. Meg and Wilbert have two children, Katie and Christian.