Mission trips

While there is ample need in Southeast Missouri for charitable support, the need does not end here.

Eight members of two Cape Girardeau churches recently flew to Haiti to help build six homes. The country is still rebuilding from a magnitude-7.0 earthquake nearly 10 months ago that killed an estimated 200,000 and left 2 million homeless.

The mission trip joined by these eight Southeast Missouri residents was organized by the national Church of God in Indiana. Their effort has built dozens of homes for displaced Haitians.

The Christian Medical Mission to Jamaica, a Cape Girardeau medical mission team, is preparing for their spring trip to Jamaica where they will treat 1,000 to 1,500 individuals. Services the team will provide include medical exams, minor surgeries, dental care and vision and hearing testing and correction.

These two mission groups are not the only groups in Southeast Missouri reaching out in support to impoverished areas. Many groups, often faith-based, are involved in mission work to provide financial, construction and medical assistance to those in desperate need.

As we approach the holiday season, it's important to be thankful for all our blessings and to support those in need -- both here and abroad.