Mail

Many missionaries in Haiti use mail services to get their mail or cargo from the States.

We signed a contract with Mission Flights International as do all Wesleyan missionaries. We pay for the service as well as $1.25 a pound for mail and cargo.

The mail you send goes to MFI's hanger in Ft. Pierce. There it is separated for the different mission organizations. In the North the plane flys into Cap Haitian twice a week. We have our mail and cargo come in just once a week to avoid extra trips to the airport.

If no cargo comes then the mail can be picked up at a missionaries house near Cowman school.

If cargo comes then the plane must be met at the airport. There is no place to store the cargo so it must be claimed and presented to customs the same day. Customs officials inspect the packages, you pay what they calculate is owed, which is about 20% of the items price or value, and then you are clear to go. Customs usually lets books, media (like videos), and small packages through without charge.

MFI also flys to Port-au-Prince for the missionaries in that area of Haiti. In Port there is a storage area for customs. It may take days or weeks before you can get your items out of customs there and all boxes are charged fees except the books and media. Sometimes things get misplaced and take months. When Cory went to LaGonave in October he found the nursery pots that he ordered in February had just arrived. Perishable items like coolers of food are often released the day they arrive.

Mail is easily sent out but packages need paper work (US customs forms for USA) to go into other countries from Haiti. MFI also flys missionaries and work teams. We are thankful for this organization and the support it provides.