Gramothe, Haiti
2012

Read about Dr. Brautigam

Donald F. Brautigam, MD and Elaine Brautigam

In 2012, Dr. Brautigam and his wife, Elaine, served as short-term missionaries at Mountain Top Ministries (MTM) in Gramothe, Haiti. The work of MTM was begun in 1999, by Willem Charles and his wife, Beth.

For Willem, the first order of business was the destruction of the five voodoo temples that stood on future home of Mountain Top Ministries. That accomplished, he enlisted the aid of area residents to pipe clean water to the village from a site up the mountain two miles away. As a result, Gramothe now enjoys the benefit of clean water from 24 spigots in the community as well as running water and plumbing in buildings constructed since that time. There is also a 60,000 gallon cistern on the premises.

Since that time, Mountain Top Ministries has grown to include a church, a school and a medical clinic.

These pictures illustrate the power of God to change a broken despairing community to one with a future and a hope.

Willem Charles began Mountain Top Ministries, Haiti, in 1999. The fascinating story of his life and work, Give Your Best by Andrew Dewitt, is available on Amazon.com.
Willem Charles began Mountain Top Ministries, Haiti, in 1999. The fascinating story of his life and work, Give Your Best by Andrew Dewitt, is available on Amazon.com.
The morning commute to Westfield Family Physicians is pretty dull compared to the commute to the Gramothe clinic.
The morning commute to Westfield Family Physicians is pretty dull compared to the commute to the Gramothe clinic.
Our 5-guy construction crew spent the week making repairs and upgrades to the MTM buildings. Notice the spectacular stone walls evident throughout the compound.
Our 5-guy construction crew spent the week making repairs and upgrades to the MTM buildings. Notice the spectacular stone walls evident throughout the compound.
This recent high school graduate from Ohio worked weighing patients and taking vital signs at the clinic. Is your Creole rusty? She is prepared with a poster of common phrases.
This recent high school graduate from Ohio worked weighing patients and taking vital signs at the clinic. Is your Creole rusty? She is prepared with a poster of common phrases.
Dr. Brautigam sees a patient in the clinic. He and one other family physician saw over 100 patients a day. The gentleman looking on is a translator. He was actually a lot more helpful than he appears to be in this picture!
Dr. Brautigam sees a patient in the clinic. He and one other family physician saw over 100 patients a day. The gentleman looking on is a translator. He was actually a lot more helpful than he appears to be in this picture!
This lovely lady and her child enjoy a higher standard of living in Gramothe than would have been possible even 12 years ago.
This lovely lady and her child enjoy a higher standard of living in Gramothe than would have been possible even 12 years ago.
MTM school has grown to over 1500 students, pre-school through high school. School fees of $25 a month are paid by sponsors' tax deductible donations. If you are interesting in sponsoring a child at MTM Gramothe school, please reference the information on the website at mtmhaiti.com.
MTM school has grown to over 1500 students, pre-school through high school. School fees of $25 a month are paid by sponsors' tax deductible donations. If you are interesting in sponsoring a child at MTM Gramothe school, please reference the information on the website at mtmhaiti.com.
"The Team" consisted of two family physicians, three nurses and two assistants as well as five construction/vehicle maintenance guys.
"The Team" consisted of two family physicians, three nurses and two assistants as well as five construction/vehicle maintenance guys.
There remain no voodoo temples in the village of Gramothe. Now, every week, hundreds of people worship shoulder-to-shoulder in this beautiful church building on the MTM campus.
There remain no voodoo temples in the village of Gramothe. Now, every week, hundreds of people worship shoulder-to-shoulder in this beautiful church building on the MTM campus.
This beautiful view of Mountain Top Ministry is visible for miles around in any direction.
This beautiful view of Mountain Top Ministry is visible for miles around in any direction.
The city of Port-au-Prince bustles with people and activity. Although Gramothe is only about 15 miles from the capital, the drive took us over an hour and half.
The city of Port-au-Prince bustles with people and activity. Although Gramothe is only about 15 miles from the capital, the drive took us over an hour and half.
Many post-hurricane tent cities remain in Haiti as the country struggles to build an infrastructure.
Many post-hurricane tent cities remain in Haiti as the country struggles to build an infrastructure.
An interior shot of MTM clinic. About 20 different volunteer medical teams set up shop here every year. The huge screenless windows open to fresh air and beautiful views.
An interior shot of MTM clinic. About 20 different volunteer medical teams set up shop here every year. The huge screenless windows open to fresh air and beautiful views.
These adorable children are able to attend school free of charge thanks to the sponsorship of generous donors in the USA and Canada. Some children walk as far as 1 1/2 hours (each way) to school every day. It is a joyful learning environment.
These adorable children are able to attend school free of charge thanks to the sponsorship of generous donors in the USA and Canada. Some children walk as far as 1 1/2 hours (each way) to school every day. It is a joyful learning environment.
Lonnie has the rapt attention of school boys as he works on a mission vehicle. The girls in the background seem unimpressed.
Lonnie has the rapt attention of school boys as he works on a mission vehicle. The girls in the background seem unimpressed.
High school students pray before lunch at school.
High school students pray before lunch at school.
This fierce beast is a watchdog at the guest house run by Willem's wife, Beth. There are four other, far more intimidating guard dogs on the premises, but at the time this picture was taken, it is assumed they are sleeping-in after a late night of barking incessantly.
This fierce beast is a watchdog at the guest house run by Willem's wife, Beth. There are four other, far more intimidating guard dogs on the premises, but at the time this picture was taken, it is assumed they are sleeping-in after a late night of barking incessantly.