The distinctive sound of duct tape and strapping tape being wrapped around suitcases and boxes filled the air at First United Methodist Church in Austin Thursday morning.

Friday, March 24, 2000

The distinctive sound of duct tape and strapping tape being wrapped around suitcases and boxes filled the air at First United Methodist Church in Austin Thursday morning.

The back of a van and the back of a truck were filled completely with suitcases, trunks and boxes as 12 members of the congregation of the church and its sister church, Fellowship United Methodist, prepared to go on a mission trip to Haiti.

Leading the trip is Pastor Pat Toschak of First United. Her daughter, Ann, is one of two teen-agers going in the group, which left Austin at 11:30 a.m. Thursday; the group returns April 3. The other teen is Tammy Lewis, who is 16 and doesn’t mind taking a little time off school for the mission trip.

"We’re going to work on building a school there," Lewis explained.

Everyone on the trip is responsible for bringing in a large amount of supplies for the people of the congregation in Haiti, ranging from building supplies to school and medical supplies. The supplies were donated by church members and Sunday school students.

The group will be working near Port-au-Prince, Haiti.

When the group returns, they will host a program to share their experiences.