Local missionaries say lessons to be learned from Haiti situation

A photo showing Dave Brewster (baseball cap) on one of his missionary trips.

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Story Published: Feb 5, 2010 at 11:27 PM PDT

Story Updated: Feb 5, 2010 at 11:27 PM PDT

By Anne Harding

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LEWISTON - Thee missionaries who are sitting in a Haitian jail say they believed they were doing what was best for the children. But Haitian leaders say that doesn't make it okay to break the law.

A father and son in Lewiston who have been on numerous overseas missions say there are ways to avoid misunderstandings in foreign lands.

Mark and Dave Brewster have been overseas multiple times to spread a Christian message and help those in poverty. They say they try to learn the culture and laws of their destination before leaving the country, but that it's always best to have an interpreter to make sure no lines are crossed.

"When you go to another culture you really have to have somebody on the ground, like a local, that knows the language, knows the culture and knows the social things that go on with the government and everything like that," said Dave Brewster.

Dave, and his dad Mark, said while the 10 American missionaries now in jail. 8 of them from Idaho, may have had the best intentions, bit that it's important not to act out of emotion.

"They certainly had good hearts," said Mark Brewster. "They had a very genuine, sincere desire to be of help. However, you have to go through the proper agencies. You have to do things the proper way."

"If they're saying we need help here, then it's a good idea to go," said Dave. "If they're saying we don't need help, we need trained professionals on the ground right now. Right now we need care packets, or that kind of thing it's best to try and listen to what the people with experience are trying to tell you."

The Brewster's said they hope the Haitian government will realize the Americans were trying to help and that they don't think the Americans' misunderstood actions will discourage others missionaries from going overseas.

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