I returned from Haiti last Wednesday following a brief trip to both of our locations – Galettle Chambon and Thoman. God continues to bless far beyond anything we imagined.
GALETTE CHAMBON
Classes
In Galette Chambon, missionary Mickie West has begun two very important classes for adults. One class is a Creole Literacy Class and it’s for people who cannot read or write in their own language. The other class is an English class. The response to both of these classes has been overwhelming. In fact, around 140 people wanted to participate so she’s had to offer the two classes now and she’ll offer the classes again in June.
Creole Literacy Class
English Class
Church
Our church in Galette Chambon continues to touch the lives of many with the Good News of the Gospel. Pastor Mickenson and our Worship Pastor, Odlin, continue to do a marvelous job leading the church. Two Sundays ago, April 26, Pastor Mickenson baptized 22 new believers.
We recently held an anniversary celebration at the church.
Pastor Mickenson baptizing a new believer
Another of the 22 baptisms on a recent Sunday
A Day in the Life . . .
You never know what to expect in Haiti, but you know God will give you countless opportunities to meet real needs. Mickie recently share the following event:
“Tonight after we finished with the man who had the stick in his foot, the security guard came to us and said that there were 6 people outside the gate who walked here from the other side of the mountain. It took them all day and evening to get here. They wanted to get here early enough to guarantee getting a card to see the doctor. One of our Haitian friends was so worried about them sleeping outside he began to try to figure out where they could sleep. Junior came too and he also wanted to figure some safe place for them to stay the night. We put our heads together and decided on the bus! So the bus has been converted to a hotel tonight. They have pillows and blankets and were very thankful for shelter. It’s hard to imagine having to go to this length to receive good health care. And we are so thankful God called us to give it.”
Orphanage
The 13 children at our orphanage in Galette Chambon continue to thrive with the help of the new full-time Orphanage Intern, Rachel Charpie. Rachel has been living at the orphanage with the children since February of this year following completion of her degree at William Carey University.
Rachel holding a recently delivered baby at our clinic in Galette Chambon
THOMAN
Dream Becomes Reality
We had a great big dream that God would provide the means for us to build a new Hope Center in the mountainous village of Thoman. He provided wonderfully and this year we began operating out of that new Hope Center which contains a medical clinic, dental clinic, house for our missionary couple, dorms for 32, two apartments for interns, a large kitchen, and eating area for visiting teams.
The main ministry taking place at the new Hope Center is medical/dental. However, our dream was that so much more ministry would take place out of that Hope Center. We believed God would also allow us to build houses in the village, educate children, train pastors, strengthen the local church, and share the gospel.
I am thrilled to report that the dream has already become a reality. God is allowing much ministry to take place in Thoman.
Housing
Everyone needs a roof over his head. Everyone needs a safe place to sleep at night. In March of this year, a team of 24 from Brasfield & Gorrie Construction Company of Birmingham spent a week in Thoman. Among other things, they built a house for the family of a man named Gustav. Last summer, Gustav was severely burned when his house caught on fire. Now, Gustav and his family have a safe place to call home and life has improved greatly. Better than that, Gustav recently become a Christ follower and every Saturday he is very excited to go to the new Believers class being taught at the Hope Center.
Last summer, Gustav was terribly burned when his house caught on fire.
The remains of Gustav’s burned house
The tin shack where Gustav and his family have been living since their house burned
A new house being built for Gustav. That’s me on the left with three of my favorite people: Terry Warren (blue shirt), our Thoman missionary, Jim Gorrie (orange hat), President of Brasfield & Gorrie Construction Co., and Buddy Huff (far right), president of the BGM Board of Directors.
Bible Study and New Believers
Terry Warren, our missionary at the Hope Center, started a Bible study for new believers as well as those who were interested in becoming a Christian. Recently, Terry handed the class over to Wesley, the 19 year old son of Pastor Mathurin. Wesley is doing a fantastic job. Last Saturday he had 61 people in the class and 15 of them professed their faith in Christ for the first time. Some of them are walking 3 hours round trip to attend the class. Praise God for raising up godly young Haitian men like Wesley!
Medical Care
Every day in Thoman our full-time Haitian physician, Dr. Julot, treats many patients. When we have visiting medical teams, many more patients are treated as we share the love of Christ in very tangible ways.
Dr. Julot with Gilot, one of the children at our orphanage in Galette Chambon
Dr. Julot treating a patient in Thoman
Pastors’ Conference
During March, three American pastors led by Dean Smith held a 4 day pastors’ conference in Thoman and then repeated the pastors’ conference the following week in Galette Chambon. Thirty-five pastors attended the conference in Thoman and received valuable training and encouragement for their work.
Thoman Pastors’ Conference
Kitchen
Every team that comes to Thoman wants to eat. Every day. We have wonderful cooks there and a couple of weeks ago a man we call Super Dave came from Virginia and, along with 3 of his friends, built cabinets and an island for the new kitchen. What a great job!
The new kitchen that will enable us to feed thousands of visiting Christians over the years
Staff Change
Charles and Hannah McCall and their two beautiful little girls have been serving in Haiti with BGM for well over a year. After contributing greatly to our work in Haiti for such a significant time, they will be returning to the States to pursue other work at the end of this month.
We are forever indebted to the McCalls for their work with us. Charles is our Agriculture Missionary and the work he has begun with the chicken coops and the recent educational garden will make a very real impact in the lives of suffering Haitians for many years to come. Hannah’s Bible studies and work in the orphanage have blessed countless numbers of Haitian women and children. We are grateful for their service to the Lord.
Finally . . .
As you can see, God is using But God Ministries in marvelous ways. Also, as you are aware, it takes a great deal of resources to do what God has called us to do. Would you please consider financially supporting BGM and our work in Haiti? Your gift will go a long way in helping us share the love of Christ in very tangible ways in that poverty-stricken nation.
You can give online HERE or send a check to: But God Ministries, 1440 North State Street, Jackson, MS, 39202.
In addition, I ask for your prayers for wisdom and energy for our Haitian staff, our American staff in Haiti, and our Board of Directors.
Can’t Wait To See What God Does Next,
Stan Buckley
Executive Director
But God Ministries