There are so many good things happening in Haiti right now I hardly know where to start! God is blessing in countless ways. I experienced some of these things on a trip to our Hope Center in Thoman a few weeks ago.
Our team, like other teams, helped in the medical clinic, built a house, painted 7 houses, had a food distribution, conducted a ladies Bible study, held a VBS, held another Bible study, had a worship service, and played with the children.
Here name is Anna. She is standing in front of the house our team helped to fund and build.
Gustav, who had been severely burned a couple of years ago, standing in front of his freshly painted house.
Ladies Bible Study each morning
Handing out shorts, provided by ladies at Colonial Heights Baptist Church in Ridgeland, MS, to some of the children. They loved them!
Despite its overwhelming poverty, Haiti is a beautiful country. Behind my wife and daughter andme arebeautiful mountains near Thoman. Below us is the village of Matthias whereour team went. Matthias is very primitive with no electricity, no running water, and people living in small huts.
Playing games with the children in Matthias following the Bible story.
Bible study and worship time in Matthias.
This man was paralyzed last October. He and his wife have 3 small children and 4 grandchildren for whom they are responsible. He can no longer work in the garden or anywhere else. They have been mired in hopelessness. But now, thanks to an American Christian, all of their children are sponsored inPastor Mathurin’sschool where they will receive tuition, a uniform, books, materials, and a meal every day.
Kyle is a freshman at Ole Miss. Wherever he went, a soccer game broke out!
Haitians at our clinic waiting to see the doctor
This little girl has spina bifida. There is very little treatment for her. Two of our team members, Anna and Leeann, spent time with her hoping to bring a few moments of love and joy.
So Much Hunger
A drought struck Haiti about a year ago. The effects of that drought are still being felt. I’ve seen more hunger recently in Haiti than I have in all 5 years I’ve been working there.
Hunger is a terrible thing that robs people of energy, hope, and a future. We’ve seen people who are extremely thin and close to death. We’ve seen people who haven’t eaten in days. While we normally don’t give handouts, there are certainly times when relief is in order.
Helen holding a 27 day old child. The mother did not think she was able to breast feed, so the only thing the child had been given for 27 days was river water. Well, not anymore! We gave the baby formula from our clinic and this little one sucked it down. We gave the mother more formula and instructed her to come back to the clinic with the child on a certain date for a check-up.
The team paid for a food distribution for 48 families living in a remote area in the mountains. The drought had decimated their crops and they have nothing to eat. It was a great day helping to provide rice and beans and oil.
Millie, a senior at Mississippi State, has been with us to Haiti many times. Recently, she has seen the extreme malnutrition in both of our locations. She decided to raise funds via social media for Plumpy Nut, a food item rich in nutrients. Amazingly, Millie raised $7,000!!! Now, we are able to distribute Plumpy Nut to those hit hard by the drought and suffering from malnutrition.
Miracle!
Michael Volk, an engineer living in Madison, MS, recently got the idea that our houses in Galette Chambon should have running water. That seemed crazy! How could it be? But he prayed and gathered other engineers and water experts and now all 44 houses on the hill in Galette Chambon have pipes coming to their houses and running water. It’s truly miraculous!
Tony West helping unload pipes
Haitians digging the trenches for the pipes
Pipes going to the homes
Junior gave leadership to the water project. Here, the piping and faucet are attached to the side of a house.
Mickie West taking minutes of a meeting of home owners. The people elected a Water Association Board to manage the new water system and take responsibility for repairs and distribution.
Food for the Children
For several years, the children at the school in Thoman have received a meal each day at school. However, at the two schools we work with in Galette Chambon, there has never been a meal. The children come to school having eaten no breakfast and then receive no lunch either. I have no idea how they could concentrate.
How, however, thanks to our wonderful sponsors who are sponsoring over 160 children in Galette Chambon (not counting the 280 in Thoman), we have begun providing a meal each day at the schools. This is life-changing for the children and their families. If you are interesting in sponsoring a child for $37 per month, click HERE.
Salomon, the principal, leading a few of the children in prayer to thank God for their food.
Alex, one of our interpreters, sitting with the children as they receive their first school meal. Alex is great with the children!
The children at Pastor Johel’s school lining up for their first meal at the school.
Not only are the children receiving food, but now 4 cooks and a janitor have received jobs!
Jobs, Jobs, Jobs
Our partnership with the University of Alabama School of Business is training Haitian entrepreneurs to start their own businesses. Frantz was recently trained by the Alabama students and faculty and has started his own auto parts store. It’s called Waka Waka Auto Parts.
Frantz standing next to his new business. Notice the “Roll Tide” sign as well as the two scripture references!
Waka Waka Auto Parts
And 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, 400 Fontaine Place, Suite 103, Ridgeland, MS,39157.
In addition, I ask for your prayers for wisdom and energy for our Haitian staff, our American staff in Haiti, our staff in the States, and our Board of Directors.
Can’t Wait To See What God Does Next,
Stan Buckley
Executive Director
But God Ministries