Simply Amazing! Last week and this week we have had four universities in Haiti. I was in Haiti last week with Georgia Tech and Mississippi State at our Thoman location. The University of Mississippi Medical Center was at our Galetter Chambon site. This week the University of Alabama is at our Galette Chambon location.
Members of the Georgia Tech team, led by research professor Frank Lambert, did the unthinkable last tweek. They made our entire Thoman Hope Center completely solar powered! They installed solar panels, batteries, and inverters and now we have electricity via the sun. Rarely will we have to run the generator, saving lots of money that can be used for other ministry opportunities.
The Georgia Tech team was a very diverse group with people from all over the U.S. plus China, Hungary, Chile, India, Ethiopia, and a native Haitian. Also, in addition to their solar work, they had a drone that took incredible video of the Hope Center and the surrounding area. Click HERE to see an amazing video!
Georgia Tech students putting the solar panels on the roof
All the panels on the men’s dorm
We have 16 batteries weighing 400 pounds each. The solar panels charge the batteries each day, the batteries operate the electrical system at night, and then recharge the next day.
Szilard from Hungary and Felipe from Chile hugging when the lights came on! They had worked over a year to make this a reality.
Let the Little Children Come
We had 8 young ladies in Thoman from the Kappa Delta sorority at Mississippi State. They were fantastic! They helped with VBS, gathered information on sponsored children at the nearby school, helped haul blocks for a house, and loved on all the children hanging out in front of the Hope Center. At VBS, they acted out the Bible stories of The Good Samaritan, David and Goliath, and Jesus Raising Lazarus from the Dead.
Getting information from a sponsored boy to report to his sponsor
Taking measurements of a sponsored child in case his sponsor wants to send a new set of clothes
Getting ready for David and Goliath
Sharing Jesus’ story of The Good Samaritan at a remote village
This little guy would not let go of me after VBS on Thursday!
Safe and Sound
Three families from Colonial Heights Baptist Church of Ridgeland, MS paid to build a house for a needy family. The house was built last week in Thoman.
Standing with the owner of the new house
The man who owns the new house worked constantly last week to help build his new home. Here, he is hauling water to mix with the concrete and sand.
Bad News/Good News
Last week I came across some horrible living conditions. A family of 5 is living in a mud hut that is 7 feet wide and 11 feet long. The floor is dirt and the walls are mud. My heart has been burdened for this family. I’ve wondered how bad it must be at night when all 5 of them gather in that little house to try and get some rest.
But God has not forgotten about them. A team from Palmetto, Georgia going to Haiti in two weeks called to say they want to build a house in Thoman! In two weeks this Haitian family will move into a brand new block house with much more room and that is far more stable and secure. Praise God!
Outside the current hut
The grandmother sitting on the floor. Notice the dirt floors and mud walls.
Awesome Medical Team
A medical team from the University of Mississippi Medical Center in Jackson, MS, also sponsored by Broadmoor Baptist Church of Madison, MS, spent last week in Galette Chambon. There were three doctors, an OT professor, medical students, OT students, a PA student from Mississippi College, and a pastor.
This team was led by Dr. Mike McMullan and his wife, Missy. They saw hundreds of patients, worked alongside our Haitian doctor and nurse, and prayed with countless people. What an amazing team!
Dr. Mike McMullan at the expanded clinic in Galette Chambon, surrounded by patients
Last Wednesday, the team conducted a remote clinic at the far end of the village of Thoman.
Alabama and 15,000
This week, 24 professors and students from the University of Alabama School of Business are in Galette Chambon helping train potential entrepreneurs to start their own businesses. This is sustainability!
We are thrilled to report that one of our Haitian businessmen, Nathan, recently received an order to make 15,000 pencil bags. This is incredible! He will hire numerous other Haitians to sew the bags and they will all receive excellent income. This order has come through an amazing for-profit organization called DOT, led by Hallie Darphin and based in Clinton, MS, which sells schools supplies and uses the profits to support children in schools in Africa and Central America. Check out DOT here.
We are thrilled the Alabama team is on site this week to work with Nathan to fill the largest order he has ever received.
Down by the Riverside
Recently, Pastor Mathurin in Thoman baptized 16 new believers in he river below Thoman. These are 16 souls that have been redeemed by the grace of God and who now have the hope of the gospel, an opportunity for the abundant life now, and eternity in heaven. Praise God!
Pastor Mathurin baptizing in the river
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