Can’t Wait! …
In my last update, I shared what a productive year this has been in both Haiti and the Mississippi Delta.
Now, we turn our attention to a brand new year that is filled with endless possibilities.
Mississippi Delta
Housing
I’m thrilled to report that we have all of the financing in place to build our very first house in the Mississippi Delta. The financing is a combination of traditional bank mortgage financing and private funds to be issued in the form of a mortgage.
Construction on this first house should begin within the first three months of the new year. It’s our hope and belief that God will enable us to build many houses in the Delta over the next few years.
Jobs
Another goal in 2020 in the Delta is to build a 3,000 sq. ft. Economic Development Center that will serve as both a business incubator and a place for existing businesses to come to the Delta. We have about 30% of the funding in place to build the Center and we believe God will provide the rest in due time.
Already, we have one business ready to launch. This business will be owned and operated by a lady in Jonestown who has proven to have consistency, intelligence, and a strong work ethic. I am so excited about this lady becoming a business owner, employing people from her hometown, and making a great income for herself and her family.
Medical Clinic
After a lengthy search, it appears we have a Nurse Practitioner to run our new medical clinic in the Delta. We hope to open the clinic within the first three months of the new year. This will be a game-changer for the health and well-being of the residents of Jonestown, MS.
Haiti
Cafetorium
In Thoman, Haiti, we are excited to begin construction on the brand new cafetorium at the school. All the funding was raised through our Fall Campaign and we should start building within a few weeks. This will be a HUGE addition to the school and the entire community.
Mobile Medical
In the mountains of Thoman, we will start a Mobile Medical Unit beginning in June. We’ve purchased the side-by-side vehicle that will be used to access the villages in the mountains. It will be shipped to Haiti the first of the year. In addition, Nate Grabill who has spearheaded this effort has already interviewed numerous Haitian doctors who are interested in being our full-time physician for the Mobile Medical Unit.
Galette Chambon
We are looking forward to our missionaries (Tony and Mickie West, Abby Winstead) returning to the Hope Center in Galette Chambon. The civil unrest has greatly subsided and we are waiting until the right time for them to return. They are greatly missed in Haiti and their absence has left a big void. Nonetheless, the work they were doing has continued due in large part to their investment in the local people.
Malnutrition Center
We are very excited about reopening the Malnutrition Center. Also, we can’t wait to make the entire Center solar-powered. Most of the solar panels, batteries, and other materials have been purchased. A group from Georgia Tech was scheduled to do the installation this past October. Now, they are ready to go to Haiti and complete the installation as soon as possible.
Recently in Thoman, Haiti
We are grateful for the church we partner with in Thoman, Haiti that is led by Pastor Mathurin. A couple of weeks ago they baptized 14 new believers in the river below the church. We praise God for these new Christians!
Recently in Galette Chambon, Haiti
Last week, our schools in Galette Chambon hosted a series of Christmas parties. I love the way our missionary, Mickie West, described these parties:
“Yesterday, all of the students, teachers, administrators, and staff at BGM Primary held a big Christmas party at the new school. It was a super-fun occasion. It was a time of laughter and fun, dancing and eating!! I’m so happy to see everything going so well. I just want to give a big shout out to our sponsors right now. You are looking at a school full of happy, healthy kids because you help these kids go to school. Most of the children at our school come from the poorest of the poor families in our village. They would NOT be coming to school if you were not sponsoring them. They would not be eating every day if you were not sponsoring them. Their teachers and administrators would not have their jobs if you were not sponsoring the children here. Your sponsorships are what makes THIS happen!! You are a part of something incredibly exciting, and I just want to once again say THANK YOU SO VERY MUCH!!!”
New Book
So many miraculous events have occurred over the first eight years of existence of But God Ministries. In my new book, But God—A Story of God using Ordinary People in Extraordinary Ways in the World’s Most Difficult Places, you’ll discover story after story of God at work today in one of the poorest places in the world and one of the most challenging places in America. God has shown his power, love, and grace in amazing ways!
To order a copy, go to booksbystan.com. Also, you can order a copy of my devotional book entitled, I Was Thinking . . . Both of these make great Christmas gifts! And, a portion of the proceeds will go to support the work of BGM.
End of the Year Donation
If you are considering an end of the year donation, please make sure the postmark on the envelope is December 31 and not later. Also, if you give online, please make sure the donation is made by midnight on December 31 and not later.
You can give online HERE or send a check to: But God Ministries, 404 Fontaine Place, Suite 104, Ridgeland, MS, 39157.
In addition, I ask for your prayers for wisdom and energy for our Haitian staff, our Delta staff, our American staff in Haiti and the U.S., and our Board of Directors.