I was in Haiti last week with Brasfield & Gorrie Construction Company and professors from Auburn University. We had a great week sharing the gospel, distributing solar lanterns, helping with food distribution, building desks, playing soccer with the children, and planning for the future.
Jim Gorrie with new friends he met while distributing solar lanterns. The lanterns have a verse printed on them from John 8:12 in which Jesus said, “I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.” Jim took 1,000 solar lanterns to Haiti and they are making a huge difference for people with no access to electricity.
Her name is Naikise. To her right are three of her sisters. During a solar light distribution on Wednesday, they all put their faith in Christ. The four of them came to the Hope Center Wednesday night and we shared with them how they can grow in their new faith through Bible reading, prayer, and going to church. In front of her is her new Bible. Each sister received her own copy in Haitian Creole.
Trey and Ricky,from the Brasfield & Gorrie offices of Atlanta and B’ham, made 14 desks last week for the local school where we sponsor hundreds of children. They worked with several other Americans and they hired several Haitian young men to work alongside them.
For two years there has been a drought in Haiti. Then, Hurricane Matthew came along and destroyed the few crops that were growing. Last week we did a food distribution for people in the mountains who have little access to food at this time. Each family received rice, beans, and oil. That’s Kathi Jacob from B’ham on the right helping with the distribution. She’s a dear friend of BGM who has been to Haiti with us many times.
Last Tuesday we hiked over the mountain to the remote village of Matthias. Word quickly spread that we had arrived and many gathered for a special time of worship. The Haitians led in a marvelous time of music and the chaplain from Brasfield & Gorrie’s Orlando office, John Evans, shared a devotion.
Students from William Carey University and a couple of Haitian helpers painting the new Malnutrition Center a few weeks ago. Tim Glaze did a super job leading the students from William Carey.
New baby beds in a freshly painted room
Hurricane Relief
Many people gave towards hurricane relief after Hurricane Matthew did great damage in the southwest part of the island. I am pleased to report we have done the following thus far in a village called Maniche:
- repaired the roofs of 70 houses allowing families to escape the elements and move back into their homes
- spent two weeks using chains saws to clear countless trees from yards and gardens
- provided picks and machetes to 50 families
- provided emergency food relief for 70 families on three different occasions
We have more work to do and will be concentrating our efforts on a community near Galette Chambon that suffered greatly from the hurricane.
Haitian workers we hired for five weeks to repair over 70 roofs damage by Hurricane Matthew.
Our Haitian contractor Jacques, Keiylene Strickland (Nashville), Wayne Comans (Decatur, MS), and Bobby Brister (Madison, MS) in the village of Maniche cutting trees from yards and gardens.
Justin Strickland (Nashville) cut many trees from yards and gardens.
Christmas Help
Do you or your company normally send turkeys or other gifts to your clients at Christmas? Are you tired of trying to think of something new to send? If you would like to do something different this year, you can send a Christmas card, which we will provide, in which you share that you are making a gift in your clients’/friends’ honor to But God Ministries. Below are examples of what we did last year. If you are interested, please call our office at 601-983-1179.
Outside of Christmas Card from 2015
Inside of Christmas Card from 2015
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