Sad News…
It is with a heavy heart that I share with our BGM family the news of the passing of Terry Warren. Terry and his wife, Kathy, were our first missionaries in Thoman, Haiti. Terry battled pulmonary fibrosis for some time and went to be with the Lord this past Saturday.
Terry was one of the most godly men I have had the privilege to know. He was steady, consistent, and true. He loved the Lord, his family, and the people of Haiti.
Terry’s impact will be felt in Haiti for many generations. Terry and Kathy started our child sponsorship program by personally sponsoring two children in the village of Thoman and running the program through their home church of FBC Pea Ridge, Arkansas. A year later, we built the Hope Center in Thoman and brought the sponsorship program into the BGM fold. Thereafter, we expanded the sponsorship program to include the village of Galette Chambon.
Today, over 950 children are sponsored and over 1,800 children attend our 5 schools that are supported by the sponsorship program. These 950 children receive tuition, a uniform, and books. All 1,800 children receive an education and a daily meal. Many of these children would not eat every day if it were not for their sponsorship. All of this is possible because of the faith, courage, and convictions of Terry Warren.
The sponsorship program was not the only way Terry invested in Thoman. He has been responsible for agricultural projects, houses being built for desperately poor Haitian families, and countless teams going to Haiti and investing in the community of Thoman. He was always searching for ways to help others. As our BGM accountant, Julie Humphreys, wrote to me when she found out about Terry’s passing, “I sure will miss his phone calls letting me know who he wants to help in Haiti.” Terry was constantly thinking of ways to help others.
Terry and Kathy helped provide medical care to many, many Haitians. Kathy used her experience and knowledge as a nurse to care for those who were hurting. Terry loved and admired Kathy so much for her willingness to serve God using her skills and training. He wrote, “I’m just amazed by Kathy. People coming to the door step every day for care until we get the clinic open. She is truly an angel. Without her here these folks who are coming would have no hope of care. Some are walking hours just to get here. God bless and take care of Kathy.”
Terry, Kathy, and one of the many little ones they have loved in Haiti
Not only did Terry and Kathy provide direct medical care, they paid the tuition for a young Haitian lady named June to get her degree in nursing. Upon learning of Terry’s passing, June wrote the following: “Mr. Terry was more than a father to me. He decided to pay my four years in nursing school. He did this not only for me but for a whole population because now I serve a whole community in health care, thanks to him.”
Terry, Kathy, and June
In addition, Terry and Kathy opened their home to Wesly Merystal, Pastor Mathurin’s oldest son. Wesly wanted to come to the States and get a college education and then go to dental school before returning to his village of Thoman to practice dentistry. Terry and Kathy arranged for Wesly to spend two years in their home and helped him enroll in a nearby community college where Wesly made all A’s. This coming May, Wesly will graduate from William Carey University with his Bachelor’s degree. It all started with Terry and Kathy.
Terry and Wesly
Terry and Pastor Mathurin