Updates From The Bower Family In Haiti (2014-2015)
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(2015-November) Samantha and Michael learn how to update our webpage.
Samantha and Michael are working hard at learning computer repair and how to build a site. Pray for them as they are an asset to the ministry and work hard to help our ministry progress in Haiti.
Samantha and Michael are working hard at learning computer repair and how to build a site. Pray for them as they are an asset to the ministry and work hard to help our ministry progress in Haiti.
(2015-November) Land Purchase In Ouanaminthe
Pastor Yves Anselme, a close associate of the ministry we have here in Haiti, has been partner in prayer with our seminary graduates and pastors. He also has been an active participant in several of our church plants and continues to help during holiday programs and activities. His most recent involvement was in the Mathador church plant. He led a group of over 20 church members to Mathador from Ouanaminthe to assist in personal evangelism. They went door to door during several days, sleeping on the church benches in the evening. Many souls were saved that week and both church congregations were encouraged. Pastor Yves has lost the lease on the land he has been using for a simple lean-to church structure in Ouanaminthe. We are hoping to assist him in purchasing land before the end of 2015. Pray that we are able to know God's direction.
Pastor Yves Anselme, a close associate of the ministry we have here in Haiti, has been partner in prayer with our seminary graduates and pastors. He also has been an active participant in several of our church plants and continues to help during holiday programs and activities. His most recent involvement was in the Mathador church plant. He led a group of over 20 church members to Mathador from Ouanaminthe to assist in personal evangelism. They went door to door during several days, sleeping on the church benches in the evening. Many souls were saved that week and both church congregations were encouraged. Pastor Yves has lost the lease on the land he has been using for a simple lean-to church structure in Ouanaminthe. We are hoping to assist him in purchasing land before the end of 2015. Pray that we are able to know God's direction.
(2015-November) Door To Door Evangelism
We are making a renewed effort and commitment to get all of our campus staff involved in weekly personal evangelism. Beating the ground with the soles of our feet as we go from door to door, is the only way a church grows. It's hard work, but it pays off. We were out visiting last week and a lady accepted Christ as her Lord and Savior. Pray with us, that we are effective in showing Christ's love and compassion as we communicate the gospel with those around us.
We are making a renewed effort and commitment to get all of our campus staff involved in weekly personal evangelism. Beating the ground with the soles of our feet as we go from door to door, is the only way a church grows. It's hard work, but it pays off. We were out visiting last week and a lady accepted Christ as her Lord and Savior. Pray with us, that we are effective in showing Christ's love and compassion as we communicate the gospel with those around us.
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(2015-November) Anthrax Scare
A young girl who is in the children's program in the campus church and enrolled in the campus elementary school has come down with anthrax. The Haitians call it "Charcoal", because the boil like lesion takes on a charcoal like scab after a while. Anthrax, is not common, but it does show up from time to time. While not life threatening if treated quickly, anthrax can become dangerous if left untreated. The girl had been to several doctors before it was diagnosed. The lesion had grown to a 4 inch circle when the charcoal like scab appeared. She was taken to a nearby hospital where they preformed a skin graft, and is on antibiotics as she recovers. Please pray for a full recovery. |
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(2015-November) Death
We have had eight people die that are immediate family of church members in the last few weeks. Going in and out of the local cemetery for the funeral services, we are reminded how different our world here is than the world we left in the United States. Here in Haiti, the cemetery has limited space, so plots are reused. Old caskets and bones are dug up and thrown on the ground to make room for the new. So, the cemetery is full of bones, which are strewn along the ground. We buried a man in the same place I buried a friend last year. Stepping over bones, I wondered whose bones they were. Because of the string of deaths recently, the plots that were being reused had bodies that had not finished decaying. One was that of a child, with bones still inside of a sock wrapped in a little dress. Some places, life just has so little value. But not so for God, our names are engraved in the palm of his hand. The cross of Christ is a constant reminder of how precious our lives are to him. |
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(2015-November) Witch Doctor Saved
When we moved to Wallondry on the south side of St Raphael in 2003, there was a witchdoctor working not more than a few hundred meters on the far side of our campus wall. Every night we would hear the voodoo drums as he called his clients (pitit fèy) to come and worship. The thin flickering light coming from the candles in the temple would pierce the darkness and could be seen from our upstairs rooms. After a couple of years, the gospel began to have an effect on the area, and Emilio the witchdoctor had to move further from the gospel and out of our line of sight, so that he could continue with the demon worship. But we still could hear the regular beating of the drums when he would meet with the voodoo worshippers. We visited him multiple times and tried to give him the gospel and encourage him to get saved, but to no avail. However, this past August, he gave his life to Jesus and turned his back on Satan and the family's demons. He was sickly and he knew he didn't have long to live. Even though he was "saved as by fire", we were glad for a real decision that has impacted the lives of his extended family he has since left behind. When he accepted Christ, he not only made a personal decision, but a choice that led the family away from voodoo, making it easier for the rest of the family to break away as well. We buried Brother Emilio last week. He has passed on, leaving behind the misery and suffering this world carries. My joy will be made perfect when I stand next to him at the feet of Jesus.
When we moved to Wallondry on the south side of St Raphael in 2003, there was a witchdoctor working not more than a few hundred meters on the far side of our campus wall. Every night we would hear the voodoo drums as he called his clients (pitit fèy) to come and worship. The thin flickering light coming from the candles in the temple would pierce the darkness and could be seen from our upstairs rooms. After a couple of years, the gospel began to have an effect on the area, and Emilio the witchdoctor had to move further from the gospel and out of our line of sight, so that he could continue with the demon worship. But we still could hear the regular beating of the drums when he would meet with the voodoo worshippers. We visited him multiple times and tried to give him the gospel and encourage him to get saved, but to no avail. However, this past August, he gave his life to Jesus and turned his back on Satan and the family's demons. He was sickly and he knew he didn't have long to live. Even though he was "saved as by fire", we were glad for a real decision that has impacted the lives of his extended family he has since left behind. When he accepted Christ, he not only made a personal decision, but a choice that led the family away from voodoo, making it easier for the rest of the family to break away as well. We buried Brother Emilio last week. He has passed on, leaving behind the misery and suffering this world carries. My joy will be made perfect when I stand next to him at the feet of Jesus.
(2015-October) Motorcycle Purchase
Hector Couloute, who graduated from out seminary in 2007, is pastoring the church we planted in Cadush, Quartier Morin, near Cap Haitian, Haiti. The church is located in a very dangerous area where several friends of ours have been kidnapped. There is a road right by the church, which we used to travel every time we went to Cap Haitian, because it's a good short cut. Recently, a gang of thieves have taken over a part of the road and no one travels through any more. The gang is not more than a mile from the Cadush church. Because of the uncertainty and safety issue, Pastor hector has been very cautious. But , he has been forced to use public transportation. Through some special gifts, we have been able to purchase a much needed motorcycle for Pastor Hector.
Hector Couloute, who graduated from out seminary in 2007, is pastoring the church we planted in Cadush, Quartier Morin, near Cap Haitian, Haiti. The church is located in a very dangerous area where several friends of ours have been kidnapped. There is a road right by the church, which we used to travel every time we went to Cap Haitian, because it's a good short cut. Recently, a gang of thieves have taken over a part of the road and no one travels through any more. The gang is not more than a mile from the Cadush church. Because of the uncertainty and safety issue, Pastor hector has been very cautious. But , he has been forced to use public transportation. Through some special gifts, we have been able to purchase a much needed motorcycle for Pastor Hector.
(2015-October) The Radio Ministry Running Strong Again
Because of electrical issues, as well as some staffing problems, the radio ministry shut down from July through September. We have "reopened for business" with an increased staff as well as some more conservative music and preaching to ensure quality gospel music, preaching, and programming 16.5 hours a day. We have been told, there is very little conservative Christian music in the Creole language, but praise God we have been able to find enough to keep the radio fully broadcasting in Creole and French. Pray that the Lord protects the radio equipment in our hot, humid, and non air conditioned climate. Pray for our radio staff as they patiently deal with power outages, heat and humidity in closed recording rooms, and noises from chickens, cows, and passing motorcycles as they record.
Because of electrical issues, as well as some staffing problems, the radio ministry shut down from July through September. We have "reopened for business" with an increased staff as well as some more conservative music and preaching to ensure quality gospel music, preaching, and programming 16.5 hours a day. We have been told, there is very little conservative Christian music in the Creole language, but praise God we have been able to find enough to keep the radio fully broadcasting in Creole and French. Pray that the Lord protects the radio equipment in our hot, humid, and non air conditioned climate. Pray for our radio staff as they patiently deal with power outages, heat and humidity in closed recording rooms, and noises from chickens, cows, and passing motorcycles as they record.
(2015-September) Multiple Ministries / Multiple Missionaries
God has provided us with a beautiful campus and location suitable for housing several types of ministries and several missionary families to oversee these ministries. On campus we have many ministries functioning together, each overseen by their sponsoring missionary.
The Peart family is working with the elementary school and seminary on campus as well as having other school and church planting ministries in neighboring areas.
The Baker family is working with the seminary and the on campus church, as well as the market ministry, Jesus film ministry, and church planting ministries in Gonaives.
Dr Anne Livingston has a medical clinic on campus which preaches the gospel to each patient they treat.
The Bower family is working with the seminary, the ladies college, the adult school, the on campus church, and the radio station on campus as well as having many church planting endeavors in other areas.
We also have a Haitian support staff which help to make all these campus ministries run smoothly. Pray for us as we work hard for God, as He deserves more than we can give.
God has provided us with a beautiful campus and location suitable for housing several types of ministries and several missionary families to oversee these ministries. On campus we have many ministries functioning together, each overseen by their sponsoring missionary.
The Peart family is working with the elementary school and seminary on campus as well as having other school and church planting ministries in neighboring areas.
The Baker family is working with the seminary and the on campus church, as well as the market ministry, Jesus film ministry, and church planting ministries in Gonaives.
Dr Anne Livingston has a medical clinic on campus which preaches the gospel to each patient they treat.
The Bower family is working with the seminary, the ladies college, the adult school, the on campus church, and the radio station on campus as well as having many church planting endeavors in other areas.
We also have a Haitian support staff which help to make all these campus ministries run smoothly. Pray for us as we work hard for God, as He deserves more than we can give.
(2015-June) Ladies College Graduation Planned
The elementary school and adult school have already had final exams and the students are in their summer break. The seminary is wrapping up this week. The ladies college will continue through the month of June and conclude the month with their final exams and remission of projects. In July we are planning a special graduation ceremony for 5 of our students. Thank you for your prayers and giving to make a change in the lives of these young ladies.
The elementary school and adult school have already had final exams and the students are in their summer break. The seminary is wrapping up this week. The ladies college will continue through the month of June and conclude the month with their final exams and remission of projects. In July we are planning a special graduation ceremony for 5 of our students. Thank you for your prayers and giving to make a change in the lives of these young ladies.
(2015-June) Pastor Rodelin Phanet Plants a Church in Dubout, Limonade
Pastor Rodelin Phanet, on of our seminary professors here at Maranatha Theological Seminary, has been burdened to implant a church near the new internationally funded university between Cap Haitian and Ouanaminthe, Haiti. He chose a location near Limonade, just over a mile from the new university campus. We were able to help Pastor Rodelin rent a building and purchase some bench materials and chairs so that he can start meeting with the new converts in that area. It is exciting that on several occasions we have been able to take the seminary students to this area to do evangelism, They are helping their seminary professor start a new church plant. What a great way for them to gain practical experience!
Pastor Rodelin Phanet, on of our seminary professors here at Maranatha Theological Seminary, has been burdened to implant a church near the new internationally funded university between Cap Haitian and Ouanaminthe, Haiti. He chose a location near Limonade, just over a mile from the new university campus. We were able to help Pastor Rodelin rent a building and purchase some bench materials and chairs so that he can start meeting with the new converts in that area. It is exciting that on several occasions we have been able to take the seminary students to this area to do evangelism, They are helping their seminary professor start a new church plant. What a great way for them to gain practical experience!
(2015-June) Recent Political Violence Leads to a Near Attack on Campus.
Our first term here in Haiti, from 1999-2003 was a time of violence. Our lives were exposed to danger on a near daily basis, and we saw our share of death. At the end of our first furlough we were reluctant to go back, but the call of God burned in our hearts and compelled us to return. The political climate stabilized soon after, ushering in nearly 8 years of relative peace. We took advantage of this time of stability, training pastors and building churches. But, a new wave of political upheaval has appeared on the horizon. For us, it's reminiscent of times past, and times we want to keep forgotten. Sunday, May 31st, a group of over 50 young men congregated in front of our campus gate and threatened to come in and remove the whites. It's been a while since we've heard racial slurs and political harangue escalate to this level of violence. So, we called the UDMO, a special branch of the police that deals with riots, and they came and dispersed the crowd peaceably (thankfully, no one was killed). But, as soon as the UDMO left , the crowd regathered, making more noise than before. We are living with this tension now, although we have not been threatened since. There does not seem to be any respite in the near future, as the political tension is building up in preparation for the local senatorial elections scheduled for August 9th and the presidential elections scheduled for October 25th. Pray for us that the ministry of the local church is not hindered.
Our first term here in Haiti, from 1999-2003 was a time of violence. Our lives were exposed to danger on a near daily basis, and we saw our share of death. At the end of our first furlough we were reluctant to go back, but the call of God burned in our hearts and compelled us to return. The political climate stabilized soon after, ushering in nearly 8 years of relative peace. We took advantage of this time of stability, training pastors and building churches. But, a new wave of political upheaval has appeared on the horizon. For us, it's reminiscent of times past, and times we want to keep forgotten. Sunday, May 31st, a group of over 50 young men congregated in front of our campus gate and threatened to come in and remove the whites. It's been a while since we've heard racial slurs and political harangue escalate to this level of violence. So, we called the UDMO, a special branch of the police that deals with riots, and they came and dispersed the crowd peaceably (thankfully, no one was killed). But, as soon as the UDMO left , the crowd regathered, making more noise than before. We are living with this tension now, although we have not been threatened since. There does not seem to be any respite in the near future, as the political tension is building up in preparation for the local senatorial elections scheduled for August 9th and the presidential elections scheduled for October 25th. Pray for us that the ministry of the local church is not hindered.
(2015-June) Pastor Markelito Fanfan Has Kidney Stones
Pray for Pastor Markelito, pastor of Faith Baptist Church (Eglise Baptiste de la Foi). He has kidney stones accompanied by some gastral ulcers. He has spent the last several weeks in and out of hospitals.
Pray for Pastor Markelito, pastor of Faith Baptist Church (Eglise Baptiste de la Foi). He has kidney stones accompanied by some gastral ulcers. He has spent the last several weeks in and out of hospitals.
(2015-May) Harvest Revival at Maranatha Baptist Church
We celebrated our 12th anniversary on Sunday May 10th. We held a week of revival services in preparation, and enjoyed the preaching of Pastor Edris from Eglise Baptiste de l"Espoir in Cap Haitian. We praise the Lord for the 7 people thatcame to Christ during this week of special services.
Faith Baptist Church pastored by Markeliot Fanfan held itheir Harvest Revival from 29April-3May.
Calvary Baptist Church pastored by Eliphene Belizaire and Guillot Francois held their Harvest Revival from 11-17 May.
Shekinah Baptist Church pastored by Frisnel Pierre held their Harvest Revival from 10-14 May.
Eben'Ezer Baptist Church pastored by Hector Couloute will be holding special services 21 June.
Mahaneim Baptist Church pastored by Daniel Sidalmé and Jasmin Pierre will be holding their Harvest Revival from 13-19 July.
We celebrated our 12th anniversary on Sunday May 10th. We held a week of revival services in preparation, and enjoyed the preaching of Pastor Edris from Eglise Baptiste de l"Espoir in Cap Haitian. We praise the Lord for the 7 people thatcame to Christ during this week of special services.
Faith Baptist Church pastored by Markeliot Fanfan held itheir Harvest Revival from 29April-3May.
Calvary Baptist Church pastored by Eliphene Belizaire and Guillot Francois held their Harvest Revival from 11-17 May.
Shekinah Baptist Church pastored by Frisnel Pierre held their Harvest Revival from 10-14 May.
Eben'Ezer Baptist Church pastored by Hector Couloute will be holding special services 21 June.
Mahaneim Baptist Church pastored by Daniel Sidalmé and Jasmin Pierre will be holding their Harvest Revival from 13-19 July.
(2015-April) Joshua Bower Graduates
Josh was able to finish his classes early and complete his senior year this month. He will be flying to Florida to work in preparation for going to Pensacola Christian College. Gospel Baptist Church and School has allowed him to walk with their graduates and participate in their graduation commencement services. We are thankful for their willingness to include Joshua and encourage him as he warps from a third world culture and climate here in Haiti and begins to seek out God's will for his life in this foreign country of the United States. Pray for Josh, as even a simple question "what's your nationality" is complex. "I'm a Haitian/Canadian/American whose current citizenship is in heaven?"
Josh was able to finish his classes early and complete his senior year this month. He will be flying to Florida to work in preparation for going to Pensacola Christian College. Gospel Baptist Church and School has allowed him to walk with their graduates and participate in their graduation commencement services. We are thankful for their willingness to include Joshua and encourage him as he warps from a third world culture and climate here in Haiti and begins to seek out God's will for his life in this foreign country of the United States. Pray for Josh, as even a simple question "what's your nationality" is complex. "I'm a Haitian/Canadian/American whose current citizenship is in heaven?"
(2015-April) Tim Teaches a Seminary Course on Exposition.
As if exposition itself isn't hard enough, Tim started with a review of French, Creole, and Greek grammer before analyzing a hundred common Bible verses. With each of those Bible verses, they compared eleven French translations with the two Creole translations available. Then they studied the verses using a French Greek Interlinear as well as a TR Greek text with Morphological codes. The goal was to have each student work on one hundred sermons based on the text of one hundred foundational verses. We pray this will be a help as these men continue to preach and teach God's Word.
As if exposition itself isn't hard enough, Tim started with a review of French, Creole, and Greek grammer before analyzing a hundred common Bible verses. With each of those Bible verses, they compared eleven French translations with the two Creole translations available. Then they studied the verses using a French Greek Interlinear as well as a TR Greek text with Morphological codes. The goal was to have each student work on one hundred sermons based on the text of one hundred foundational verses. We pray this will be a help as these men continue to preach and teach God's Word.
(2015-April) Bible Seminar and Easter Services
Every year we hold a Bible seminar for our local church people during the week between Palm Sunday and Easter. This month we studied "An Introduction to the Bible", using an EBEX book printed in the Creole language. 130 people came for the week of classes. We ate rice together, studied God's Word together, prayed together, and praised the Lord together! It was a beautiful way to pass our spring break.
Every year we hold a Bible seminar for our local church people during the week between Palm Sunday and Easter. This month we studied "An Introduction to the Bible", using an EBEX book printed in the Creole language. 130 people came for the week of classes. We ate rice together, studied God's Word together, prayed together, and praised the Lord together! It was a beautiful way to pass our spring break.
(2015-March) A Normal Month Filled With Regular Campus Activities
The month of was a time of "catching up" and continuing with normal campus activities. Our radio has begun transmitting from 5AM to 9:30PM every day, seven days a week. The seminary, adult school, ladies college, elementary school, and high school (homeschool) have been doing well and their prospective staff have been doing an exemplary job. Our church plants in Walondry, Lina, Savanne Bourg, Garde Biassou, Bassin Caiman, Mathador, Cadush, and Leogane are carrying on in the ministry. Our co-workers on campus, the Bakers and Dr. Anne are well and hard at work in their propsective ministries as well. We are praying for our co-workers on furlough, the Pearts, as they are travelling and updating their supporting churches.
The month of was a time of "catching up" and continuing with normal campus activities. Our radio has begun transmitting from 5AM to 9:30PM every day, seven days a week. The seminary, adult school, ladies college, elementary school, and high school (homeschool) have been doing well and their prospective staff have been doing an exemplary job. Our church plants in Walondry, Lina, Savanne Bourg, Garde Biassou, Bassin Caiman, Mathador, Cadush, and Leogane are carrying on in the ministry. Our co-workers on campus, the Bakers and Dr. Anne are well and hard at work in their propsective ministries as well. We are praying for our co-workers on furlough, the Pearts, as they are travelling and updating their supporting churches.
(2015-March) Computer Classes
Our radio staff has been gifted with the knowledge and ability to use computers. So they have teamed up to teach a computer class on Saturdays. This class is a great public outreach and a chance to give a preliminary presentation of the gospel to people in our community.
Our radio staff has been gifted with the knowledge and ability to use computers. So they have teamed up to teach a computer class on Saturdays. This class is a great public outreach and a chance to give a preliminary presentation of the gospel to people in our community.
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(2015-Feb) Church Construction in Mathador, Dondon
We are excited to have completed the construction on a new church building in Mathador, Dondon. Mathador is about an hour drive from our main campus in Wallondry, that is if the river doesn't rise and the the mudpits don't swallow the truck! A work team from Colonial Hills Baptist Church in Indianapolis, accompanied by folks from Taylorville, IL and Ft Myers, FL and Halifax, NS put up the church in a record six days. They finished so fast, they were able to build a parsonage in Garde Biassou and complete another parsonage in Wallondry. We praise the Lord for his provision and are thankful for the spirit of sacrifice of these who have not only supported financially, but have also lent a hand in the construction of a church in this rural area of Dondon. |
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(2015-Feb) Youth Retreat In Leogane Ends In Sorrow.
Every year we send our church young people to a different location to do evangelism and ministry activities during the Mardi Gras Carnaval week. This year they went to help Pastor Roland in Leogane. Leogane is well known in Haiti as a hard core voodoo area, commonly referred to as "the voodoo capital of Haiti." Evidently, the devil didn't like us in his backyard and fought back. Pastor Vanier and Eliphene had a motorcycle accident on the most treacherous part of the trip, in an area known as "goat mountain." Vanier had a concussion and Eliphene almost broke his leg. After a spiritually profitable week of evangelism and encourgement the young people were climbing the same Goat Mountain in the bus when they had an accident. One of our young people Jhon Béon, the bus drivers son, was killed. Our young people are still in the midst of suffering and dealing with the loss. Haitian cemetaries are not clean places, as there are human bones scattered everywhere. As we carried Jhon's casket into the local cemetary for burial, I was reminded of both the brevity of life and the reality of death. "Work for the night is coming." |
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(2015-Feb) Radio Station
Maranatha Radio FM began broadcasting with wobbly knees in December. Since then however, we have begun progamming and recording our own broadcasts and reaching into the community with programs animated by pastors and teachers that the local people recognize. Bible reading, preaching, conservative music, prayer programs, news, and local announcements are being broadcasted into our local communities 16 hours a day. |
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(2015-Jan) Riots, Demonstrations, and Political Upheaval
Due to the political and economic instability that is endemic to Haiti, riots and demonstrations are part of the norm. Our new year started with a series of riots and demonstrations in the north due to bad road conditions, lack of electricity, and "lavi chè" - the high cost of living. Because of the violence and the threat to the students, our schools were unable to open for the spring semester until the last week of January. |
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(2015-Jan) Translation Work
Pastor Renaud Paul, author and one of our seminary teachers, has been working on several translation projects as well as writing several books. We have been working with Pastor Renaud on two translation projects; John Walsh's storytelling book, "All The Stories Of The Bible", and three movie scripts for post dubbing from Don Ross's Harvest Production movies. Both projects have been completely translated and are now in the editing stages. |
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(2015-Jan) Motorcycle Purchased For Mathador Ministry
Pastor Daniel Sidalmé recieved a new motorcycle so he and Pastor Jasmin Pierre can travel back and forth to their actively growing minsitry in Mathador, Dondon (Haiti). |
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(2014-Dec) Revival Servies, VBS Programs, and Christmas Services
The end of the year is always a busy time for our area churches. We help to organize Christmas and New Year programs in our newer church plants every year, and it's a good time for our more stable churches to encourage the newer ones. Every church has a choir and several singing groups that take turns singing in the eveinigns at these revival services. Our bus puts on a lot of miles as it goes back and forth almost every evening to various revival services and activities. It's a time of encouragement and blessing as week think about all the Savior had done for us. |
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(2014-Dec) Lawsuit Dropped
We praise the Lord, the lawsuit against the land was dropped due to lack of evidence. Before our furlough in 2014, a lawsuit was started to take away our land in Wallondry where our home, church, and main campus are built. We legally purchased 3 acres of land in 2002, registered the deed and followed all the proper channels. The lawsuit was actually conveined and concluded in our absence and we were never notified. After the conclusion of the lawsuit we heard "through the grapevine" that we were about to lose our land and be evicted. So, we cut our furlough short and came back home to Haiti. Through God's miraculous intervention the judge dropped the lawsuit and cited a lack of evidence. We thank everyone for their prayers and ask you to continue to pray, as the lawsuit can be restarted at anytime.
We praise the Lord, the lawsuit against the land was dropped due to lack of evidence. Before our furlough in 2014, a lawsuit was started to take away our land in Wallondry where our home, church, and main campus are built. We legally purchased 3 acres of land in 2002, registered the deed and followed all the proper channels. The lawsuit was actually conveined and concluded in our absence and we were never notified. After the conclusion of the lawsuit we heard "through the grapevine" that we were about to lose our land and be evicted. So, we cut our furlough short and came back home to Haiti. Through God's miraculous intervention the judge dropped the lawsuit and cited a lack of evidence. We thank everyone for their prayers and ask you to continue to pray, as the lawsuit can be restarted at anytime.
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(2014-Dec) Frazor Evangelism Team
Evangelist Jeremy Frazor from Calvary Baptist Church in Simpsonville, SC came with a group of talented young people to help organize multiple activities in some of our churches here in the St Raphael area. The evangelistic team held revival services in Eglise Baptiste Calvaire in Garde Biassou in the evenings. The special music and preaching of God's word touched the hearts of many. We held a Kid's Club program (VBS) in Wallondry had over 300 children in attendance. Jeremy combined a black belt demonstration with a Bible lesson for the children each day. On the final day, over 120 children came forward to make decisions, with 73 accepting Christ as their personal Savior. The team concluded their Haiti tour with a karate demonstration in the public high school in St Rahael. It was a fantastic opportunity to give the students a detailed presentation of the gospel. As the team was driving to Cap Haitian for their flight out, rioting had broken out over the lack of electricity and bad road conditions in an area called Latanri. While negotiating to cross over a road block with burning tires, we had rocks and bottles thrown at us and we were shot at. UDMO officers, the special forces of the Haitian police, came and used gas grenades to disperse the rioters before we could pass. Praise the Lord, we got the team to the airport with no one wounded. |
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(2014-Oct) Radio Station On The Air For The First Time
We have purchased most of the equipment we need for the radio station, including a 500 watt transmitter and a 37 foot antenna which will sit on top of the two story ladies college building. We tested some of the equipment and connected it to the transmitter, hanging the antenna off the stairwell. While it's not a permanent installation, we were able to broadcast some music for a couple of hours and get the word out in the community that the radio is definitely coming. We are thankful to George Rogier in Greenville for his advice and direction in getting things together. Continue to pray for us that the remainder of the equipment will come in and customs won't charge "an arm and a leg." |
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(2014-Oct) New Toyota Pickup
Actually it's not new, but it's new to us! We found a 2004 Toyota 4 door pickup with a 4 cyl. diesel engine and a stick transmission. It's an older truck, but it comes from the city, where it hasn't seen much mud and rock. It's what the Haitians affectionately call a "zo reken". While the interpretation means literally "shark bones," it's meant to show how tough the truck is. Driving home from the big city to our house in the "sticks", I had it in 4 wheel drive for over two and a half hours, plowing through mudholes that plunged the hood of the truck under muddy water more than once. |
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(2014-Oct) Adult Literacy School
Our Adult Literacy School reopened the first week of October with 24 present out of 34 enrolled. The literacy school was started to help adults that can't read and write. But, the program continues with these students to bring them up to a sixth grade educational level. Our purpose is to give people the ability to read the Bible for themselves. As many of the students do not attend church, they hear the gospel for the first time on campus, as well as every day they attend school. |
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(2014-09) Seminar on Marriage
We had 74 people attend a seminar on marriage and the home. Our church has over 175 members, but only about 15 married couples that come to church together. Haitian culture is deeply affected by immorality and the violence that goes along with voodoo beliefs and practices. This leaves the home in terrible shape, aberrated by moral decline and violence. Most of these 74 people attending the conference were young, unmarried people. Pray with us that the biblical teaching on the structure of the home and marriage will prepare these young people for the future and help them avoid the cultural trap that has been set for them by the devil.
We had 74 people attend a seminar on marriage and the home. Our church has over 175 members, but only about 15 married couples that come to church together. Haitian culture is deeply affected by immorality and the violence that goes along with voodoo beliefs and practices. This leaves the home in terrible shape, aberrated by moral decline and violence. Most of these 74 people attending the conference were young, unmarried people. Pray with us that the biblical teaching on the structure of the home and marriage will prepare these young people for the future and help them avoid the cultural trap that has been set for them by the devil.
(2014-09) Chikungunya Fever
Tim had a short bout with chikungunya fever that lasted for two days. A week later, he was priding himself on his manliness and ability to avoid the sickness, when it came back with another kick. What we affectionately call "chicken-gonna-getcha fever" is very similar to dengue
fever, which is nicknamed "break bone fever" because of the severe pain it causes in your bones and muscles. Both these diseases are transmitted by mosquitos. As there is no "cure", our only recourse is to treat the symptoms as the disease runs it's course. Chikungunha attacks the joints and
muscles, causing inflammation very similar to the effects of arthritis. Pray for us, as the inflammation and pain are known to carry on for weeks after the disease has run it's course.
Tim had a short bout with chikungunya fever that lasted for two days. A week later, he was priding himself on his manliness and ability to avoid the sickness, when it came back with another kick. What we affectionately call "chicken-gonna-getcha fever" is very similar to dengue
fever, which is nicknamed "break bone fever" because of the severe pain it causes in your bones and muscles. Both these diseases are transmitted by mosquitos. As there is no "cure", our only recourse is to treat the symptoms as the disease runs it's course. Chikungunha attacks the joints and
muscles, causing inflammation very similar to the effects of arthritis. Pray for us, as the inflammation and pain are known to carry on for weeks after the disease has run it's course.
(2014-09) School's -a- Startin !
As the summer has come to an end and the school year is starting, we are struggling with curriculum and staff decisions for the Ladies College, Adult School, and Seminary. We are trying to upgrade our Ladies College curriculum to include computers as well as other new classes, so we are working on a change in teaching staff and curriculum. Our Adult School has about 30 students enrolled. We are planning to open on Oct 6th. Hannah and Sarah Anne in the French Christian elementary school on campus, while the three older kids, who are in high school, are being homeschooled by RoseAnne. Lloyd has already left the nest and is a freshman at Pensacola Christian College this fall. Pray for Lloyd as he struggles to balance working off campus with a full load of classes. Pray also that Lloyd will learn to trust the Lord to provide financially. He has seen the Lord move mountains and miraculously provide for his parents, now it has to become a personal faith in the almighty God.
As the summer has come to an end and the school year is starting, we are struggling with curriculum and staff decisions for the Ladies College, Adult School, and Seminary. We are trying to upgrade our Ladies College curriculum to include computers as well as other new classes, so we are working on a change in teaching staff and curriculum. Our Adult School has about 30 students enrolled. We are planning to open on Oct 6th. Hannah and Sarah Anne in the French Christian elementary school on campus, while the three older kids, who are in high school, are being homeschooled by RoseAnne. Lloyd has already left the nest and is a freshman at Pensacola Christian College this fall. Pray for Lloyd as he struggles to balance working off campus with a full load of classes. Pray also that Lloyd will learn to trust the Lord to provide financially. He has seen the Lord move mountains and miraculously provide for his parents, now it has to become a personal faith in the almighty God.
(2014-09) Radio Station
We praise the Lord for his provision and direction. We have felt led of the Lord to start a radio station, but we had not been able to find staff with the knowledge and spiritual character to outfit the ministry. Since we have come back from furlough, it is as if the Lord was just waiting with his perfect timing. We had a church take us on for support while we were on furlough which will cover a large portion of the day to day running expenses for this ministry. The Lord has also provided some quality evangelical French music for the radio station, as well as a several Haitian men and women who will form a core staff to run the radio station. Pray with us as we have begun to purchase equipment, hire staff, and begin programming.
We praise the Lord for his provision and direction. We have felt led of the Lord to start a radio station, but we had not been able to find staff with the knowledge and spiritual character to outfit the ministry. Since we have come back from furlough, it is as if the Lord was just waiting with his perfect timing. We had a church take us on for support while we were on furlough which will cover a large portion of the day to day running expenses for this ministry. The Lord has also provided some quality evangelical French music for the radio station, as well as a several Haitian men and women who will form a core staff to run the radio station. Pray with us as we have begun to purchase equipment, hire staff, and begin programming.
(2014-08) Home Is Where The Heart Is!
Furlough is over and we are back in Haiti. It feels great to be home! It has been amazing to see how God worked out so many details of our year stateside. We serve a personal God who
takes care of all our needs. The churches we visited took such good care of us. We thank you all from the bottom of our hearts. Most of the time we felt like wanderers who were taken in as strangers and then sent off as family. May God bless and repay you for the love and kindness you showed us. We travelled over 24,000 miles this past year and even though our "orange beast" (truck) had many ailments the Lord was faithful to get us to every meeting.
Furlough is over and we are back in Haiti. It feels great to be home! It has been amazing to see how God worked out so many details of our year stateside. We serve a personal God who
takes care of all our needs. The churches we visited took such good care of us. We thank you all from the bottom of our hearts. Most of the time we felt like wanderers who were taken in as strangers and then sent off as family. May God bless and repay you for the love and kindness you showed us. We travelled over 24,000 miles this past year and even though our "orange beast" (truck) had many ailments the Lord was faithful to get us to every meeting.
(2014-08) Over 200 Attend Teen Camp 2014
This is our third summer teen camp, The teen Camp was sponsored by Dave and Carol Jean Annand and the special guests for the week were Pastor Erick and his wife of Daniels Road Baptist Church, Fort Myers, Florida. The
theme for camp this year was how to be a godly example. Some of the weekly highlights were the soccer matches, crafts and games, We also had horse meat, a highest hair contest, and a capture the greased pig race.
Dr. Anne came to the rescue for two incidents. We had one teen boy who was playing soccer and had heat stroke. We also had a teenage girl that used a face powder for the first time and had a severe reaction. Dr. Anne had to give her several shots of epinephrine to bring down the swelling and allow her to breath easier . We are thankful that the Lord had her here during these life threatening moments.
We are thankful for all those who had a part in making this years teen camp a success. If you are interested in helping with a teen camp in the future, please contact Dave Annand at [email protected]. The theme for camp this year was how to be a godly example. Some of the weekly highlights were the soccer matches, crafts and games, We also had horse meat, a highest hair contest, and a capture the greased pig race.
This is our third summer teen camp, The teen Camp was sponsored by Dave and Carol Jean Annand and the special guests for the week were Pastor Erick and his wife of Daniels Road Baptist Church, Fort Myers, Florida. The
theme for camp this year was how to be a godly example. Some of the weekly highlights were the soccer matches, crafts and games, We also had horse meat, a highest hair contest, and a capture the greased pig race.
Dr. Anne came to the rescue for two incidents. We had one teen boy who was playing soccer and had heat stroke. We also had a teenage girl that used a face powder for the first time and had a severe reaction. Dr. Anne had to give her several shots of epinephrine to bring down the swelling and allow her to breath easier . We are thankful that the Lord had her here during these life threatening moments.
We are thankful for all those who had a part in making this years teen camp a success. If you are interested in helping with a teen camp in the future, please contact Dave Annand at [email protected]. The theme for camp this year was how to be a godly example. Some of the weekly highlights were the soccer matches, crafts and games, We also had horse meat, a highest hair contest, and a capture the greased pig race.
(2014-08) Over 80 saved at The New Church in Leogane.
Pastor Roland Paul and his new wife came to visit us shortly after we came back on furlough. They were discouraged and feeling alone in the work they were doing in Leogane. They spent only three days here, but while they were here they went out on Evangelism and also went to some revival services that were being held by Roland’s friends (our Maranatha Graduates). While Roland was here he and his wife, were invigorated for the work of the Lord and went home and planned a two week revival service. During the revival in Leogane there were over eighty people saved! We sent Pastor Eliphene to Leogane to help Roland counsel the new converts. What a blessing. Please pray for this young pastor and his wife. Leogane is the voodoo capital of Haiti and a very difficult place to work.
Pastor Roland Paul and his new wife came to visit us shortly after we came back on furlough. They were discouraged and feeling alone in the work they were doing in Leogane. They spent only three days here, but while they were here they went out on Evangelism and also went to some revival services that were being held by Roland’s friends (our Maranatha Graduates). While Roland was here he and his wife, were invigorated for the work of the Lord and went home and planned a two week revival service. During the revival in Leogane there were over eighty people saved! We sent Pastor Eliphene to Leogane to help Roland counsel the new converts. What a blessing. Please pray for this young pastor and his wife. Leogane is the voodoo capital of Haiti and a very difficult place to work.
(2014-08) Pray for our continued legal problems with our land
When we arrived in Haiti we received some very disturbing news that a lawsuit had been served on us in our absence. We immediately hired a Christian lawyer who jumped in and helped to avert a disaster. Haiti is well known for it’s corruption, so we are apprehensive about the outcome. We are not sure what the Lord has in store for His Campus here, which hosts 4 missionary families, 5 schools, a church and clinic. There is still a chance that the judge could throw the whole thing out of court because of problems with paperwork. Please pray for us that the Lord will show his mighty hand in the outcome of this legal battle. We are also asking for everyone to keep praying that we get the right paperwork that we will need and that God will give us and our lawyer wisdom in dealing with any tactics that will arise.
When we arrived in Haiti we received some very disturbing news that a lawsuit had been served on us in our absence. We immediately hired a Christian lawyer who jumped in and helped to avert a disaster. Haiti is well known for it’s corruption, so we are apprehensive about the outcome. We are not sure what the Lord has in store for His Campus here, which hosts 4 missionary families, 5 schools, a church and clinic. There is still a chance that the judge could throw the whole thing out of court because of problems with paperwork. Please pray for us that the Lord will show his mighty hand in the outcome of this legal battle. We are also asking for everyone to keep praying that we get the right paperwork that we will need and that God will give us and our lawyer wisdom in dealing with any tactics that will arise.
MTT team at Mathador church
(2014-01) Bible Seminar with 95 young people in attendance !
We started off our new year in Haiti with a week long Bible seminar on faithfulness. During that first week of January we had 95 young people participate, eager to study God’s Word. It is exciting to see such a large group of young people so eager to study the Bible and willing to give up a week of vacation to do so. We were in Haiti from Dec 18th -Jan. 12th, and were able to organize revival services in 6 different churches as well as Vacation Bible School programs in 5 churches.
The MTT (Make a Timothy Today) team from Greenville, SC came and helped with many of the Christmas programs, using puppet shows, handbell choirs, special music, testimonies, chalk drawings and preaching to touch the lives of the Haitian people. There were 78 children that made decisions to accept Christ as a result of these VBS programs alone.
We started off our new year in Haiti with a week long Bible seminar on faithfulness. During that first week of January we had 95 young people participate, eager to study God’s Word. It is exciting to see such a large group of young people so eager to study the Bible and willing to give up a week of vacation to do so. We were in Haiti from Dec 18th -Jan. 12th, and were able to organize revival services in 6 different churches as well as Vacation Bible School programs in 5 churches.
The MTT (Make a Timothy Today) team from Greenville, SC came and helped with many of the Christmas programs, using puppet shows, handbell choirs, special music, testimonies, chalk drawings and preaching to touch the lives of the Haitian people. There were 78 children that made decisions to accept Christ as a result of these VBS programs alone.
(2014-01) Violence and Political Instability
Several months ago, a local group of bandits stole some military grade weapons from a group of UN soldiers that had gotten their vehicle stuck in the river. The bandits, armed with the UN weapons, took over the local police station for a week. After repeated battles they lost control of the police station, moved out of St Raphael, and stationed themselves right outside our campus. They openly carry their new found weapons and robbed a vehicle right outside our wall. A passenger, when confronted by one of the thieves, threw his bag with money in it over our fence to keep it from being stolen by the bandits. At Christmastime, during the second night of our revival services, our song leader was assaulted and his fiancé raped as they were returning home after the service. Because of the escalating violence, our visiting team took special precautions. We even hired the local police to escort us several evenings as we returned home from revival services in various churches. Two days after the MTT team made it back to the States safely, riots broke out in the north and roads were cut (with pickaxes). In order to catch my plane, I had to leave a day early and walk for over two miles through burning tires, burnt motorcycles, cut roads, and gangs with machetes and chains, carrying my suitcase on my head. But, the Lord is good, I made it through alive.
Several months ago, a local group of bandits stole some military grade weapons from a group of UN soldiers that had gotten their vehicle stuck in the river. The bandits, armed with the UN weapons, took over the local police station for a week. After repeated battles they lost control of the police station, moved out of St Raphael, and stationed themselves right outside our campus. They openly carry their new found weapons and robbed a vehicle right outside our wall. A passenger, when confronted by one of the thieves, threw his bag with money in it over our fence to keep it from being stolen by the bandits. At Christmastime, during the second night of our revival services, our song leader was assaulted and his fiancé raped as they were returning home after the service. Because of the escalating violence, our visiting team took special precautions. We even hired the local police to escort us several evenings as we returned home from revival services in various churches. Two days after the MTT team made it back to the States safely, riots broke out in the north and roads were cut (with pickaxes). In order to catch my plane, I had to leave a day early and walk for over two miles through burning tires, burnt motorcycles, cut roads, and gangs with machetes and chains, carrying my suitcase on my head. But, the Lord is good, I made it through alive.
(2014-01) White Wintery Furlough Travels
This year has been a record breaking year for snowfall and bad weather in the US. It has been difficult for us coming from tropical Haiti and spending a year in the States on furlough. We are re-learning to drive on the snow and ice and to deal with poor driving conditions. I don’t think we even need to say how our hearts long for the warm weather in Haiti. The word “furlough” means “leave of absence”, which describes what we are doing this year. Some misconstrue what furlough is to missionaries, and think of it as a time of rest or vacation. But furlough is far from that. Because our supporting churches are scattered all over the US and Canada, we will have been in 36 different states and provinces before we finish out our year of furlough. Our “leave of absence” requires that we are constantly on the road travelling. Furlough is a necessary time of accountability and encouragement for us and those that support our ministry. We are thankful for the opportunity to report back on the growth of the ministry, so that our prayer partners can be encouraged when they see the number of souls saved and lives touched by what God is doing in Haiti. Reflecting back on what has been accomplished during the last 4 and ½ years, it’s exciting to recount the construction of 4 churches, 3 parsonages, and an elementary school. There are now 35 students in the Saturday Bible correspondence classes. The seminary has 9 students in the full time 4yr program. It’s also exciting to see the growth of the Ladies Vocational School that has students in all three grade levels of it’s curriculum. Since our last furlough, our missionary team has expanded as well. Pastor Harry Peart and his family have been involved with the campus ministry in Haiti since 2006. Dr. Anne Livingston joined us in 2009 and has her medical clinic on campus. Brother Keith Baker and his family also joined us in 2012 and are helping in various ministries, including the seminary on campus. While furlough is a necessary leave of absence, it’s also a time of difficult separation for us, a time away from what is most dear to our hearts and from what God has called us to do. We are looking forward to returning home to Haiti this summer.
This year has been a record breaking year for snowfall and bad weather in the US. It has been difficult for us coming from tropical Haiti and spending a year in the States on furlough. We are re-learning to drive on the snow and ice and to deal with poor driving conditions. I don’t think we even need to say how our hearts long for the warm weather in Haiti. The word “furlough” means “leave of absence”, which describes what we are doing this year. Some misconstrue what furlough is to missionaries, and think of it as a time of rest or vacation. But furlough is far from that. Because our supporting churches are scattered all over the US and Canada, we will have been in 36 different states and provinces before we finish out our year of furlough. Our “leave of absence” requires that we are constantly on the road travelling. Furlough is a necessary time of accountability and encouragement for us and those that support our ministry. We are thankful for the opportunity to report back on the growth of the ministry, so that our prayer partners can be encouraged when they see the number of souls saved and lives touched by what God is doing in Haiti. Reflecting back on what has been accomplished during the last 4 and ½ years, it’s exciting to recount the construction of 4 churches, 3 parsonages, and an elementary school. There are now 35 students in the Saturday Bible correspondence classes. The seminary has 9 students in the full time 4yr program. It’s also exciting to see the growth of the Ladies Vocational School that has students in all three grade levels of it’s curriculum. Since our last furlough, our missionary team has expanded as well. Pastor Harry Peart and his family have been involved with the campus ministry in Haiti since 2006. Dr. Anne Livingston joined us in 2009 and has her medical clinic on campus. Brother Keith Baker and his family also joined us in 2012 and are helping in various ministries, including the seminary on campus. While furlough is a necessary leave of absence, it’s also a time of difficult separation for us, a time away from what is most dear to our hearts and from what God has called us to do. We are looking forward to returning home to Haiti this summer.