Changing Locations

We are proud to announce the completion of a new website for Baptist Haiti Mission.

The website is composed of the history of BHM, how you can be involved, and the most up to date stories and events at BHM.  It is for this purpose that we would like to announce the closing of this blogspot location.

You can continue to follow BHM blogs and stay connected with the work in Haiti by: 

1. Following us on Facebook, simply "like" Baptist Haiti Mission.
2. Checking out our new website, http://www.bhm.org/.  You will find a list of previous blogs, as well as new ones posted, at the bottom of our homepage.

We look forward to staying connected with you!
-BHM Staff

Summer Time

Summer is officially in full swing here at BHM.  Although we may not be sitting by the poolside with a cold lemonade, we are enjoying every minute of the work the Lord is allowing us to be a part of.

After the January 2010 earthquake one of the missionary homes on the property experienced a great amount of interior damage.  The house needed to be gutted and rebuilt from the inside out.  This has been a large project that has been worked on by several volunteer teams, as well as people on the mission.  Now, more than 2 years later, the house is nearing completion.

BHM would like to send a special thanks to Dan Doerksen and Will Todd for taking two weeks of their summer to build cabinets for the house.  This was Dan’s fifth trip to Haiti serving with us, and Will’s second.  During their stay, Dan was able to reconnect with his sponsored child and family.  We look forward to posting completed house pictures in the future.



Dan and Will posing with Field Director Rob Baker and wife Patti after completing the cabinets.

  

It would hardly be summer without summer camp.  BHM's camp ministry is in full gear for the summer!  Crossings Ministries, partners of BHM's camp ministry, have just finished their third week of student camps in Haiti.  Students from the U.S. came and participated in construction projects on the camp property to prepare the grounds for Haitian students this summer.

Their afternoons were spent leading VBS and serving in the community.  There have been SEVERAL first time decisions to follow Christ due to these events.  The gospel message is penetrating throughout the communities of Haiti this summer.



Children at VBS playing BINGO as a way to review their Bible lesson from the day.


The churches of Haiti have a variety of programs and plans for students in the summer months.  Pray for the leaders of these churches as they seek to engage their communities with the gospel.  Pray for the many children and students who will be a part of these activities all summer long.  Pray for BHM as we desire to assist the churches during this active time.


Students eagerly anticipating a great afternoon of VBS.



A Dose of Some Good Medicine

The Association of Baptists for World Evangelism (ABWE), sent a team of 5 to do a medical clinic alongside BHM this past week.  The team members came from Wisconsin, California, and Pennsylvania.  Their skills varied from being a Physicians Assistant, to retired nurses, nursing students, and moms eager and ready to serve.  Throughout the course of 5 clinic days, the team was able to see 330 people.

Not only were the patient's physical needs met, but their spiritual needs were attended to as well.  The team welcomed 5 people into the family of the Lord this week!

The medical clinic was held in three different locations.  They hosted clinics for 2 days in 2 different locations, and 1 day in a third location.  The first clinic was hosted in a families home, the second in a church, and the third in a permanent medical clinic.

Churches spread the word about the clinic a week or two before it was actually hosted.  Through word of mouth, there was a crowd lined up each morning waiting for the clinic to begin.

Each patient was registered, and then sent to have their blood pressure taken.

Following this check, each person was asked certain questions pertaining to their history.  These questions were medical questions as well as spiritual questions.  It was at this point that the gospel we clearly presented to those who had never believed.  The information of the person who made first time decisions to follow Christ, will be given to the pastor in the area to follow up with each individual.

Adults and children were seen throughout the day. Some patients were simply fighting the common cold, while others were struggling with more; high blood pressure, arthritis, and other infections.

Throughout each clinic, children played with gifts given to them by the medical team.  The adults waited patiently to see the doctor.  We feel it is safe to say, people went home happy!

Thank you, Kurt, Abigail, Rebecca, Carol, and Laurie for your time and work here in Haiti.  We appreciate you and hope to serve together again!

Celebrating the Good Times

Celebrate:  To observe a day, or commemorate an event with ceremonies or festivities.

Two large CELEBRATIONS took place at BHM and in the country of Haiti this week.

First:  The country of Haiti celebrated Flag Day last Friday May 18.  Flag Day is a national holiday celebrated with great fanfare and festivities held throughout the country.

Schools were cancelled and businesses were closed as people celebrated all day long.  Children participated in parades, and friends and family gathered together on this special day.  The Haitian flag is one of the primary symbols of freedom for the country.  The flag is a symbol of pride, unity, and personal liberty in Haiti.  Flag Day was not the only day celebrations were taking place this past week.

Second:  First Presbyterian Church of Delray Beach, FL sent a team of 12 adults to work alongside BHM and build houses throughout the mountains of Haiti.  This fun-loving team worked extremely hard and built 3 houses!

The means of travel and the journey to each house was far from easy.  However, the reward of seeing a home finished for a precious family and knowing their lives are changed forever was worth every minute of labor.

The team from Delray Beach enjoyed interacting with the families of whom they were building the houses for as well as learning a lot about the country of Haiti.

"I was encouraged to hear the story of the family I was able to build a house for," said Patricia.  "They told me about the earthquake of 2010 and how they watched their house collapse yet, they were not injured at all.  It was refreshing to hear the stories of those who the Lord saved from this horrific event, and not just all the negative stories we hear from the news."

Wednesday afternoon the team gathered with the new homeowners and spent time thanking God for His faithfulness, and celebrating the completion of these new homes!


Thank you God, for a week of celebration!

"We're Talking Kingdom Impact..."

Receiving a graduation invitation in the mail may be a common occurance for many of you.  That small enveleope that begins to show its face in your home towards the end of a school year is a vivid reminder that a "Congratulations" is in order.  Would you believe us if we told you graduation invitations were sent out this year in Haiti as well?

Saturday, May 12, 2012, 48 students and more than 300 family members and friends gathered in Fermathe Church, to celebrate the graduating class of 2012.  Over the past 6 years Baptist Haiti Mission has been home to one of the only Master's of Education programs in the country of Haiti.  The program is fully accredited by Laurel University, in Highpoint North Carolina.

As BHM seeks to assist the church of Haiti by training and equipping leaders, we were honored to have the opportunity to host our first Master's graduation ceremony.  Professors, families, and friends watched as 48 students walked the aisle with their heads held high as they celebrated their graduation after countless hours of hard work and sacrifice.

Above, Pasteur Jean Claude Smith received his disploma from Dr. Larry McCullough, President of Laurel University.  Behind, Dr. Bob Brumley Dean of Education smiles at the accomplishments of the students.

"The graduation ceremony was a combination of a lot of hard work, vision, and dreams that BHM and the Christian leaders in Haiti have had for many years.  The Master's of Education program is completely grounded in a Biblical Worldview.  We know that this ceremony is only the beginning for the impact these graduates will have in the schools, churches, and communities of Haiti," said Dr. Brumley.

Saturday's graduation was not only for the students but for the families as well.  "The families have sacrificed time with their loved ones as they allowed them to spend time away in their studies.  The families deserved the graduation ceremony as well. It was a great reminder of what a huge impact their loved ones are making in Haiti, we're talking Kingdom Impact," Brumley said.

A reception was given in the conference center on the mission immediately following the graduation ceremony.  Smiles, hugs, and pictures were shared all around as the celebration carried on throughout the afternoon.

Several of the students expressed the fact that they felt completely overwhelmed throughout the ceremony.  The Lord's presence was truly evident as students were encouraged to reflect on His faithfulness in their lives over the years, and anticipate His plans for their future.

Some students are now making plans to work towards their Doctorate.  For others the ceremony marked the end of an academic journey.  Although the specific direction for each student will vary, those of us here at BHM and Laurel University are incredibly proud of the work that has taken place in the lives of these students over the past few years.  We would like to invite you to join as as we say...

Congratulations to the Haiti Graduating Class of Laurel University, 2012!

New Smiles

A week of change is in store for a lot of children this week in Haiti.

Smile Train, an organization that specializes in cleft lips and palate surgeries, arrived at BHM Friday afternoon for a week of surgeries for children throughout Haiti.

This unique organization, seeks to provide free cleft surgery to hundreds of thousands of poor children in developing countries.

BHM has hosted Smile Train in the past.  The average cost of the surgery is $250.  These costs are covered through donations and financial support that Smile Train receives.

Children who are born with a cleft struggle in a variety of ways, including eating and speaking.  Those who have a cleft live difficult lives of shame and isolation, though the surgery is relatively simple and offers life changing restorations.  Cleft surgery has been around for decades, but has not been available for those who live in poor countries.


Pray for the many children and families who will be at BHM this week.  Surgery can be a scary and uncertain time for children, as well as family members.  We are excited about the change that will take place for these precious children.

3 Houses in 1 Week!

Today was a day of celebration for 14 members from Highpoint Church in Thompson, Connecticut as they said their goodbye's and headed home.  Last Saturday afternoon this team composed of couples, families, and even in-laws landed in Haiti.  They came with a goal of building three houses for families who had lost their homes in the 2010 earthquake.  There mission was a success.

Josh George, pastor and leader of the Highpoint team, began his travels to Haiti while he was working for MFI (Missionary Flights International).  He loved his time working with MFI but he knew God was calling him to work on the ground with His people.  Since that time he has become an Associate Pastor and his love for the nations has overflowed into his congregation.

Highpoint church does two short-term trips a year.  Some of these trips have included Tanzania, Venezuela, and Kenya.  The trips typically consist of construction projects as the team engages the culture with the goal of making the name of Christ known.  As the team travels home today, we know that they will never forget the lessons they learned, and the stories they heard about how the gospel is impacting the people of Haiti.

One of the mothers from the work-site shared about how she came to know the Lord.  She said it was one year after the earthquake and there were some evangelists from a local church in the area.  She was intentionally keeping her distance.  Her child, however, was playing with a group of kids in the neighborhood.  After being asked for his mom, he immediately took the evangelists straight to her, she could hide no more.  She is so thankful for the encounter that completely changed her life.

Working alongside the Haitian translators, house builders, and families, the team members learned a great deal about the culture of Haiti.  Roger, a grandfather, said he was amazed when he saw the kids playing with a cut-up milk jug with lids attached to the bottle to make it into a car.

"I realized my grandchildren, and myself have a lot of 'wants' that are totally not necessary.  The people here are so happy and so content with what they have," said Roger.

Teenagers, Mitch and Jacob, were amazed by the work ethic of their Haitian brothers.  "We took at least 3 breaks during the day, the whole time the Haitians continued to work so hard.  It definitely challenged me to work harder," said Mitch.

"I am going home with a renewed perspective on how much I waste on a daily basis," said Mackenzie.  "I saw firsthand how important it is to conserve water, and take care of the things the Lord has given me."  

At the end of a very full week, the team members are excited to return home to family, friends, and a warm shower.  We are thankful for the work of Highpoint Church.  Several of the team members said they hoped to return to Haiti again. We eagerly wait to serve alongside them in the future.