We are in Bayonnais . . . finally . . . We prayed that we would learn from NOT BEING IN CONTROL and we have learned our lessons well. We landed in Port-au-Prince this morning only to discover our bags had a different plan. So, several hours and a flat tire on the bus later we made it. We left Miami in the dark and arrived in Bayonnais in the dark - a long day. But it was worth it . . . hearing the kids applaude as we rode into OFCB. We have already had some great conversations with many of the children (even though we don't know what they are saying back to us.) Actionnel and his dear friend Pere were life savers today. Yolanda fixed us a wonderful dinner and we are all well. Actionnel expressed his gratitude for all that everyone has done for the people of Bayonnais. It is exciting to see how the money that many of us have help send to OFCB is being used. We benefited first hand from the new freezer that the FBC Bible School children donated. Actionnel told us that this is the only freezer in Bayonnais - one freezer per 80,000 people - amazing.
So we are a good day and a half behind schedule, but real excited about getting started in the morning . . . working with OFCB's carpenter to build benches for the new classrooms, pass out Bibles to the children, and have fun building relationships with our new friends.
Thanks for your prayers. If you have been praying for our patience - well - they have definitely been answered. What a great team to be learning, growing, playing, and laughing with.
OFCB
For nearly two centuries, subsistence farming has characterized the livelihood of 80,000 people in rural Bayonnais, Haiti, the poorest country in the western hemisphere. This is not uncommon. Following colonial independence in 1804, former slaves exercised newfound freedom by cultivating their own land in the countryside. Today, OFCB (Organization of the Christian Force of Bayonnais), a ministry founded in 1993 through the vision of five inspired individuals, provides this generation with a new opportunity: education. Subjects such as history, biology, language arts, social science, philosophy, and visual art are now available to this community for the first time. Adults and children comprise a student body that has grown from 103 to 1460, and for many, the rice and beans served at lunch may be the only substantial meal they eat all day. Not only have national exam scores been some of the highest in the region, OFCB has sent 20 students to Haitian colleges! In an effort to stimulate long-term development, the college scholarship program stipulates that each student return to OFCB upon graduation to serve the community for 10 to 15 years, depending upon the field of study. One college graduate has become a doctor, currently in residency, and will return to start Bayonnais’ first health clinic! Deep in the heart of a country plagued by extreme poverty, political violence and corruption, the people of Bayonnais are finding new hope.
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1 comment:
Wow, they are beautiful people Chris. I can't wait to see more photos. Thank you for keeping us in the loop.
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