Huntersville 2 Haiti: Sunday Morning

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.

Sunday, December 7, 2008

Sunday Morning

Here we are on Sunday morning in Bayonnais. Worship has just ended. Mark brought a word of greeting, scripture, and testimony. He even gave some of his message in Creole. G-o-o-o-d J-o-b, Mark! Actionnel then spoke powerfully about slavery and our freedom with in God through Christ. Slavery is very much a significant part of the history of the Haitian people. Actionnel referenced an article that appeared not too long ago that mentioned how easy it is today to purchase Haitian children as slaves. He commented on the spiritual slavery that is still alive in us today, and also how some, even in Bayonnais, enslave others - ex. when relatives die (which happens a lot), the families that take in their children will sometimes treat them much more poorly than their own - like slaves. Reminding us of our freedom in Christ, the service closed with the celebration of the Lord's Supper.

We are getting ready to eat - and then off on our long journey back to Port au Prince. We will spend the night in the city before flying out tomorrow morning.

Thank you for your prayers.