Huntersville 2 Haiti: Not quite the guest house

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.

Wednesday, December 5, 2007

Not quite the guest house

We've had quite an adventure so far...

The flight out of Charlotte this morning was cancelled and we were placed on the afternoon flight to Miami. We are staying in a hotel in Miami tonight and we'll fly out tomorrow morning at 7:00 am, arriving in Port-au-Prince around 9:00 am. We are all in good spirits and we are really getting to know each other well.

As for activities, the team will be playing an extreme version of Pente this evening. We'll keep you posted on the outcome. Team "Ron and Mark" is very strong, but team "The Scotts" is catching on quick and word on the street has it they will master the elements and provide a formidable challenge.

Thank you so much for your prayers. Continue to pray that our trip is successful tomorrow and that all of our luggage arrives with us in PAP.

We are all really excited about our opportunity and are filled with anticipation for tomorrow's trip to Bayonnais.