Hungry for the Word in Haiti

Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost: Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world.

Matthew 28:19-20

Greetings!

Haiti, one of the poorest countries in the world, suffered a devastating earthquake in 2010 from which the country is still struggling to recover. There remain great needs for humanitarian aid, but all such would be in vain if the spiritual needs are ignored.

Lifeline - A Long Time Association

Haiti Lifeline Orphanage Children

Since Apostolic Christian World Relief provides humanitarian aid in Haiti, volunteer labor affords many opportunities in several locations. One such opportunity is Lifeline, which began as an effort by brethren from the Fairbury and Forrest congregations to support an orphanage in Croix-des-Bouquet, Haiti.

Over the years, opportunities grew, and now Lifeline supports multiple projects such as schools, medical clinics, feeding programs and building homes for the disadvantaged in Haiti as well as in the Dominican Republic.

Lifeline School

Lifeline Medical Clinic

Lifeline Feeding Program

Lifeline works closely with the Bethel Church of God in Haiti, which was founded in 1963 under the leadership of Pastor Esaie Dieudonne, who many years ago became acquainted

Building project in Dumay

with Apostolic Christian Church brethren.

The Bethel Church now has over 125 congregations. Many of the Lifeline projects are located near the rural village of Dumay.

Need for Spiritual Teaching

Participants of seminar in Dumay

Recognizing a need for strong spiritual leadership, the Bethel Church has expressed a keen interest in and appreciation for the doctrine and practices of the Apostolic Christian church over the years. They are eager to better understand the Bible and requested the Apostolic Christian Mission Committee send ministers to conduct a two-day seminar in Dumay.

Participants were pastors of churches

The request was to share our understanding and practice of specific topics, such as unconditional eternal security, Christianity vs. cults, the Holy Spirit, and working together as a Church body. This request was approved and carried out in early February.

Meals were provided

The main language of the participants was Creole, and all the presentations and questions were conducted through translators. Participants were pastors of many of the 125 Bethel churches scattered throughout the mountains and plains of Haiti. One afternoon was open for questions the pastors had for the brothers from our church.

Efforts to Grow in the Word

Haitian Tap-Tap

Travel is difficult in Haiti. The Mission Committee helped provide assistance for travel and food for the Haitian participants. They traveled mostly by foot, bus and tap-taps. Tap-taps are the Haitian taxis. Many are small pickups that carry as many as 15 or more passengers packed in a partially enclosed back and standing on the bumper.

The roads are rough and full of potholes, making traveling slow, especially on the rural roads. In the city or villages congestion makes it even more of a challenge. One pastor walked five hours to get a tap-tap, and then rode in one of these packed and crowded vehicles seven more hours to get to the seminar.

Haiti Lifeline

A pastor attending from a very poor part of Port-Au-Prince has lost his church building and his home in the earthquake. He lives in a tent on the property of a friend.

Haiti Lifeline

Those who attended ranged in age from the twenties to seventies, and their congregations numbered from very small to around two hundred. One pastor related that he has responsibility over nineteen congregations. Though the country is destitute, Satan is there also. When asked what are the greatest temptations, one pastor mentioned the lust of the eye, the lust of the flesh and the pride of life. Satan spares no group of believers. This pastor's goal in life is to try to get an education and help the poor where he can.

How You Can Help

Your prayers and your involvement is the primary way you can help with the efforts at Lifeline. Click here for more information about the opportunities at Haiti Lifeline.

If you desire to support the work in Lifeline financially, there are three ways to contribute:

1. Your Local Church

Through your local World Relief representative.

2. Mail - Send your donation to:

Apostolic Christian World Relief

Haiti Lifeline

16448 S US Hwy 231

Remington, IN 47977

Checks should be made payable to:

Apostolic Christian World Relief - Haiti Lifeline

3. Donate Online

Click here to make a secure credit card donation.

Specify: Haiti - Lifeline

If we receive more funds than are needed for the Haiti Lifeline, we will use the extra funds for additional needs in Haiti.

The Mission Committee is thankful for the opportunity to share God's Word and teachings. We pray other faithful servants can be strengthened by these efforts to draw closer to the living God and to carry out the Great Commission. The Mission Committee solicits your prayers and appreciates your generous financial help as we seek to fulfill His will. More information can be found at the Mission Committee website.

Sincerely,

Wayne Banwart, Chairman

Apostolic Christian Mission Committee