Office Subject: FW: Educatrion GVCM School Vision Update EDUCATION FOR ALL This title is significant in describing our aggressive agenda to transform communities for the kingdom in Haiti. As we continue to work in the rural areas of Haiti, where voodoo seems to be strongly practiced, we notice that the perpetuation of its practices is strongly tied to illiteracy, causing a hindrance to the people s ability to read the Bible. Kids grow up, having no hope for the future, and adults are locked into a system over which they have no capacity to influence change for their own benefit. Recently, we were blessed with the purchase of a piece of property from a middle-age man here in Mirebalais, and as part of the legal process we had to go to a notary to certify the purchase before it could get recorded by the government s clerk. But the man kept procrastinating, as if he were hiding something. Finally, upon our insistence, he decided to go. I noticed that when it came for his turn to sign, he was hesitant and shaking with shame, and could barely make a plus sign where he had to place his signature. I realized then, that the reason he did not want to go was because he wanted to avoid this shameful episode in his life, where his illiteracy would be exposed publically. I felt stricken to the core of my being that even this simple enjoyment of freedom that I have been taking for gra nted, many do not have. I went back feeling small, full of shame, and desperate; but determined to try something, even if it only changed the status quo for just one person. I immediately engaged a discussion with our school superintendent, Liberal Marc Junior, to find out he was thinking about the same thing. We started brainstorming and looking for possibilities to incorporate adult education as part of our agenda for education in Haiti. We took the matter to the Haitian government, and they agreed to support this effort to the extent that they might supply most of the teaching materials for this specific program. Please praise the Lord with us for opening this window of opportunity for our people. Please meet our school superintendent Marc Junior Liberal Professor Marc Junior Liberal is a very smart and academically focused man who lost his house to the quake in PAP and was forced to join our community of IDPs in Fedja. He was quickly sorted out of the crowd and employed by GVCM as the superintendent of the schools. Marc Junior has the expertise we have been looking for to transform our academic vision for our schools into reality. The results are already speaking 1
volumes in the areas of discipline, administration, and performance. We are preparing young men and women who will adhere to the cause of the Lord, and of their country, out of their own volition. Please praise the Lord with us for Professor Liberal. Edward Everett said, Education is a better safeguard of liberty than a standing army. We want to thank many of you, who have been increasing the safeguard leverage for liberty in Haiti by sponsoring children to go to school and giving them the key that will unlock their productive mind in order to release them from the jail of feeling powerless to change their own destiny and the destiny of their country. Haiti is a hard country for missionary organizations to labor in, and I know the enemy would like to distract us by directing our focus on a few misunderstandings and injudicious news from Haiti so that we would not have time to focus on the many great things the Lord has done here. Did you know that your support has been part of the missionary efforts that have reduced il literacy in Haiti from 80% to 48% and decreased voodoo practices from 90% to about 55%. The number might even be smaller, because after the quake thousands of Haitians were converted to the Christian faith. Did you know that in 2010, just through the ministry of GVCM, the Holy Spirit has harvested 1,148 decisions to follow Christ, 598 baptisms, 72 couples married, and our small Bible College in Hinche, led by Pastor Claude Aneas Philemon, graduated 37 young men that are now trained to lead countryside churches? Did you know that in 2010 GVCM hosted more than 500 missionaries from America alone? We have not labored in vain! One person at a time, we are transforming Haiti. The echoes of your good deeds, as you equip us to break through the deepest animistic holes to bring the light of Jesus and release the captive, are endless. You have been the hands and feet of Jesus, and we want to continue to be your extensions, going where our duty takes us, taking care of the poor, assisting the widows and the orphans, and raising a generation that will stand up for the cause of the church. The result of your generous acts toward GVCM will continue to resound from the four corners of Haiti with shouts of, Halleluiah! We want to encourage you to keep supporting our efforts as we keep breaking the chain of servitude and ringing the freedom be ll in the hearts and minds of our countrymen. This summer was great for our kids. After a great teachers seminar taught by a group of experienced teachers from Texas, a summer camp that hosted 400 kids for two weeks with food subsidized by the World Food program, our kids were ready for school that finally started here a week ago. Here in Fedja, we spent the Saturday before opening school week fasting and praying with many of the school kids, teachers, and parents who cared to join us. The first week of school was dedicated to the Lord, as we call it, Hymnal to the Lord. Before the kids went to their respective classrooms, they spent about 30 minutes on the basketball court singing and praying with their teachers. God is planting fruit worthy of ete rnity into the hearts and minds of those who come in contact with our ministry here. We have also distributed school supplies and uniforms to our orphans and the children that are sponsored by many of you through our Childvision program. We've got school started for our kids 2
Great beginning for the kids, but for GVCM and it has been a hard start. Each year in the past we have had some money reserved that we would use to help some of the schools, as they usually have a lot of repairs and other miscellaneous expenses. After the quake, our responsibilities have increased tenfold, and we have not been able to create that traditional safety net to help any school this year, except the orphanage and our sponsored children to whom we distributed books and uniforms. Our schools are set up so that they add a class every year as the children graduate to the next level. It also means that we need to pay additional teachers every year, on the top of the need to increase the pay of the existing ones. Here again we welcome your help. The stress of those demands greatly speeds up our gray hair process. Reasons to praise the Lord in the life of our ministry The freedom and the privilege to preach the gospel to the lost in Haiti A lot of progress at the orphanage Completion of the Virtual classroom Completion of the Library funded by the Bolin family, Blanchard Church of Christ, and Luzern foundation. A few cosmetic touches remain to be done. Completion of the wall around the orphanage that creates a feeling of security for the children and our staff. The Bacheliers from Texas residing in Haiti to help with our sponsorship program, trip coordination, and other logistical responsibilities. Kevin Bolin from Texas residing in Haiti to manage our Radio Station. Tracy Bolin residing in Haiti to manage our Virtual Classroom, library, and a plan to teach English to young Haitians. IDES giving us a portion of the funds we need to start building homes for our employees and their relatives who have lost homes to the quake. The blessing of two more classrooms funded by the Tyson foundation and built off campus to accommodate the village children. A dump truck and well-drilling rig donated by the Hughes from Philomath, OR. Our shoe box drive, led by Christy Ausley from Oklahoma City. For our new Website team working hard to produce accurate online info for our supporters. Erin Robinson for spending over two months here teaching the kids English. And we praise God for all of you allowing us to touch lives as the Master would. 3
Our prayer requests for: David Davolt as he continues to lead the US board with wisdom and discernment. Our American missionary friends with their decision to come and labor in Haiti- that they will be productive and protected. For the Lord to increase our faith and to send supporters as our financial struggles and uncertainties keep growing. The Thompsons as they have gone back home to reassess their permanent stay in Haiti. For the Lord to bless GVCM with at least a couple of vehicles. We spend a lot of money renting vehicles to accommodate our missionaries with transportation. For the Lord to provide for the completion of the orphanage. For provision to repair the church building in Thomassique that is damaged from the quake, and presents a real danger for the children attending school and for the church holding worship services in it. That our individual supporters and churches will see new seasons of blessings as they continue to bless our ministry. For our friends in the process of adopting some of our kids that the Lord will give them the patience and endurance to wait and the finances to support the process. For a good academic year for our school children For our Haitian board meeting this week, and the US board meeting mid- November. For the engineers coming from Chicago to install the radio station for GVCM. For my two teenage boys, that they will be obedient to the call of service, and for my wife, Samathe, to fall under the grace of the Lord as she works so hard to perform for with her nursing program. Provision for the construction of the church, clinic and more classrooms. Fedja Immediate and urgent needs: Our 76 kids at the orphanage always need sandals and we cannot keep up with them. We would appreciate our short trips missionaries to bring some sandals for us if you can. Help to finish the deaf school and dormitory to avoid the children getting bite by so many mosquitos. 4
Need teams to come and build benches for the school children to replace the ones that are falling apart. We are having a hard time with our finances right and our level of stress is increasing. We would appreciate anything you could do beyond what you are already doing for us as an expression of your love. Our orphan children need your help. Please click here to donate online Global Vision Citadelle Ministries PO Box 75158 Wichita, KS 67275 Web: www.gvcm.org Email: info@gvcm.org Phone: (913) 422-5907 To eliminate future Email updates from GVCM, visit this link. To update your preferences, visit this link POWERED BY PHPLIST V 2.10.4, TINCAN LTD 5