Dear friends,
Let me give you a quick report on our recent missions project in Haiti, March 18-28, 2005. Our team of seven (Mike, Melinda and Dan Bogart, our daughter Andrea Cole, Patrick Mitchell, Glenda Farrer, Carl Camp) arrived in Port au Prince on Saturday. The weather throughout our time there was hot and humid.
It was startling, and yet reassuring, to see U.N. troops in full battle gear in various places throughout the country during our time there. Upon arrival, the team met our missionary hosts, Robert and Jean Vilmenay of Mission to the Americas, and prepared for the week.
Monday through Wednesday the team worked at the Center for Integrated Development (in Delmas) featuring various training sessions, designed to equip Haitians to do ministry more effectively. All of this had to be translated into French and Kreyol. The rest of the time we spent visiting local pastors and assisting the full time missionaries. So, what did we accomplish?
We brought much-needed items for Haitian leaders to use in ministry (two full computer / printer sets, medical supplies, used eye-glasses, which the people appreciated very much).
We brought greetings and encouragement to three Haitian congregations (Victoire, Amitie, Cabaret).
We encouraged pastors to continue the ministry under difficult circumstances.
We trained 30-40 Haitian church leaders in various practical issues.
The use of the Wordless Book materials for children.
A missions seminar aimed at mobilizing Haitians to go where others cannot.
We addressed various issues related to women in ministry.
We taught the use of computers in music ministry.
We instructed leaders in the use of various types of games as a ministry tool.
We trained and exposed Americans to cross-cultural ministry.
We encouraged and supplied the missionaries.
We brought the Body of Christ together a bit more.
It was touching that many of the Haitian leaders we had known from our trip in 2003 were so appreciative that we had returned. It means a lot to them because their impression is that few people want to come to Haiti at all, let alone return—and you helped make that happen. Thanks for your prayers and support. Be encouraged!
Mike and Melinda Bogart
