Professional Documents
Culture Documents
"7ke. voice,
one. cAjyJjig in the.
- make,
^tAn^yM the. bxu/ 0^ the. LoajcL," J.ohn 1:23
Dear ?!r1,end.s.
February
It is
good fooa and education. (40 children needing sponsors!) Sunday services
i.yn Graves. Lyn was in the first Teen ^'iissions team that came to Christian-
vi.le shortly after we arrived in Haiti. As a teenager he- lost his heart
to the work and to the people. Now preparing for his Doctorate in Outometry
The children are excited and continually ask the kind of classes we are
planning. Please pray with us for this great need. Funds are coming in
nicely but we still have a ways to go and wa have only 6 months left for a
September opening.
iiow grateful wa are for your help! Many of you have "given 'till it hurts"
and the care of our children is your reward. Speaking of rewards, just you
watch those senior teens who are due to graduate in June. They are truly
beautiful young people with outstanding leadership qualities. Twelve of
our boys are already in training for Christian service. Thank you for
holaing their hands and ours.
With.love to all,^
Xiz and Carol Herget
' i^yi
CHILDREN!
In the last
Vacation Bible School last summer numbered 600 children and this teaching
program is in addition to weekly Sunday School, children's church, daily
chapel for the entire school, and special teaching retreats for our
teen kids.
Saturdays are spent in 4H groups doing agriculture, crafts for the craft
shop, tailoring, and sewing.
Look yonder across the soccer field..that huge building is our new school
in the making. Hopefully by October it will begin filling up with
children who are still desperately in need of help.
Our great hope is in our teenagers. Many of them already Christians,
have joined our leadership classes for full time Christian service. Two
of the oldest boys in the school have just become Junior Deacons and after
a year of training may ask for the office of Deacon. Several are already
Sunday School teachers. Our senior teen-class on Sunday mornings numbers
170 average attemdamce.
Christianville Foundation was established in 1978 and has 3 churches and
Evangel
HAITI
Vol.33
tf
I
YOUR CHILDREN AND OURS
history of Christianville. Yesterday they were little kids playing with sticks
and stones, smiling in spite of the lack of hope for good education,
sufficient nutrition and general well being. You have helped us to bring
them through their early childhood and to emerge today into this fine
group of older teens ready to enter their twenties. We are proud of them
and you can be, too. Yes, for they are yours and ours ... without you the
life-changing miracle could not have happened.
nm i
A class
butchering
want agronomy and others want leadership in various areas. You see our
first graduating class on the front cover of this issue. 35 in all. And they
all passed the exams for entrance to high school. After the excitement of
graduation was over a deep sadness settled on their outlook when they
realized there was no possibility of their being able to cope with the
expenses involved with high school. God saw ... the Scripture says, "His
eyes go to and fro across the earth". And so He stepped in between you
and us and caused another great link - a link uniting our hearts and
making provision for the funds to send 27 of them on to high school.
(Some moved away - some parents assumed the responsibility)
We are not finished with them yet... we continue to make plans
for their future and for the future of those who follow in their footsteps.
Yes. another month of June is coming and there will be more.
Thus, our plans for the new school. We need your prayers, your
love and understanding of our need. It is a great investment in life. Stand
by us and you willsee!
ANOTHER BUILDING
First came the structure and it was finished and we said, "well done." It is
buitt for the future - spacious, well ventilated, strong and we spared not
beauty.
Then came the walls: native stone from nearby river beds that needs no
paint in future years. And it looks lovely in our tropical setting, yet without
more expense. Block walls require steel and plastering so we used them
only for inside areas where stone takes too much room. Classrooms,
library and music room make nine in all and there is the kitchen designed
for daily meal preparation and for a cooking classroom. The largest room
is our lovely dining hall or assembly room. It will seat 400. We often
imagine joyfully the voices of many children in our beautiful building.
.ANOTHER
MIRACLE
Then came the painting. At the same time windows were going in, we
were blessed by the volunteer work of Nick Johnson from Dry Run
Christian Church, Ohio. Nick wired the building and in a second trip hung
the lights, put in all of the
'
purchase
to
take
the
overflow from the old school
out
from
our
overcrowded situation.
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LEARNING RE'
Our
graduates
are busy
people. We
are teaching
them the
responsibility
of work and
they are
now
required to
do 50 hours
of work each
school term
to assist with
their
expenses.
On their
own time
they assist
with our
evangelism
program
taking the
Gospel to
the
mountain
places
where cars
cannot go.
Some of the
boys are
"budding
preachers"
and are
SPONSIBILITY
doing well.
There is
always a
spirit of
cheerfulness
about them
no matter
On
Saturdays
they take
turns
cleaning
the Chapel
learning
that no work
proud of
them and
that
"parental"
pride in
our kids
gives us
encourage
ment
through
the hard
places and
difficulties
of life in
Haiti.
We press
on joyfully!
and gave
Ernie Aberle and Lou Gerard were a keen help at school opening. These
twin "girls" and their husbands who come each year are twin blessings.
We are thankful for all of our visiting wori<ers who have come in recent
months in spite of political turmoil. God has blessed the faith of these
faithful and the woik of their hands.
Hamilton, IL. came the last week in November and taught a class in
veterinary techniques to our graduates and workers. Itwas a richweek.
Cliff Kelly came with him to overhaul all of our vehicles - a great worker.
Others came to help from Puerto Rico, Dr. and Mrs Douglas Nelson and
Ethel Miller ... and still others. We need another page to tell you the
whole story. You see, whoever comes can find ample space to express
almost any talent they have. We welcome you!
number of chickens as
well as to introduce
quail as a source of
protein forthe needy.
.1
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J
MANY HEARTS
The farm program is advancing with Paul's help. His next project Is the
fencing of an agricultural area using shade screening for better vegetable
production. Poor nutrition is still a constant problem and our nutrition
center for mal-nourished babies continues in daily operation with
approximately 400 children enrolled. For two years now "Share The
Harvest" organization has kept our food storage well stocked with beans
and Food For The Poorhas regularly contributed other items such as
canned meats and vegetables. This is one of the many enjoyable parts of
our missionary efforts... feeding the needy.
The joy is yours, too... we are your servants and we thank you for your
support and love.
It's
shoe
time
and
Christianville
when
school reopens. It is a
long hike but they know
that
good
egg
sandwiches
and
cool
cows
and
ducks
babies.
Then
are
bananas,
rice,
CHRISTIANVILLE
JUNIOR -fllBrREinK
school
closed.
Classes
in
Managing Directors
Agriculture
* Paul & Rachel Ronk
Stuart Kelly
Christian education
Jerome Prinston
Nurse
*Sandy DeVinney
Attorney
Dentist
Accountant
Francis Hiiaire
Orthodontist
Dr. David Leever
Dental Ass. Youth Minister
David Marcelin
Superinlendant of Schools
Robinson Joseph
i
Full Time foreign missionnaries
PROMOTION
Funds to Christianville
FL 32859-0391
Ft Lauderdale, FL 33340
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"THE EFFECTUAL FERVANT PRAYER OF A RIGHTEOUS MAN AVAILETH MUCH" James 5:10
Dear Friends,
July 1987
Our letter to you this month is a request for prayer as well as a report
on our progress.
are with us sewing and a class of big boys is having a lesson on raising
pigs. This week we are forced to stay around home because of political
strife but somehow we manage to keep rolling and hoping for better times
to come.
Our new school building looks beautiful. Nick Johnson from Dry Run
Church of Christ in Ohio spent a month with us wiring the building.
Let us thank God for this volunteer and for his church family who paid
his expenses and paid for the wire and materials he used.
Be thankful with us for the gifts coming in for desks, lights, stoves, ^ r
doors and windows. Oh, it is so encouraging to see how you care!
Our new recruits are Paul and Rachel Ronk and baby daughter. Paul will
be our Farm Manager.
out for another great summer's work in leadership training and evangelism.
He left a little early because he is to be married to Paulette on August
first, a lovely Haitian girl he met in New York City during an evangelism
tour.
For one
thing it was sad to have to cancel our VBS. Our young children have been
confined at home. The country is at a standstill but hopefully this will
break soon.
the work of the Lord in Haiti will go on to God's glory. We are safe.
There is little violence and this is confined to the heart of the city.
Be thankful with us for our work team from E. 91st St. Church in Indian
apolis, our volunteer student Doctors from Canada, our Dentists from
Florida and many others who have helped in the work recently.
Thank you for your prayers and gifts. Our expenses are high and will be for
the next few months until we get our new building finished. We appreciate
each and every one of you who has made a special effort to help. May the
Lord bless you.
CHRISTIANVILLE
NEWS
September
1987
Dear Friends,
We have registered 40 new students in the Mt. School and 54 here in Christianville.
This is another step of faith for we need to increase our staff by two
Average church attendance has increased at the Mt. Church; baptisms have increased
at Christi^fiville; a new church has been started.
Paul and Rachel Ronk have set their departure date from their homeland October
10th, to join us in the work here.
Sandy taught the way of salvation to a paralytic she has been helping and he was
baptized last week.
She touches many lives with the Gospel in word and deed.
Sam is managing the final work on the new school building, ( a huge job) since we
have finished with our contractors.
And good news here, too...we expect to use two of the classrooms in the new school
in October while the men continue working!
OUR
NEEDS
Prayer for:
* Safety for your missionaries and their work.
we recognize our constant need of prayer for safety, wisdom and strength.
* Chair-desks for the new school. ($40.00 each)
* And pray for our teams of workers coming in September through December.
Praise the Lord for:
* For rock walls going up, windows going in and doors being hung in the school.
* And for the wonderful way God is meeting our needs through you.
investing in the lives of our beautiful children.
We are all
We press on, encouraged by your love and care, ever trusting in our Lord Jesus.
Your servants in Haiti,
oL.
Evangel
1
No.
VOL. 32
A Christian Quarterly
from the Caribbean
Lyn Graves was one of those eager teenagers. He worked side by side with his
fellow teammates and at the same time God was working in his life. God must
have been smiling because He knew that nine years later Lyn's love for Christianville would not have faded. Lyn is nearing the end of his University training in Optometry and has initiated the interest in the establishment of an Eye Team for the
mission he learned to love in his teen years. Above you see Lyn in the fulfillment
of his dreams and hopes, caring for a child in his need for eye care.
THE EVANGEL
BY CAR:
to us.
1 L
t
AN EYE CLINIC FOR CHRISTIANVILLE
Dr. Clifford Brooks, one of Lyn's Professors at the University of Indiana, offered
his Interest and backing In the project of establishing an Eye Clinic at Chrlstlanville and things began to happen. A team of Christian students was eager to be a
part of the effort and finally after a few months of coliecting equipment donated
to the cause, the team was ready to set a date and come. Their target date at first
was for much farther into 1987. But the Lord opened so many doors that it was
successfully held In iate January of this year.
Thousands of dollars in equipment was shipped In and many supplies were pack
ed into the baggage of the team. And what a beautiful team It was !
Or. Brooks demands the highest quality of service from his students a perfor
mance of excellence. Each morning they grouped together on the Dental Clinic
porch for prayer while the patients bowed together with them seeking God's
blessing.
Over 200 patients received treatment and examinations. Seventy were fitted for
beautiful new glasses that would be sent two months later, a gift from the efforts
of the team In Indiana. Lives were changed the people came with problems and
left with help and hope.
And throughout the week the message of the love of Jesus was taught through
ioving care. This is what Christianvilie is about - ever sowing seeds that will bring
hope and peace and salvation to our beloved people.
Thank you for caring with us. It is your work.
Services rendered by our Medical Outreach keep expanding. Along with the Eye
Team that establlshet themselves at Christianville was a one man team for the
care of hearing problems. Here you see Dr. David Geddes from Indianapolis who
came with his equipment to offer his professional care. We searched out the most
quiet spot here on our property and set up his audio-therapy room. It worked
wonders for children who were partly shut out of normal conversations for
children who were not hearing all that the teachers were telling them and
therefore had been labeled slow learners. Now they are fitted with hearing aids
and have gone their way rejoicing. David Geddes was rewarded, too. He left with a
heart glowing with satisfaction that he had been able to open a new life to
children with problems. Thank you David... we rejoice, too.
1"^ iM-rg
The climate in Haiti is summer-limeall of the time. But Inthe winter months far up
In the mountains the nights are cold and damp. Our Mountain School children
came down for the January party of uniform renewals, new shoes, clothing for
SundaySchool and church, picture-taking and a good food treat. Itwas a longhike
down from the- Mountain, some two and a half hours on foot. To their great joy,
there was a treat waiting for them, the likes of which they had never seen. There
was a beautiful brightly colored patchwork quilt for each child made by loving
hands of Kathryn White in Cape Coral, Florida. Oh, those children were filled with
joy. They had never known such luxury a warm quilt of their very own.
Sometimes we wonder if our Sponsors have any idea of how much it means to our
children to receive the loving care that comes their way. We are thankful for you
all with our thankful children.
WE NEED HELP I
Christianvilie is growing I We must have more help. There is a need for workers; a
mechanic, a school cook-supervisor, a craft teacher, a Trade School Manager, a
School Nurse, and a Secretary. These jobs could well be handled by couples.
Perhaps your children are grown nowand this would be an ideal time for you to
give a few yearsof your life to full timeservice. Or, mature singlesare welcome,
too. Think It over talk about it with your friends. And pray for our needs.
an eye ca
of
Fellowship
Optor
r>&
Is a reward involved-
9!
sight if the Doctors had not trea ted him in his em ergency.
Now the team is back in the U.S >.
Shortly after this picture of the Jean Jean church was taken the school benches
were moved in, (Sam had done a beautiful job making them) the grounds were
cleaned up and flower pots were placed on the side wails. It is a lovely combina
tion church-school building. Now every Sunday the building has nearly 100 in at
tendance and Sam has had to build a lot more benches for the overflow of people.
And there is still room to grow.
In the back of the building there are two rooms, one for the storage of school sup
plies and dishes for the children's lunch and the other side has room for the
teacher to sleep.
David Marcelin is the minister there and the boys from our leadership class enjoy
going with him on Sundays to help with the services. Services are held on Sunday
morning including Sunday School, Sunday evening, and a weekly Bible Study
hour. Now we have had a call from another area where the people are asking for us
to come and preach. It Is a subject of prayer and discussion for our ft^onday night
evangelistic teams' business meeting. Please remember our evangelism outreach
in your prayers.
younger students are now anxious to study music and our older ones are eager to
remain in the music program after graduation from school. The band usually plays
for church services two Sundays In each month. Their next goal is to produce a
band concert inviting the school parents. You would be proud to hear our band
play. Their music is lovely and they are eager students, if you have any instrument
that can be used and you want to put It to good use, send It to our Orlando ad
dress. We will be grateful.
Dorcelin our
It was a "party day" for the Jean Jean children. They had walked a long
way, almost six miles I And so on arrival at Christianville there were cool
drinks, egg sandwiches and some sweets. That was only the beginning.
Uniforms were given out, and oh, how those 40 children enjoyed being
fitted into those pretty bright red skirts for the girls and pants for the
boys. There were shoes to be fitted, too, and the pretty red oxfords fit
almost all of the girls. Shiny black leather shoes made the boys' hearts
glad.
By this time It was easy to see that the children were ready for lunch and
before you could realize it, the lunch bell rang. There was steaming rice,
vegetables and meat, and a sweet-treat as well. Do you remember the
rythme, "Little Tommy Tucker sang for his supper ?" Well, our children
sang for their lunch and we wish you could have heard that sweet music.
It was now time to hurry pictures had to be taken for Sponsors willing
to support our Jean Jean children. Their smiles would certainly win the
heart of a loving Sponsor I It was still another long long walk back home
so Sam hustled all of the smallest children into the truck and took them
as far toward home as he could. Everyone had a great day and though
tired little heads went to sleep that night, they were resting on their love
ly new school clothing and hugging them in their sleep.
JEAN
CLAUDE
At this tender age, Jean Claude would not realize how important his two front
teeth would be. Because of poor nutrition and lack of dental care he had lost
them. But In a very few years he would have learned that his chances of a good
futurewould be seriouslyhandicapped with that gapinghole infrontof his mouth.
Christianville Dental Clinic stepped in to make a world of difference for Jean
Claude. Now you can see his lovely new teeth and all because someone cared
about him. Someone sent a gift to help a little child through somedifficult years
of his life.
Jean Claude like many other children who have visited our Dental Clinic was buss
ed in from an orphanage with Northwest Christian Mission some seven hours
from Christianville. The mission bussed in around 52 children plus their visiting
American Dentists. It was a great week-end with children camping in our school
building. Singing and gamesand Bible classes filled In the waiting hourswhile the
cooks kept a delicious aroma floating out from the school kitchen.
On Sunday morning the visiting children met our Christianville children in
Children's Church. There are usually around 150 children in church and they enjoy
all kinds of nicethings... stories, puppet shows, songs and they taketurns bring
ing solo's and duets, too. This was a special day to have so many nice visitors.
Yes, It was a great week-end for all.
Dentist
Accountant
Promotion
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Representatives,
Forwarding Agents
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Dear Friends,
The river was very high,..dangerously so. Some of our Jean Jean children who
live on the opposite side of the river from the church wanted to come to Sun
day School. In fact the longing in their hearts as they stood looking at the
situation became so strong that they were willing to risk even their lives to
cross the river. They had a second problem - to keep their clothes dry! As
David arrived to begin services he looked toward the river in amazement, in
fear and in great pride watching this group of his children crossing the river
naked with their clothes carefully rolled up on top of their heads. He told
us afterward that not even he would have dared to cross the river that morning.
Well, that makes me wonder about my own committment..and perhaps it will you,
too. How true the Word of God is, "..a little child shall lead them."
And it is the children who will change Haiti and bring about a new day. Just
-watch them! Twenty seven of our graduating class are now in high school and
doing well. We are trusting the Lord for the funds that must be paid each
month. It is truly a worth-while investment. Two of the boys have been appoin
ted Junior deacons, five (both boys and girls) are working with the Childrens'
Church on Sundays and several are Sunday School teachers. All of them are act
ive in the church. Also, four boys have taken a training course in fish farming
while 12 others have taken the course in hog raising.
The new school building is nearing completion and we are already using three
classrooms. It is such a relief to spread out! There are 650 children in our
main school and 150 in the Mt, and Jean Jean Schools. Things are running smooth
ly and this is a blessing because there was talk of closing schools because of
the political situation. But the Lord has blessed us with an excellent beginning,
We are thankful for many things this joyful season...for our Lord who has prom
ised to be with us always, for you who have kept our bills paid, for the great
challenge that faces us each day break and for the wonderful people who keep
coming to help.
WE NEED YOU
and we are thankful when you come to help us carry the load.
Carpenters,
Mechanics, Plumbers, whatever your trade is, we can use you to God's glory.
Please pray about a visit. Paul and RAchel are here now and are joyfully mak
ing their home in Haiti. We are thankful for
the Dugans who have travelled far and hard to
meet you and greet you with news and pictures
of Christianville. Pray for them and for all
of us here on the field. And may you have a
blessed and wonderful Christmas season. Thank
In ^'Christmas" love,
im and Carol Herget
3
CHRISTIANVILLE - Haiti
December 29, 1987
Dear Friends,
It was the week of Christmas and the chapel was full that day...full of beautiful
happy young faces, hundreds of them. The music seemed to come straight from heaven,
music made by the tender voices of children of a third world country; children grow
ing up in the midst of a Spiritual warfare between Christianity and Voodoo. We are
encouraged to realize now that Christian teaching is really taking root in their
lives with the promise of new life and hope and joy.
As for Christmas your missionaries were busy people! Christmas dinners, treats,
parties and services were constant for over a week. Our school children received
their new church clothes and a little sack of gifts - toothbrushes, soap, shampoo, a
little mirror for the girls and a ball for the boys. And there was lots of good food
for them and for the youth and children of the church. It was great fun.
Nick Johnson our volunteer electrition from Dry Run Church of Christ in Ohio, re
turned as promised to complete the work on the new school.
ney, a deacon in the church there and sponsor for one of our children. They did a
marvelous job hanging lights, putting in outlets, switches, security lights and fans
and finally connecting the main cable to the pole. It was truly exciting going down
at night and turning on the lights for the first time.
It was beautiful!
We are
thankful for the dedication of these two Christian men who gave up their own Christ
mas time at home to come and work here.
We want to thank all of you for the loving way you stood beside us in prayer and
care over the political situation here.
became peaceful and the month of December has been quite uneventful.
January may
have a few problems but the same Lord who has kept us in His care thus far will see
us through whatever is ahead for Haiti,
presents the greatest challenge ever in giving Christian education to the children.
It will make a difference both in Haiti's future and in the hope of eternal life for
our suffering people.
Our staff all joins in sending good wishes and thanks for your prayers & gifts.
Paul
and Rachel Ronk are doing an excellent work with us and Sam and Sandy continue to be
of the year - the school floor, our need for a vehicle for church planting and a gen
erator for times of power cuts which we are told will be more serious in 1988,
you for your loving Christmas messages and cards..oh what a lot of joy they have
Thank