93 Sheets of Roof Metal
As many of you know, FBCG began its ministry partnership with Haiti following the 2010 earthquake that killed roughly 220,000 Haitians, injured another 300,000, and left 1.5 million people in Port-au-Prince (PAP) homeless. At the time, Clotaire Celius (and his brother, Jonas) were attending FBCG and were from La Gonâve Island, about 50 miles from PAP. After prayer and the Lord’s leading, Tony Clark and I joined Jonas and Clotaire in 2010 for our first trip to PAP and the island.
Since then, I have visited Haiti 14 times, working on church construction projects, overseeing the creation and maintenance of an airstrip for small planes, teaching and preaching, and, on seven of those trips, taking medical and work teams. In 2016, we brought a team of teens who ran a soccer camp where many came to Christ.
Our primary ministry site has been on La Gonâve Island in the village of Gros Mangles, where many of Clotaire’s family members reside. There, we have partnered with local residents to help build classrooms, purchase and transport a dump truck, and fund the drilling of a well and the installation of a reverse- osmosis water treatment system. Much of this work has been done in collaboration with the Nazarene Church in Gros Mangles, where Reverend Honore Beramon serves as pastor. We have hosted Pastor Beramon twice at FBCG during his visits to the United States. When COVID hit in 2020, we were unable to return, and since then, political unrest and gang control have prevented further visits. Aside from supporting a few younger students at the Nazarene school, helping a student complete her medical training in PAP, and occasionally sending money for rice and beans, we have not been able to do much to assist them. They also have not asked for help during the past five years.
However, last month Pastor Beramon contacted me and asked for assistance. The metal roof over their sanctuary in Gros Mangles is failing. To be honest, I thought it needed replacement 15 years ago when we first visited, but now it is rusting through and has many holes. The church compound also serves as a Christian school for 425 students.
To repair the sanctuary roof, they need 150 sheets of metal at a total cost of $5,350 USD ($35 per sheet). They have been raising funds for several years and have already collected $2,000 toward the project. Considering the average income on the island is only $2–$3 USD per day, this is a remarkable effort. However, they still need to raise $3,250, which equates to 93 sheets of metal.
With the approval of the Mission Board and the excellent artwork provided by Stan Gallimore, we are asking the FBCG church family to help our brothers and sisters at the Nazarene Church in Gros Mangles raise the remaining $3,250 needed for this project.
During the month of September, we ask that you prayerfully consider purchasing one or more sheets of metal by donating $35 per sheet. Please visit the sign-up table in the foyer during September and write your name beside the number of sheets you wish to donate or donate online and let us know how many sheets in the "add a notes"
I know that many people in Haiti are suffering and feeling isolated and forgotten. What a wonderful opportunity to let them know that we see them, care about them, and love them.
Since then, I have visited Haiti 14 times, working on church construction projects, overseeing the creation and maintenance of an airstrip for small planes, teaching and preaching, and, on seven of those trips, taking medical and work teams. In 2016, we brought a team of teens who ran a soccer camp where many came to Christ.
Our primary ministry site has been on La Gonâve Island in the village of Gros Mangles, where many of Clotaire’s family members reside. There, we have partnered with local residents to help build classrooms, purchase and transport a dump truck, and fund the drilling of a well and the installation of a reverse- osmosis water treatment system. Much of this work has been done in collaboration with the Nazarene Church in Gros Mangles, where Reverend Honore Beramon serves as pastor. We have hosted Pastor Beramon twice at FBCG during his visits to the United States. When COVID hit in 2020, we were unable to return, and since then, political unrest and gang control have prevented further visits. Aside from supporting a few younger students at the Nazarene school, helping a student complete her medical training in PAP, and occasionally sending money for rice and beans, we have not been able to do much to assist them. They also have not asked for help during the past five years.
However, last month Pastor Beramon contacted me and asked for assistance. The metal roof over their sanctuary in Gros Mangles is failing. To be honest, I thought it needed replacement 15 years ago when we first visited, but now it is rusting through and has many holes. The church compound also serves as a Christian school for 425 students.
To repair the sanctuary roof, they need 150 sheets of metal at a total cost of $5,350 USD ($35 per sheet). They have been raising funds for several years and have already collected $2,000 toward the project. Considering the average income on the island is only $2–$3 USD per day, this is a remarkable effort. However, they still need to raise $3,250, which equates to 93 sheets of metal.
With the approval of the Mission Board and the excellent artwork provided by Stan Gallimore, we are asking the FBCG church family to help our brothers and sisters at the Nazarene Church in Gros Mangles raise the remaining $3,250 needed for this project.
During the month of September, we ask that you prayerfully consider purchasing one or more sheets of metal by donating $35 per sheet. Please visit the sign-up table in the foyer during September and write your name beside the number of sheets you wish to donate or donate online and let us know how many sheets in the "add a notes"
I know that many people in Haiti are suffering and feeling isolated and forgotten. What a wonderful opportunity to let them know that we see them, care about them, and love them.
Church of the Nazarene Roofing Project
