Bringing Hope to Haiti
Radio is still one of the most effective ways of mass communication to people in Haiti as they continue to recover from the devastating earthquake in January 2010. Now, thanks to “Help Haiti” donations and the work of twelve volunteers from Fremont (MI) First CRC, Back to God Ministries International (BTGMI) is able to reach even more people with words of hope from Scripture.
Shortly after the earthquake, French ministry leader Rev. Paul Mpindi began preparing special messages for the Haitian people. Initial response was very encouraging. Looking for answers and hope, nearly 2,000 listeners signed up for the BTGMI Bible study course. But through our partners in Haiti, Rev. Mpindi came to realize we were missing a large segment of the population whose first language is not French, but Creole. “Programs in the Creole language would speak the good news of the gospel in the ‘heart language’ of the vast majority of the population,” notes BTGMI director Rev. Bob Heerspink.
“Haitians are still feeling the after-shocks of the earthquake today, both emotionally and spiritually,” reports Lesley Millar Toussaint, CRC World Missions staff member who helps coordinate the Bible study program for BTGMI. Working with Sous Espwa (CRCNA ministries in Haiti—CRWM CRWRC, and BTGMI Haitian staff) church and leadership developer Rev. Zachary King, proposed a plan to translate messages of encouragement into Creole to more effectively reach out to those who are still suffering. In order to accomplish that, the Haitian ministry needed a recording studio in Port-au-Prince.
That’s where the Fremont volunteers stepped in. Rev. King mentioned this need to his supporters at Fremont First CRC. “We’ve all had a heart for ministry to those who are underprivileged,” said Steve Breuker, one of the Fremont volunteers whose group has made several mission trips to the Caribbean to work on construction projects. “Following the earthquake, we all decided God was calling us to go to Haiti.”
The volunteers—among them four carpenters—hauled computers, speakers, and recording equipment with them, and spent eight days transforming a room in the Haitian CRC ministry center into a soundproof recording studio. Local electricians worked to get all the equipment up and running.
Through the “Help Haiti” fund, BTGMI was able to hire additional staff to provide spiritual counseling to those who respond to the broadcasts—an average of 1,500 people each month since the studio was completed. Other partners—including CRWRC and the Billy Graham Association—are also making use of the new studio to provide audio and video resources in Creole. “Our small investment is bearing significant fruit,” says Heerspink.
“We are preparing short advertising spots to let the public know about our counseling and pastoral care services,” Toussaint reports. “We really look forward to see how God will use this studio to advance the work in His kingdom here in Haiti.”
Pictured above: (L-R): Marguelita Pétion (BTGMI staff), Steve Breuker, Lewis Deters, Lee Mys, Schephatia Mystidor (BTGMI), Rich Deters, and Pastor Gregory Brutus (BTGMI). Other members of the Fremont volunteer team included: Judy Luchies, Greg Zahrt, Janiece Zahrt, Greg Hoekman, Kathy Buitendorp, Lisa Maynard, Joy Meyers, and Linda Gines. Taylor Brookhouse, a young member of the team who "was the momentum behind the fund-raising and public awareness" for the mission trip unfortunately had to drop out last minute due to illness.
