First Presbyterian and South Mecklenburg Presbyterian Churches present:
BAYONNAIS BLESSINGS Volume 1/Issue 2 June 2008
An update on the school and church in Bayonnais, Haiti

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This is the second of a series of newsletters designed to bring to you the exciting news of God's amazing work in the Christian school and church in the Bayonnais area of Haiti. We are grateful for your prayers, mission visits, sponsorships of children, and other gifts of love in support of this desperately poor community.
More than 1,500 school children are being fed both spiritually and physically because of your generosity, and the light of Christ's love is now shining in the hearts of new believers.

SOME CONTENTS:
A trip to Bayonnais, Haiti (First Presbyterian

Why Visit OFCB Ministries in Haiti?

Long-range Hunger Planning

Haiti update from Actionnel Fleurisma and OFCB Ministries

As part of the three year pledges to support the building addition to our church, the session approved a small percentage of the building funds to be used for local and international construction supporting needs of various non-profit organizations. OFCB Ministries in Haiti was given $12,700 in late May. Here is their response to the generosity of SMPC building fund contributors in the first year of contributions.

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The SMPC Missions Committee is primarily concerned with our outreach program to support the Bayonnais Christian Mission in Haiti. Our Haiti connection dates from the church’s beginnings when Actionnel Fleurisma, who began the Bayonnais Mission, lived among us and was one of our charter members. The Missions Committee encourages church members to participate in the Haiti sponsorship program - school children are “sponsored” for the sum of $20 or $30 per month, and the money is used to pay teachers’ salaries, buy supplies, etc.

We have also sent large amounts of clothing, instruments, and other items that are of use by the Haitians. We have partially funded the construction of a hostel on the school/church compound, and it is under roof at this time. A number of youth from Gonaives have already used it for a retreat center. An SMPC group of youth and adults went to Haiti in April 1999, and were able to see where our finances have been used. The Missions Committee hopes to secure the necessary funding to complete this meaningful project.

The committee is continuing to contact and educate other churces and organizations in our area in an effort to increase the number of participants in the sponsorship program. There are many more children in need of education in Bayonnais than the present school can serve. Other mission work of the Presbyterian Church (USA) is going on all over the world, including many areas of our own country. As we become more knowledgeable we want to share with you these opportunities that might be of special interest to you. Watch for more information through the newsletter and the bulletin. Whether or not we are able to participate, we hope to instill the very real need for each Christian to pray for and about missions.

Chairperson: David Nichols david5cents@aol.com

Members: Ernest & Helen Hunter, Judy & David Nichols, Tony Bentley, Mrna Dibble, Kay Dano, Leigh Yeoman, Gwen Ferguson, Bob Foote, Lindalee Macauley, Melinda Harmon, Carol & Tom Palmgren, Mary Katheryne & Michael Zagora.