In June 2010 Jeremy Sanders, Hal Heis and Richard Bradley visited the Holy Bible Church and school that was planted by Icymae Frederick and Elise Cadet in 1988. This area known as Petite Riviere de Bayonaise (or Tiriviere) is located in a valley about 8 miles east of Gonaives, Haiti. The purpose of the trip was to develop a vision for ways that groups from our area could minister through their resources and abilities. Icymae was from the area north of Birmingham known as Fultondale, Alabama and was known for her work and ministry in this area of Haiti. After her death on March 9, 2008, many who knew her continued to support the ministry and were looking for other ways to help. Elise had visited our area many times so there was a relationship with Icymae and Elise that compelled us to see if there was more we could do in the Name of Jesus for the people of Haiti. Jeremy and Richard were a part of a earthquake disaster relief team in February 2010 and were moved by the despair, poverty and endless needs of the Haitian people.
During that visit we were able to purchase 15 water filters for the school and community. It was known that poor water quality in the area resulted in sickness and disease, so this was a first step to try and alleviate that problem Attention was also given in the areas of sanitation and hygiene. The funds were given by the Rotary Club in Gardendale.
The ministry had started construction on a medical clinic but had stopped upon Icymae’s death in 2008. Since then no work has been done on the clinic.
We also visited a site in Souvenance where a church had been planted many years before. The building foundation had been started but stopped due to lack of funding and had only resulted in just a few courses of block actually being laid.
We were astounded at the student population of the school. At that time there were over 600 students attending. Normally this is around 450, but many students were there as a result of displacement by the January 12 earthquake. This was a heavy burden, but the teachers and the students all seemed content with the overcrowding and additional teaching load. We found out at that time how badly needed books and school supplies were. Some of the books they were using literally had no bindings. When the ministry has the extra funds, a meal of beans and rice is provided to the students at lunch. In some cases this is the only real meal they will have that day.
That Sunday we worshipped with the Holy Bible Church and it was filled to capacity.
As a result of this trip the following was accomplished or planned for the future:
- Installed some of the Hydraid Biosand filters at the school and mission house. The remainder Elise would install as needed.
- Made plans for a future trip with a construction team to finish the building walls and roof of the church at Souvenance
- Make provisions to install a Living Waters for the World Ozone water treatment system for the school that had been purchased by not installed. Additional help and training would be needed to finish the installation.
- Develop a plan to fund a larger generator. The current model was worn out and too small to carry the load of the mission house and the Ozone water treatment system.
- Research the costs to complete the medical clinic and investigate ways to staff or use the facility for the benefit of the people of the area and for the glory of God.
- Make long term plans to replace the roof of the Holy Bible Church. It was in a state of disrepair and had been damaged by a hurricane.
I think we left there overwhelmed by the needs, but also overwhelmed by what we saw that God had already done through a little lady that loved the Lord, a young pastor that constantly saw God’s provision in a hard land and faithful donors scattered across the South. We looked forward to see what God would do next!