Adventists say Haitians need our help

By Barrington H. Brennen

The Adventist Church in The Bahamas and world wide, is helping to educate and train Haitians in Haiti and The Bahamas as a means of giving them a better quality of life and reducing the influx of illegal Haitians to our shores.

With an alarming rate of illiteracy in Haiti, Adventist believe it is contributing to the increase of illegal immigrants to our shores. Hence, in the spirit of compassion, the Adventist Church is endeavoring, through Adventist Development and Relief Agency, to educate and train Haitians with the view increasing literacy thus making a difference in Haiti and The Bahamas

ADRA has launched a literacy initiative ministry designed to assist one hundred thousand

persons. Already in sessions for a number of years, the programme is making a positive impact upon the live of many Haitians. Also, through ADRA The Adventist Church is sponsoring a programme known as Micro Economics designed to empower local farmers. They are taught how to properly cultivate their land and to effectively grow various crops. Additionally, they are granted small loans to fund their projects. According to ADRA director, Fritz Bissereth the farmers have been very consistent in making their payments. "In deed the programme is going well." From Aug. 18 to Aug. 20 Pastor Leonard A. Johnson, president of Bahamas Conference and his wife Denise Johnson, visited church leaders of the Adventist Church in Port Au Prince, Haiti. Attempting to forge and strengthen the link between the church in The Bahamas and the church in Haiti they met with leaders and members at all levels of The Adventist denomination as well as toured various sites of interest. As there are thousands of Haitians living in The Bahamas with approximately 2,000 members attending The Adventist Church it was felt that such a visit was long overdue and could serve to identify areas of need that the Bahamas Conference would target and assist. In fact, it was agreed that the local Conference here could best assist with the construction of local churches within Haiti as this is definitely a great need with many of the churches having to conduct three services each Sabbath morning starting as early as 6:30.

In The Bahamas, an outstanding Adventist Haitian pastor, Edward St Fleur, who serves three Haitian Churches in New Providence, coordinates an ongoing education programme for his members and other Haitians in the community. There are classes in French and Creole. There are also simple classes of basic instructions in setting up office and media equipment. He is certainly making a difference in the community.

On Dec. 13 all Adventist Church in New Providence will collect a special offering to assist with church construction in Haiti. The Conference headquarters will match the offerings collected for the projects. The Adventist leadership in The Bahamas is of the view that

whatever assistance can be given will serve to reduce the hundreds and thousands of Haitians risking their lives at sea to seek a better way of life. The Adventist Community sees the need for the church to partnership with the Government of The Bahamas in assisting the people of Haiti.

Posted Thursday 11 September, 2003

© 2003 The Nassau Guardian