August 29, 2023

Great Sorrow

Last week, we received the heart wrenching news that a young man named Johnny who had grown up at our Hope Center in Galette Chambon, Haiti was senselessly murdered by members of a gang.

As a boy, Johnny and another young boy named Bicly became part of the BGM Hope Center family. Tony and Mickie West took them in and treated them like sons. Countless Christians from the States became friends with Johnny when they would visit Haiti on a mission trip. Then, on one occasion, Johnny and Bicly were able to come to the U.S. and visit many of the friends they had made over the years.

In recent years, Johnny had settled down, gotten married, and had a child. Then, unbelievably, his life was stolen from him last week by members of a violent gang. The murder was senseless, pointless, and evidence of the great depravity of so many. Please join us in praying for Johnny's wife and child. Life was already very difficult for them, but now their husband and father is gone.

As you can see in the photos below, Johnny was loved by many.

That infectious smile was on full display here

in the States when Johnny learned to fish

While all the other photos of Johnny are important, they pale in comparison to the event taking place in this photo. Here, Johnny is being baptized as a follower of Jesus Christ. After years of being around Christians and hearing the Good News of the Gospel, Johnny placed his faith in Christ and gave evidence of that faith though his baptism in the ocean surrounding Haiti. While our hearts remain heavy, we do not grieve as those who have no hope. Because of the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus, we live with the hope of seeing Johnny again!

Amazing Perseverance

Sadly, the murder of Johnny is not the only act of violence the people of Haiti are enduring these days. Every day brings with it the possibility of kidnapping, rape, murder, and other acts of violence, especially in the more urban areas and in those villages that are closer to the urban areas.

And yet, in the midst of this tragic situation, the people of Haiti persevere. The friends and employees of BGM continue to share the love of Christ with those in need. Instead of becoming paralyzed with fear, our Haitian friends continue, day after day, to treat patients, build houses, educate children, feed the hungry, and share the gospel. They get up every day and go to work. They lead and plan and implement. They communicate with those of us here in the States and work hard to make sure the vital ministries that make up BGM not only continue but thrive.

Two Sundays ago, Pastor Mathurin in the village of Thoman baptized 10 new believers in the river below the church.

Revival services were held two weeks ago at the church in Thoman

During the revival, the youth choir of the church celebrated its 10 year anniversary. In preparation for the celebration, a new youth orchestra was organized and then performed during the revival services.

Last week we held two more food distributions in Thoman. Another food distribution will be held in the next week or two for the families in the village of Galette Chambon.

Many hungry families were blessed with the most recent food distribution.

As missionary Mickie West recently explained, "Being able to learn skills that can provide an income is extremely important to growing a sustainable community, and BGM is committed to equipping the people of Galette Chambon to do just that. Our BGM Professional School is still going strong in spite of extremely difficult circumstances. Here are some of our tile students and cosmetology students hard at work learning their trade!"



No Stopping Now

In the midst of great sorrow, we continue to fulfill the mission God gave to us over 12 years ago: to share the love of Jesus Christ through building sustainable communities around the world. May God give us strength, conviction, and stamina to continue sharing our countless blessings with those who, through no fault of their own, live in unimaginable suffering and hopelessness. May we be the light Jesus called us to be. May we be the hands of feet of the One who has given so much to us.

Finally...

As you know, all of our work in Haiti and the Mississippi Delta takes a great deal of resources. If you are in a position to give, you can give a general gift online HERE or send a check to: But God Ministries, 118 Homestead Drive, Suite D, Madison, MS, 39110.