Blue Ridge inteRnational
FoR ChRist
Missions
Vol. 30 No. 2
HAiti
We greet you warmly from Haiti...alright, perhaps a bit too
warmly: the temp here hit or surpassed 100 degrees four
days last week. That’s a bit on the warm side even for Haiti,
and I believe it is a direct result of the drought sitation Haiti
is facing this year.
Dry = Hot!
Why the drought?
Well, that’s a complex question, linked at the macro level to this year’s growing El Nino warming over the Pacific,
which creates increased wind shear (high level westerly
winds) over the Caribbean. To keep the science lesson brief,
this wind shear disrupts the convection that builds thunderstorms (and hurricanes by the way). While fewer hurricanes
might be perceived as good news, unfortunately, the end result here in Haiti has been the disruption of the Spring/Summer rainy season - we have only had about three substantial
rainfalls on our compound since the beginning of April.
While the heat, dust and dead grass here at our mission
compound is not pleasant, the real tragedy of the drought is
happening out in the provinces. Most of the folks who live in
the rural areas of Haiti are poor subsistence farmers - living
hand to mouth on the proceeds and food from garden plots
and the few animals they manage to raise. We are getting
reports in regularly now from friends and contacts that many
of the gardens on the south peninsula have dried up. In addition, in some areas livestock are dying or being prematurely
sold or slaughtered to cut losses. We are also getting more
requests from community wells to replace dried-up water
sources. This weekend I have been invited to preach in one
of the rural churches our mission supports (Trouin), and the
churches there have made a special request for us to bring
along some food for distribution - which of course we will do.
However, drought is not the only challenge facing Haiti at
this time. A number of other issues are burdening the Haitian
people as well, and adding to a general sense of insecurity.
These include:
-The recent fall in the value of the Haitian currency (the
Gourde): Over the past few months the Gourde has lost over
20% of its value relative to the US Dollar. Because Haiti imports most of what it consumes, this means that the cost of
food and many other necessity items is rapidly increasing. Of
course, this hits the poor the hardest, since they spend the
insight
August 2015
DomiNicAN
republic
May the Lord continue showering; His mercy on us, and on
those, around us who still haven´t accepted His salvation…
Thank the Lord, for His provisions for us, and all you who have
a part in this….
The last of April we were privileged to take a medical trip to
Ga jo de monte. At last it became reality. Two trucks set out
for the 5 hr, treck with supplies,
medical personnel, and helpers.
The last hr. and 15 min. was a
dirty dusty road, up, down, and
around the side of the mountain.
When we arrived ,we were warmly greeted by the Delgado
family, who had stewed salami with onions and peppers, and
boiled root foods waiting for us. Around 10pm the next truck
from the capital came, with DR Tony, and another DR. The next
morning we arose early, and began setting up in the church.
When Rodolfo began giving out tickets, there was an endless line and people crowding
in the door. We ate breakfast,
and had devotions, and started attending people. Everyone
worked together well, we had
a good crew...Tony did 6 minor surgeries, along with consults, and Dr. Hilda, and I did
consults, (and etc...) attending
around 175. Dr. Selvio and Judy, with the help of Merle, attended 83 patients. We felt very satisfied, and thankful, we
were able to help the people who did not have easy medical
access. Thanks so much for making this possible.
We welcome the new administrators, who arrived on June
the 10th. James and Amy Miller and their family of 6, hale
from Kalona, Iowa. Their family has proved to be an interesting bunch. Pray for them, as
they go through the growing
pains of learning a new langage.
A few other involvements
we’ve had recently, was summer Bible school, June 15th to
the 20th. We had children in
Continued on page 2
HAiti coNt
greatest percent of their meager income on food.
-An impending deportation crisis with the Dominican
Republic: Haiti shares the island of Hispaniola with the
Dominican Republic (DR), and the porous border between
the two countries does little to dissuade poor Haitians
from heading east in search of a bit of income (unemployment in Haiti is above 60% according to some estimates). This situation, which accelerated after the 2010
earthquake, has precipitated an immigration crisis in the
DR. What to do with an increasing number of poor Haitian
immigrants?
In response, not only has the DR threatened to clamp
down on the hundreds of thousands of Haitian illegals on
its soil, but the courts have recently revoked the citizenship of anyone born in the DR since 1929 of non-Dominican parents. Some 200,000 people of Haitian decent
(many who have never even set foot in Haiti) now find
themselves without citizenship anywhere - and under the
threat of deportation. While the threatened deportations
have not started in earnest yet, over 50,000 Haitians
have voluntarily returned to Haiti in the past few months
amidst the growing tensions. Regardless of what we
think about the politics of all of this...it is hard to imagine
that Haiti has the means to absorb tens-of-thousands of
homeless people of Haitian decent who might be headed
its way.
-Political instability: While insecurity and civil unrest are
almost background noise here in Haiti, things tend to heat
up significantly more during election season as various
parties and factions vie for power, sometimes violently.
This year is not different. In December, because of a failure to come to an agreement on an election, the terms
of Haiti’s parliamentarians all expired; which has left the
country with no functioning legislative branch of government for over half a year. Well, it looks like elections for
parliament might finally happen in August, with presidential elections slated to follow in October...so everyone is
bracing for a bumpy ride these next few months.
Each of these issues would be destabilizing in their own
right, but put them all together and it seems like a recipe
for real trouble in an already troubled land. When you
think of it, please pray for Haiti and her people, and for us
as we try to respond wisely with the limited resources we
have available. We at Blue Ridge International for Christ
want to be salt and light to the needy around us, and find
ways to minister hope and healing in the name of Jesus.
Sincerely,
Dan Ziegler, Administrator (for Wendy and the girls)
DomiNicAN
republic coNt
attendance, ranging from 106 - 126 or so. We were thankful for the help from Jimeni. We also ask for your
prayers, in our children’s
ministry on Saturday mornings, that the seed could be
sown, and this could have a
lasting effect on their lives.
Also keep praying for our
church leaders, for a lot
of wisdom,--for the work
in the clinic, that we could
meet spiritual needs, and
not only physical needs
in the lives of our patients.
Also pray for Willy and Rosita’s upcoming wedding, on August 14. Thanks so much for
your prayers and support!
God Bless,
Nurse Anita
Welcome Delmar
Schrock (L) and Larry
Newcomer (R), Blue
Ridge’s two newest staff
members. Delmar, from
Kalona, IA, in our new
mechanic, and Larry,
from Starke County, IN,
works with our well
drilling program.
eeds
N
l
a
i
c
Spe
SewiNg groupS...
We can use a lot of School
Kits, Health Kits, and
Layette Bundles.
Staff Opportunities:
• Fellow for Office Manager - now
• A couple for Administrator - this fall
layette bundles
Health Kits
School Kits
Rubber Pants
2 Onesies
2 Gowns or sleepers
4 Diapers
Baby Bottle
Lotion
Baby Wash
Powder, etc.
(Wrap in 2 blankets with
safety pins)
Toothbrush
Toothpaste
Shampoo
Soap
2 Washcloths
Comb
Fingernail clipper, etc.
(Wrap in bath towel)
2 Tablets
6 Pencils
Erasers
Pencil Sharpener
Crayons
Ruler
Markers
(Put in a drawstring
bag or small backpack)
k)
leogANe
The photos above were taken at the party we held for the girls, here at
Leogane before they headed out to their families for several weeks on
summer vacation. Please continue praying for them!
The two youngest Blue Ridge missionary
boys have a lot in common! Not only are
little Benjamin Serge Bonnegre (R) and Mikael Barack Bonnegre (L) cousins, but their
dads are twins, their moms are both from
the US, and they were born in Leogane,
Haiti just two months apart. Mikaels parents
(Genord “Dadi” and Angela Bonnegre) run
Blue Ridge’s girls home, while Benjamin’s
folks (Lenord “Doudou” and Trish) are in
charge of the foster program. We are all
happy to welcome these two little guys to
the Blue Ridge family!
Welcome to Debbie from Ohio who is
our secretary! She has been here since
June and has committed to a term here
at Blue Ridge.
Blue Ridge International For Christ
c/o Phil Gingerich
7580 Converse Huff Rd
Plain City, OH 43064
PLACE
STAMP
HERE
addRess seRviCe Requested
haiti address:
Unit 2096 BRIC
3170 Airmans Drive
Ft. Pierce, FL 34946
Email: [email protected]
leogane children's home address:
B.R.I.C. c/o Agape Flights
100 Airport Ave.
Venice, FL 34285
Email: [email protected]
dominican republic address:
Workers Name
General Delivery
Piedra Blanca, Bonao
Dominican Republic
Ph. 809-325-6107 / 809-280-5628
Email: [email protected]
Prayer Requests:
• Safety and well being of employees
• Growth of the church
• Health of the Missionary Staff
Haiti Personnel:
Dan & Wendy Zeigler & girls
Mail To: Dale Wagler
570 S 700 E
Montgomery, IN 47558
Simeon & Melanie Shankster Church leader
Matt & Alicia Newcomer Well Driller
Eva Miller - Domestics
Janelle Troyer - Domestics
Kevin Stoltzfus - Office Manager
Larry Newcomer - Well drilling program
Henry Troyer - Well Driller’s Helper
Delmar Schrock - Maintenance
Lenord & Trish Bonnegre Foster Program
Dadi & Ang Bonnegre - Children’s
Home
Amber Schmucker - Secretary
Debbie Schrock - Domestics
Dominican Republic Personnel:
Merle and Mary Yoder - Pastor
Name
James and Amy Miller - Administrator
Anita Hershberger - Nurse
Address
• travis and lisa overholt - for
serving in the D.R. as administrator
for two years.
• rhonda Wagler - for helping out in
Leogane for several months.
• lyndon miller - for serving in
Port-au-Prince for 18 months as
mechanic.
Administrator
Mike Mullet - Pump Repair
Enclosed is my gift:
__ Haiti Mission Support
__ Foster Program ($25 a month per child)
__ School Program ($10 a month per child)
__ Dominican Republic Support
__ Use Where Most Needed
__ Well Drilling
__ Employee Housing Project
A special Thank-You to:
Carolyn Wagler - School Teacher
Amanda Kauffman - Pharmacist
Board Members of
bluE ridgE intErnational for christ
chairman: Eli Mast Jr.
2551 CR 168, Dundee, OH 44624
330-893-3099
vicE chairman: Elmer Stoltzfus
1952 Middle Rd., Middleburg, PA 17862
570-837-9092
sEcrEtary: Jadon Smoker
5861 Zook Lane, Gap, PA 074
717-490-0670
trEasurEr: Dale Wagler
570 S 700 E, Montgomery, IN 47558
812-486-3402
lEgal agEnt: Mike Yutzy
2199 CR 140 Sugarcreek, OH 44681
330-231-5329
circulation managEr: Phil Gingerich
7580 Converse Huff Rd., Plain City, OH 43064
614-873-4879
contributing mEmbEr: Dan Otto
8038 East 400 N., Kokomo, IN
765-628-2960
contributing mEmbEr: Omar Stoltzfus
4271 Newark Rd., Oxford, PA 19363
717-529-2638
pastoral committEE
george stoltzfus, Middleburg, PA,
570-922-4919
steve stoltzfus, Kennedyville, MD,
410-348-5147
Jason gingerich, Sarasota, FL, 941-924-6130
philip beiler, Narvon, PA, 717-435-0564