Almost two years after its devastating earthquake, this next door neighbor still suffers tremendously. Many Americans wonder if there is truly an effective way to help that troubled country. The answer to that is yes. Hope Builders is in partnership with a ministry on the ground run by an esteemed Haitian doctor who has the history, the infrastructure, and the vision to help his nation through bringing them to the feet of Christ and then equipping them in both spiritual and practical ways.
We recently had the privilege of meeting with Cebien Alexis, Founder and Director of the ministry Army of Christ in Haiti. We have known Cebien for many years and are immensely impressed with him. For forty years he has led this wonderfully effective work, reaching many for the gospel and discipling them into lives full of love for the Lord Jesus. For anyone interested in helping change lives in Haiti, this ministry has an outstanding track record of doing just that. Here is a brief history of Army of Christ along with a strategic way to help Cebien carry out his God given work.
The Army of Christ, known in Haiti as "Eglise Baptiste Armee du Christ," (EBAC) was started in 1971. God put it in Cebien's heart to go and share the gospel in Ile Adam, not far from Cap Haitien. The words he spoke to Cebien were those given to Abraham in Genesis 12:2: "I will make you into a great nation and I will bless you; I will make your name great, and you will be a blessing." Acting on that simple command, he founded the first EBAC church. Today, after forty years, EBAC has 175 churches in Haiti, 89 schools, a medical clinic, an orphanage, a university, 23 churches in the Dominican Republic, and Love in Action Ministry, which is a foundation that supplies education for 8400 children. Since 2010, they have been praying for a great harvest of souls. As a result, so far, in 2011, over 1300 people have come to know the Lord Jesus Christ as their Savior.
Cebien shared an innovative program with us that is designed to improve Haitian life from the ground up. EBAC's school, Faith Christian University, has created a program for young Haitian people after they complete high school. This is an 18-month program (providing 60 credits) with four concentrations:
Health Technician and Vegetable Production; Technical Health and Animal Production (how to grow grass and herbs to care for your animals so they can produce); Protection of Environmental and Natural Resources and Risk Assessment; and Disaster Prevention.
Students will spend three days in the classroom and two days on the field. The ministry owns land on which the students will practice what they have learned. After students graduate, EBAC will send them back to their region to work and teach people in the community. Then, each student will be provided with a small loan to enable them to start their own business after completion of the program. This program offers a hope for the country, and a hope for the Haitian young men and women everywhere who must beg on the streets, asking people who pass by for a dollar for something to eat.
Cebien has secured the teachers, classrooms, and equipment, but lacks the funds to pay the teachers.They are ready to start this November, as soon as they have the needed funds. Would you please consider being the sponsor of one student for 18 months of study for $50 per month? You would be welcome to come and visit your student at any time. Please help them to start this great vision and open a new tomorrow for the next generation.
As of today, 163 students have applied for this program. Each one needs a sponsor. After 18 months, they will go out to work and teach; once they graduate, they can start paying back the money. This will provide funds for more students to take the training. When the students are ready to start farming, EBAC would like to provide graduates of the animal production course with a goat, costing $100. For those in vegetable production, they would buy 200 banana plants that would bring them a profit in nine months.
EBAC has everything in place to start this important program. Will you join in? $900 provides the whole cost for a student and every gift is appreciated. If you would like to do a monthly sponsorship, please indicate that on the memo line online or with your check. Your gifts of any amount will be pooled together with others to help meet this need. Gifts can be given online here.
