The blog on this page contains messages from Sam. Check back often to get the latest on his ministry in Haiti.
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One does hate to complain, but a farming community does need rain. Its hot, breezy...perfect if you are
on vacation, but not so great otherwise.
The pastor of Dariol church is planning some spiritual events during
the summer like a crusade, out door evangelism campaigns, etc. Its always great to get the people thinking about
their future destination. Everyone here feels that Jesus will be returning for His Church soon. We want to be
found working for Him when He gets here.
Even though we've just entered the hurricane season it sure doesn't seem
likely a hurricane will hit soon. But then its like Jesus' return, you have to be ready....
Please
pray for Gospel Growers as we are pondering our next move in light of declining resources. We will hold a board meeting
in July to seek the Lord's guidance about how to proceed. There could very well be some changes in how we will carry
on some of our different ministries in order to be more cost effective.
We are always looking for partners
to continue God's work here in Haiti. Please consider joining us in this worthy effort!
Things are not too dry right now but please pray for us to get rain. Nine days ago we had a good storm
that has brought some green back. The corn crop was lost, but there is some hope for the millet and congo beans if the
rain would fall.
Yesterday I preached at Metayer Church from Habbakuk 3:17-19. Its a beautiful message
of hope when things are discouraging. We should praise God at all times and not just when things are going well.
There is a good group of people there who are seeking the Lord. Please pray for them to receive spiritual wisdom and
understanding.
Nobrin finally came to Dariol Church yesterday! I wasn't there as I was in Metaye but I was
told he came. We are so thankful that God is bringing him out of a terrible situation. Please continue to lift
him and his family up in prayer.
The school year ended here last week and the kids are now enjoying a well earned
vacation. Thanks to all of you who sponsored a child this year in school making it possible for them to have a hope
for a better future. We are going to have to refigure our support list as so many of the children have lost sponsors.
Could be 5-6 schools that will lose their assistance. Sponsors may be receiving new child assignments as we focus
on schools that are remaining in our program. Its sad but I see no way of avoiding this unless we were to
get new sponsors for those children who have lost their support.
Anyone wishing to help us by sponsoring
a Haitian child next school year can contact me at samrice@gospelgrowers.org or by communicating with our office
by mail at Gospel Growers, Inc. P O Box 92814 Southlake, TX 76092
We ask $20/month over
the 10 month school year period or $200/year.
In the month of May, the Dariol clinic which we founded and support celebrated its 17th year of service to
the community of this part of Haiti. Our patient files hold the names of 20,000+ people, all who have been treated
and helped during this long period of time.
It hasn't been an easy road. The actual budget for paying staff
is only about $350 dollars/month. The money taken in from the sale of medicines goes into a fund which will purchase
other meds when those in stock are finished. Its a "loaves and fishes" operation with very few resources doing
so much! People come from miles around to benefit from the competent and compassionate care of our staff.
Would you like to ensure that this worthy ministry continues? Please send contributions to our Southlake
Office: Gospel Growers PO Box 92814 Southlake, Texas 76092
You may have been wondering what happened to Nobrin after his last spiritual attack when it caused the death
of his infant son. The local Judge came as in all cases of unusual deaths to investigate. He fully accepted the
fact that Nobrin had killed his son while under demonic possession--this is Haiti. No charges were filed.
The last 2 times I visited Nobrin he was in a depression, We prayed and sang a hymn. He barely acknowledged
our presence. Yesterday, however, he seemed more relaxed and identified us. He even had a small smile.
We read psalm 23 and commented on it. After encouraging him to look forward and to put himself entirely under God's
control, we left a Bible with him and counseled his wife NOT to seek any solution from a witchdoctor but only from God.
This might be difficult for you all to accept these precedings, but they are accepted as normal in Haiti where there
is familiarity with evil spirits. The man who savaged the homeless man in Miami eating his face was in fact a Haitian.
The fact that he was on drugs simply made it easier for the demon to "take over" and cause him to do what he did.
The United States has opened the door for a demonic spiritual invasion by its obsession with the occult in games, movies,
etc. Don't be surprised if you see more and more of these things happening especially as the return of Jesus gets
closer and closer.
Looking back over the last several years since Gospel Growers was founded, there are many reasons to be
happy and to praise God. Hundreds of kids have been able to receive an education in one of the 12 Christian
schools we have helped. These schools serve as bases for Evangelism in their respective communities. Soul by soul
we are changing the religious demographics of Haiti moving it slowly from spiritual darkness and into the light of Christianity.
The evangelistic activity has created 5 new churches which are growing and thriving. Our Pastors Bible Study
has allowed for already existing churches to benefit as well due to the distribution of Bibles and Bible Study materials to
ministers. The Christian community where we are established is becoming stronger and more Biblically based.
Radio Semence, our Christian Radio Station has encouraged, comforted and informed thousands of listeners.
Now for the sad part. Giving to the mission has dropped off quite a bit. We are having to drop 6 schools
next year as the loss of sponsors makes it impossible to support them. The Radio Station is forced to cut back on broadcasts
and we have been crippled lately by equipment failure. Some of the equipment is ten years old and needing replacing.
The economic downturn is having a drastic effect. What makes one sick is the fact that millions of dollars are flowing
into the coffers of American political candidates. And since only one candidate will succeed, half of that fortune
will have been wasted.
As God is in control, we continue to look to Him to supply our needs and to direct our efforts.
Over these many years I have been able to disciple many young Haitians and they have taken an active role in running
the programs we do. The small funds we have had to reimburse them for their work are not much but they have
come to depend on them. With fewer resources some of these gifted young people will have to drift away in search of
an income and they will be lost to the Christian community here. It is sad, but we are sure that God knows what it all
means and He has a reason for why everything happens.
Please pray for us as we try to continue to reach people
for Christ in this poor, backward nation. If any can help, our address is: Gospel Growers, Inc P. O. Box 92814 Southlake, TX 76092
After a refreshing time of rain in April, the month of May which is known as the "rainy month" proved
to as dry as a bone. Those who planted in February just got by with some success from their planting, while others
who delayed expecting rain as usual in May, were greatly deceived. We are experiencing a lot of wind and cloudless skies.
Great if you are a tourist, not so much if you are a farmer. The wind whips up the waves so even the fishermen are not
able to do anything. It doesn't look well for the coming months. Hunger always looms as a constant spector
in Haiti. Cholera which started up again with the rain has diminished again with the dryness.
On the mission
front, we also are experiencing a dry period in regards to people donating to the work here. The world economies are
limping along and this no doubt has affected the amount that people can give away. The awareness of the need for missions
is also experiencing a decline as people turn increasingly inward and focus on personal needs. Persecution of Christians
is increasing dramatically in the world and yet the American churches say surprisingly little about this. We must start
seeing ourselves as part of the universal Church of Jesus Christ again. We Christians are all spiritually interconnected
through the Holy Spirit. We should feel each others' pain and identify with each others' trials and suffering.
There has to be a refocusing on Jesus' priority rather than our own. Jesus made this quite clear by giving
us the Great Commission. We should be using our time, effort and resources in the gaining of new souls for the Kingdom
of God. How will the Lord view the squandering of our resources on bigger, more comfortable buildings to worship in,
while millions perish because resources are not made available to go out and win them for Christ. I am willing to go,
but I must have the backing of others so that I can carry on the work. Bibles need to be bought, structures to house
new congregations put up. Not the "palaces" of worship in the US but simple tin, covered cement block buildings.
It is not the building which is the church! The church is the group of people meeting in the building.
The
Lord is coming soon. Will he find us involved in the work which is important to Him--evangelizing the world-- or sitting
in comfortable, air-conditioned churches singing beautiful songs with expensive sound systems. We must get to
work doing what the LORD wants!
