Mission Bahamas ~ A Reunion

It was almost like old times.  Rich Rohde, a project coordinator with Mission Discovery, invited me to be the camp speaker during the June 2-6. 2015 mission project.  A Catholic school group from Cincinnati took their school mission trip to New Providence Island, Bahamas with Mission Discovery (www.missiondiscovery.org).  The reason I say it was almost like old times was because I was a project coordinator with Mission Discovery for 18 years.  In 1993 I organized and ran Mission Discovery's first mission project in the Bahamas.  I then directed the work in the Bahamas until I resigned from Mission Discovery / HOLD the children in 2010.  I am grateful to my friends at Mission Discovery for the opportunity to minister to the Cincinnati mission team and to my Haitian and Bahamian friends.  It was also a special joy to serve with Jim Weber.  Jim, a talented song writer and recording artist, led worship each evening.  He and I go back 20 years in serving mission teams with Mission Discovery.  It was a great reunion week with Jim, Rich, Bazile and Exante at the Adventure Learning Camp, South Beach.

Don speaking at Bahamas mission camp.

I served a number of Haitian families in the Bahamas for over 20 years.  Anna Joel and her children are very dear to me.  I have watched some of her children grow from infancy to young adults.  Anna has had her share of life's ups and downs but has managed to keep her faith in the Lord Jesus.  Mission Discovery teams have helped improve Anna's living situation by building a house that she and her family now live in.

Anna, surrounded by her family,  has her arm around my shoulder. The Cincinnati mission team finished the drywall and painted the walls behind us in Anna's new home.

Annas, Shamika (holding baby) and Elsie

Anna is queen of her home.

Ronald, now in his early 30s, is as healthy and happy as ever.  I love this guy!

Franklin is 14.  I was visiting this village the day he was born. When I looked into Anna's shack, I saw her holding him, the size of a grapefruit, in a paper towel with the umbilical cord still attached. She then walked out of the village with paramedics at her side to go to the hospital. 

Haiti - A Very Special Place

Truth Connect will conduct a leadership training conference in northern Haiti next month.  I am looking forward to returning to this country that has made such a huge impact in my life.  My first visit there in 1999 was truly memorable - interpret that to mean severe culture shock - I couldn't wait to leave!  But, I recovered from that initial trip and God has allowed me to return to Haiti many, many times.

Over the years I led a number of  Mission Discovery teams (www.missiondiscovery.org) into Port-au-Prince and Port-de-Paix where we partnered with pastors and local churches to serve the poor, i.e., just about anyone you meet there.  I had the privilege to create a child sponsorship program in Haiti called HOLD the children.  HOLD  helps poor children attend school and provides them with necessities like pencils, uniform and a school lunch (www.holdthechildren.org).  Haiti's history and culture are so captivating that I researched and wrote a book  about it and how HOLD the children is making a difference there.  If you would like a PDF copy of the book, email your request to don@truthconnect.org.  There is no charge but a donation would help Truth Connect as it serves the poor and needy.  Please write out your tax-deductible check to Truth Connect and send to P.O. Box 5608, Johnstown PA, 15904.

In December, 2010 I left Mission Discovery and HOLD the children for a new calling and to start a new, non-profit ministry called Truth Connect.  The Lord has placed in my heart the strong desire to educate and encourage Christian leaders to be disciple-makers where they live.  There are many church leaders around the world who love the Lord and are passionate to lead the local church but lack basic training in Bible and leadership skills.  It for these Christian leaders that Truth Connect exists - to educate, encourage and empower them to be disciple-makers for the glory of God!  Truth Connect recruits skilled Christian trainers to go where these needy leaders live and educate, encourage and love them.  Truth Connect needs not only trainers but project helpers and prayer walkers too.  If this sounds of interest to you, please contact me to learn more.

In a few weeks I'll return to Haiti with another trainer-friend for a leadership conference.  And, when I think of Haiti, I see pictures of people and places that are special to me.  God has taught me so much through my Haitian friends - young and not so young.  I am thankful to God for them all.

HOLD the children sponsor child.

HOLD the children  school teacher.

Don with the HOLD the children's very first sponsor child, Sedler (left).  

HOLD the children Home under construction in 2008, Lavaud, Haiti.

River near Port-de-Paix airport has many uses.

The primary problem children face in Haiti is hunger.

Dr. Don and Pastor Exante with orphans living at HOLD the children Home.

A friend with Dr. Don at evangelistic outreach in Port-de-Paix.

 Haitian kitchen.

One of Don's first trips to Haiti - what an impact!

Pastor Bolivar, Pastor Exante, Dr. Don in Lavaud, Haiti.

Pastor Bazile and his father - Cap Haitian.