May 11, 2007

Recently I learned that Actionnel and Yolande were considering bringing into their home another person. I do believe that they already have 14 people living in their house.  In communicating with Actionnel concerning the new girl that they believed the Lord was leading them to bring into their home, I inquired of Actionnel concerning the child so that I could share the information with members of our E-Mail List and with readers of the Web Site. In responding Actionnel shares some of his own personal story from his childhood. His earlier experiences have dramatically framed his life. Out of his own experience of there being no school where he lived in the mountains of Bayonnais came his burden and that of some dear friends to build a school and to start a church. Below you will read Actionnel's personal response as to their taking in this poor orphaned child who just recently lost her mother to some "strange" illness. Her father died a four years prior so she was alone.

Marie-Ange represents thousands of children in Haiti who have been orphaned.  We cannot help them all, but maybe you can assist with one.  You may wish to visit the page on this web site that explains how you can Sponsor a Child. 

Bob Bodenhamer

Rev. Bob,

Grace and Peace to you, your wife and Christ Fellowship Community Church members.

We have given glory to his name for such a great positive impact that Christ Fellowship Community Church and Rutherwood Baptist Church in Boone have on the community of Bayonnais, Haiti, since we first met in 1996 at the promise Keepers conference in Atlanta, Georgia. Bless the name of the one from whom all blessings flow.  We are all very much grateful for the $2,600.00 from your home church in Boone.

Brother, you have asked a couple of questions regarding Marie- Ange which are very difficult for to answer. Yet, I must tell you that my back ground, having been born in a destitute family in the remote region of Bayonnais, including my being convinced by the holy spirit, has been our strong motivation to bring Marie-Ange into our house after her mother, Isabelle Donatien, had been dead from a strange sickness.

Saint- Ange Aceus, the father of Marie- Ange died four years ago at the age of 52, after a long period of sickness. About a year later, Isabelle and Marie-Ange became Christians and part of our congregation. Very soon after, we discovered that Isabelle was somehow sick and we started sending her to Hospital on a regular basis, plus providing funds to feed her. Finally, a week ago today, Isabelle died at the age of 51, and left behind these two young children, Ritho and Marie-Ange. Of course I have been grieving the death of that so sweet young lady, but it has become much worse for me to see Marie-Ange staying or living alone. We felt that she needed a dad, a mom, an advisor, a friend and a provider. 

When I remember that after I finished elementary school in Bayonnais at the age 18 in 1982 , life was about to be over for me, but with Eben- Ezer Mission led by the Rev. Michel Morisset, I could continue my education freely and being fed when food was available, very scarcely, and also it is the place where Mrs. Helen Hunter found me or I found her in 1985, I had just finished with 9th grade getting ready to go to 10th grade; Knowing that I was not a real orphan, but virtually I was, as it has been for so many here in Bayonnais. Knowing or seeing what the Lord has been doing through us since 1993, we have come to believe that being poor,  real or virtual orphan and ugly does not mean worthless in life. My first hand experience has allowed me to understand that a child is not a COOKING POT, cooking pots do not grow, but children do grow no matter how rough their background might appear.

Sorry to say that, the death of Isabelle has simply brought more attention to Marie- Ange, for her mom had never been able  to pay any thing for her while in our school, which is similar to us for we have hundreds of cases like that down here. This why we have always had so much financial headache to deal with at OFCB Ministries. Marie is in the 9th grade now and hopefully she will make it to the tenth, for she is very smart. Yesterday, her brother Ritho with another brother that I have seen for the first time came over to my house, actually the other one's name is Gustalain, born from a different mother who is still living in another city by the name Gros Morne, to let me know how grateful and happy they have been for the fact that Marie is going to live with us and also to let me and Yolande know that Marie is coming this coming Sunday. 

IN 25 YEARS, WHO KNOWS WHAT MARIE-ANGE MIGHT BECOME? 

I think our job is simply to give a push to those toward whom the Lord has sent us. It is some how heavy to predict how much it will cost to take care of Marie-Ange, but as long as we can tell, she will have a better care than if she stays in Bayonnais by herself. This exactly what our hope is. (I had inquired of Actionnel to give me an estimate of the cost to him for keeping Marie-Ange in their home - Bob.)

Let us use any means we have to lift up the name of our LORD.

Actionnel  Fleurisma