Mission: Haiti
Since 2006, John Bollinger has had a stake in things that happen in Haiti.
In fact, you might say the Fayetteville man has three stakes in the small island country – Bichy Decimus, Peterson Mathurin and Feguens Sauveur.
Those are the three children Bollinger personally sponsors through Mission to Haiti, a ministry which works to conduct a mission of charitable and benevolent character especially directed to the people of Haiti. Mission to Haiti has worked within the country for the last 30 years.
Bollinger first learned of Mission to Haiti as a young man. Since June 2005, he has taken eight trips to Haiti.
“On the surface, child sponsorship is $30 a month, which pays school tuition, provides multiple meals each day and medical attention,” Bollinger said. “On a deeper level, I see my sponsored children on every trip I take to Haiti, and so will you. A bond is formed. They know you.
“They know what your sponsorship does for them. They appreciate and soon come to love you for your help, and in turn, you love them for being a child of God.”
In Haiti, Bollinger said a majority of the schools are private – which means tuition is required.
“Considering that 80 percent of Haitians make less than $2 (US funds) per day, they can’t afford to send their children to school,” he explained. “Sponsorship is educating the next generation of Haitians, one of which could quite possibly be the next president of their country.”
Looking Towards the Summer
This summer, Bollinger will lead a team, comprised of people from Central UMC – Fayettevile and the northwest district, to Haiti to rebuild a home for one of his sponsored students – Feguens Sauveur.
Sauveur’s father was a miner and suffered severe injuries that ultimately took his life. Following his father’s death, Sauveur, 6, and his four siblings, have been living with relatives.
Bollinger’s goal for this trip is to bring a team from Northwest Arkansas to build a new home for Sauveur and his family.
The trip will take place from Monday, July 11 to Monday, July 18. A team of at least 10 to 12 men are needed for the construction of the home. Additional team members – including women – may be added to provide additional services in Haiti.
Bollinger said the construction team building the home is limited to men – because of the living arrangements available to the team during the three days they will spend in the remote village.
Women who travel with the team will be able to participate in other projects, which may include construction on a medical clinic, conducting a Bible school, serving on a medical team or helping with food relief efforts.
Bollinger hopes the team will not only live out the mandate from Matthew 25:31-40, to be the “hands and feet of Christ,” but also witness to the Haitians they come into contact with.
“If you have a heart for God and his people, you won’t regret going to Haiti,” Bollinger said. “You will be impacted beyond words. You will experience worship of our Lord in work, words and human interaction with a people group that is hungry for truth.
“But beyond your experience, the Haitians will be impacted physically and spiritually by your reflection of Christ. God is working mightily in Haiti.”
Bollinger said he believes that Haiti is in the beginning of a revival – and is truly a mission field in need of not only the love of Christ and the proclamation of his word.
Forming the Team
An second organizational meeting, is set for 5 p.m.,. Sunday, April 10, in Wesley Rm. 310, at Central UMC – Fayetteville. Participants will each be asked to raise $1,200 towards the trip costs. Bollinger said it will take at least $5,500 to build the home for his sponsored child.
Central UMC is located at 6 West Dickson Street in Fayetteville.
For more information, persons interested may contact Bollinger at johnibollinger@yahoo.com or visit www.missiontohaiti.org
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