Missionary Questionaire for Reports for Book

Hello. To be to the point, we would really like to bring this Haiti book to completion. We have a fair amount of material, (approx.150 pgs.) and after reading it it is still fairly scattered and now we need to give the book more structure and bring it together.  For one we have very little about
1. Any of the congregations on the West End
2. We need more on the ‘94[?] Ferry that went down
3. We need  material on Fond Michelle, Fond Parisien, Ganthier
4.  CSI or CPS experiences
5. Any news clippings or experiences appreciated on hurricanes, etc. unrest.

The outline of the book is
1. Haiti History
2. Haiti Church and Mission History
3. An Overview of the congregations of Haiti, how they got started, etc.
4. CSI and CPS
5. Other Church Projects, Clinics and TB Work
6. Hurricane and Earthquake

I know we we are a busy people and our  time is so valuable. However a certain amount has to do with priorities. Presently I run a ice cream shop, build game and cattle fence everyday, and have a wife and two boys and 23 acres to take care of. I come home literally sweat soaked from head to toe from  Alabama summer temperatures. I do not say this to boast in any way, but for some reason it just seems right  that this book is needed. It has felt good to be involved in this project and if God and the Church wants a book like this I will give my best to it. I feel for some reason that it does some kind of justice to our brethren in Haiti. Try as I might I just want to do something for them as I cannot forget them, my brethren. I believe you perhaps in even a more personal  degree know what I am trying to express.
The purpose of this book is to inform, inspire, and remind our brethren about the Great Commission especially as it relates to Haiti. It is not going to be depicted as a glory road, but as a work which we need God’s everyday direction and grace. All this said it is life and if you have some humorous incidents please put them in also.
These questions are to help you write a report quickly and effectively for the book so we can have uniform information on each congregation or outpost. It also allows us to present it in such a way that we can make it come more alive than dry stats to some one who has never been there.
If you can type it on computer and e-mail it---Hooray. Send it to jonluketws@gmail.com
If you can fax it send it to 334-289-8843
If you can mail it 2828 Co Rd 10, Newbern AL 36765
My phone number 334-624-4765
If it is typed we can scan it into our files, but we won’t cry if you must hand write it.
Thank-You very much and may you be blessed for anything you contribute.




Missionary Out Post Questions-so we can have a report on for sure all existing congregations--feel free to add if you so desire

Questions  [A sentence, paragraph or a page is acceptable per question, If you cannot answer it -so goes.The goal is what you can get done a couple hrs Sunday afternoon ;) ]

A. Setting

1. What is the Area Like? (terrain, etc.)

2. Are there any notable Landmarks that would strike a visitor? [Bridge, road,store, Where would you be sure to take your company?etc.]

3.What would be the main source of livelihood for the people and brethren there---If farmers what would they grow?

4.Is there anything that would make this place unique or special to Haiti?

5. What were your first impressions there?

B. Mission Work

1.What was the form of work that you were there for? outreach, support for congregation, CSI?

2. How much time did you spend there?

3. Were the people receptive to your presence or message? What was your approach to reaching out to the community?

4.What was the attendance like?

5.Do you know who are some of the first members? [Or even how it got started?]

6. Was the area you were in dominated by superstitions--Was that a challenge to deal with? What were some of the other challenges?

7.High Points or experience that made being there a blessing.

8.Could you list any of the missionaries before you or after you in that outpost?

9. In your experience as a missionary what word of advice would you give to someone wanting to give time as a missionary?

Progress Report on Haiti Book

I have heard from the Haiti Reunion in Greenland that they gave me the green light on completing this project. For those interested I will give here a little report here to what is going on.

1. As you can see on this blog-- my part has been trying to brush up on my Haiti history and come up with more illustrations.

2. I have been phoning different individuals to bring new areas and congregations up to date

A. Ouanaminthe-- Shandon Koehn
B. Villa -- Milton Jantz
C. Oriani-- I need to contact Anthony Penner/ Clinton Holdemon
D. Savon Mouton--I need to contact Russell Toews
E.  Preville-- I need something on this area. Visited Wes Koehn's here in 2007
I also contacted
E. Thomassique--Mark Stoll who gave me a hint that there is a booklet written on this congregation and Hinche.
F. Hinche--Gregg Wenger helped write that booklet and so I contacted him to see if he had a copy.
G. Lovingt Area--Talked to Raymond Withers and he has submitted material in the past and is willing to give more if possible before going back to Haiti.

3.If any one knows of the history of these or other congregations--please let me know. I need more on the West End --Jeremie Area. Really to be honest-- if you have anything on your particular area it would be appreciated.

4. The book will most likely have these parts:

A. History of Haiti
B. Early History of the Church in Haiti
C. The Histories of Different Congregations and Areas
D. Missionary Experiences
F. CSI and CPS Work and Experiences
G. Various other Humanitarian and Medical projects , etc.

5. I need Experiences of CSI and CPS boys-- a record of their special projects and highlights with the purpose to inform and enthuse potential volunteers. Tell how you felt called to serve, a highlight or two, advise, whatever you are led to share. Essay size letters can be written in a hour or two, Sunday afternoon.

6. I am thinking of different ways to get people to contribute, If I get enough leads I will even send individuals letters with questions to answer and go from there if necessary. I will warn you I have a tendancy to be persistant and am not scared to phone half the Yearbook if that is what it takes.

7. I just know that a book on Haiti is overdue and is important for dedicated workers of the future to learn from past inspirations, successes, and faliures. To know the spirit of the book I recommend Irvy Goossens Go and Tell. Reading that book has only reconfirmed convictions I have had troubles expressing in words in the past. Thank-You

The French Settle St. Domingue which is now Haiti

The French sent a governor to western Hispaniola to see if they could not tame and settle the bucaneers into  peaceful planters and claim what is now Haiti for France. They sent a former bucaneer Bertrand d'Ogeron in 1665. He set up his seat of government in Port-de-Paix. The colony would become known as St. Domingue. In ten years he was successful in bringing 2,500 immigrants to the island and for setting up tobacco farming as the major crop. There was still pirate raids launched from St. Domingue as well as  Spanish and English raids that devestated this new colony. It was not till 1697 that St. Domingue was officially recognized as French territory.  

SUGAR AND SLAVES

At first the majority of settlers were Frenchmen, but as time continued slaves were brought in to help in the cultivation of sugar. Thousands of Africans were brought to the colony yearly to work on clearing the land, planting and harvesting this crop. To establish sugar plantations was a big investment and required a lot of capital to build mills and buildings to prepare, refine and store the sugar. The work was very demanding and required many slaves to plant and cut the cane. Such plantations appeared as little towns spread across the valleys. Coffee was grown on smaller plantations scattered in the mountains. As times got more settled toward the end of the 1600's till the Haitian Revolution 1791 the importance of sugar increased until France considered St.Domingue it's most valuable colony.