12/16/2016
Hello Family and Friends,
Thank you for reading this. I am so humbled and appreciative of your prayerful, financial support. I have completed two trips to Haiti as a part of the Mission to International Pastors initiative. This has really been a God thing as He has provided so much for these trips along with all the materials.
Let me give just a quick overview. August of 2014 was my initial visit to the northwest mountains of Haiti. Carolyn and Terry were great hosts and mentors (both years) of getting me started and helping me to address the needs of Pastors and the children of an orphanage.
There were two major objectives of this trip: To provide a four-day workshop for pastors and provide needed materials for the orphanage. My topics for two days was “Our Identity in Christ” and the other two days we had an “open forum” of listening to the pastors express their questions on theological issues, particularly those that are formed by tradition. I was able to make some visits with two pastors to homebound members. (There were others who went along as well.)
I spent time on two different days with the children. They are so hungry for love and attention. Very few of them will be adopted which is sad. There is a great need for food, clothing, school supplies, and toiletries. For my first trip, I took a large duffle bag full of toiletries. There was a need for food immediately. I purchased a goat and a friend purchased bags of rice for immediate consumption. While there, the pastor (director) of the orphanage expressed his desire to develop a herd of goats and pigs. I left behind funds for him to purchase two goats and two pigs.
Between August 2014 and August 2015, you, the children/adults of Crossroads Baptist, and myself purchased a number of goats. The pastor and children were delighted that people cared so much for them. The children prayed everyday thanking God for the food that was going to be provided.
This mission trip this year took on many different elements. I decided to conduct a pastor/wives workshop which was quite interesting. An added feature was offering one-on-one sessions for Pastors to allow them to speak privately about concerns/problems they were having personally or with their church. They battle false theology in the church and voodoo in the community. I had 17 pastors sign up and one married couple. I visited the orphanage twice to spend time with the children. There was a pastor who asked me to come to his church building site to pray that God would provide the material and construction workers. Many are trying to get construction for their churches.
As far as funding, here is what you helped me do. I was able to buy 25 Bible concordances for the Pastors in their own language. Something they would never buy for themselves. For the wives, I took 25 sets of hand to elbow oven mitts for them to use with iron pots over a fire. The ladies at Crossroads made some oven mitts and collected sacks full of lotion packets, facial tissue packets, and some school supplies.
For the orphanage, I finished up the herd of goats(6) and pigs (3), purchased a mattress so a Pastor’s children would not have to sleep on the dirt and rocks, provided two months tuition for a college student who had no money (she was a former orphan), and bought two batteries for the solar panels of my interpreter.
Some meaningful events was leading the pastors in the Lord’s Supper and officiating at a wedding, both American style. I spoke once as a Biblical character in costume for the children, once for the pastors, and for two worship services. The pastors support a water stand in the market and share Jesus with those who will listen. I had the privilege of leading a girl to pray and receive Christ. And, as always, Terry and Carolyn were great hosts.
As you can see the trip was full. With that going on, God placed another opportunity in my path--a mission trip to the Philippines in March 2016. This will be a vision/awareness trip to learn some about the culture, meet pastors, and learn their needs. I will be working with two pastors. For one, I will speak in this church worship time. I will be leading a Pastors/wives conference and spend some large group time in discussing pastoral issues they face which will be a foundation for another trip in 2017 if God provides. The other pastor leads an organization that minister to pastors in remote areas by providing books, clothing, financial aid, and some seminary training. There is a section of the community that has orphans. Their plan is to build an orphanage as soon as possible. And then, if the Lord provides, I will go back to Haiti in September.
The tentative cost for these two trips is around $5500.
If you can be a prayer warrior, pray for God’s provisions and God’s blessing on Pastors, wives, churches, and children.
If you would like to give a donation, the information is given below. Now would be a great time for an end of the year contribution.
Thank you for reading this and partnering with me. Blessings to you.
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I certainly believe God will provide and He will use His people in the process. God blesses generous people. Below is my contact information as well as giving information.
Contact Information Giving Information
Gregory T. Bunn Make checks out to:
1911 Northwood Crossroads Baptist Church
Bolivar, Mo 656513 "Bunn-Intl. Pastors" in the memo
417-236-3092 (Cell) 1935 S. Ash
gtbunn@windstream.net Buffalo, Mo. 65622
Contribution sheets will be sent
out after the first of the year.
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