BLUE RIDGE INTERNATIONAL FOR CHRIST

Vol. 31 No. 1 April 2016

HAITIDOMINICANREPUBLIC

Greetings from Haiti, I’ve been working in the office since last October, keeping

track of the daily expenses, taking new well projects, and helping the administrator keep on top of things. I see every aspect of Blue Ridge’s work as it comes through the office: well drilling projects, the two schools, church support, and the Leogane girls’ programs. Several local orphanages and individuals also stop by from time to time to see if we’re able to offer any support.

F o r m e r administrators Paul and Frieda Beachy were here from January to March. Since Dan Ziegler’s term ended in December, we were very glad Paul was able to fill in to keep things running smoothly for a few months as we continue to look for a new administrator.

Over the last several months, we’ve had an infusion of short term visitors escaping from the cold winter up north. This week we’re hosting a large workgroup that will tackle some work projects here on the compound, including reinvigorating some rooms and the outside of the office building with new

coats of paint.When visitors

come, I often change dollars to Haitian gourdes for them. Over the last five months, the value of the gourde has fallen about twenty percent against the dollar, so that a twenty dollar bill

that would have gotten you a thousand gourdes in October,

Greetings from the Dominican Republic. If you have ever visited here and return again you will notice that our country road that was full (you can’t imagine how full!) of pot holes is now a beautiful two lane highway with guardrails, lines, reflectors, lovely flowers and bushes beside it, winding all the way to Rancho Arriba.

Come take a tour with us this quarter to the Christian school in Juan Adrian situated behind our church and clinic. Carlos Ortiz has the Math, Science and English classes in the first room. Willy Valdez is in the next classroom, teaching language, writing, and history classes. Manuel Rojas is in the third classroom teaching 1st and 2nd. Rhonda Gingerich has her cute little classroom in a Sunday school room in the church with James Miller’s children and Gloria is tutoring math in the other classroom. They have a challenge as they took on some special students that were not doing so well in the public schools. Undisciplined parents or a child living without father or mother in the home have contributed to children with poor study habits, and little respect for authority. We also

have underprivileged Haitian children around us who haven’t previously had a chance to be educated. We are trying to provide a quality, Christian education to our church children and others around us. Our school needs

prayers as this is a huge challenge when the children are so undisciplined and needy.

Let’s also take a trip to Rancho Arriba. The new road is

Monday morning prayer with the employees.

Carlos Teaching

Paul talking with a lady from church.

Carlos & the Christian couple in Rancho Arriba.

M I S S I O N S I N S I G H T

BLUE RIDGE INTERNATIONAL FOR CHRIST

Continued on page 2

will now get you 1,200. For a Haitian, however, a thousand gourdes note will get only sixteen dollars and change now. This drop is particularly felt because Haiti is a country that relies largely on imports, including the staple food, rice, much of which is grown in Arkansas.

Thank you for remembering us and Haiti and for supporting us as we try to do God’s work.

-Chris Coblentz

almost finished, making the trip which was once a long, rough, dusty climb, much smoother, shorter and pleasant. We still have to ford a sizable river and drive back in which is what keeps this community so remote. Willy and Carlos and Gloria and sometimes other brothers go up every weekend, most times on Friday afternoon. We spend a little time walking the small village, visiting people, handing out l i t e r a t u r e , letting people know about the church service. The Christian couple, Antonio and Margarita hosts us each weekend. We try to help with food and expenses. At 7 we have a service in the small chapel, they and our churches built together. If the electric is off or the lights do not work we use candles and flashlights. Usually 20-30 people attend, and their attentiveness keep us going week after week, sowing the seeds and hoping for more converts. Space here does not permit to tell of the Spirit-ism we have encountered and the darkness these people live in. We have definitely had opposition from the evil one as we invade the darkness. After supper, fellowship, and a night’s rest we awake to a crisp, cool morning. Willy has a children’s class Saturday mornings. Willy has a heart for children and they love him dearly. Carlos has also tried to teach Antonio to read, but with sickness in the family and his many responsibilities, they didn’t get very far.

We, Carlos and Gloria, desire that God’s kingdom would continue to grow. We plan to return to Puerto Rica and help the church there after this school term. We, especially Gloria, will always have a piece of her heart in the DR with these people. We want to be where ever God wants us and love working in his kingdom wherever he wants us.

For His glory, Carlos and Gloria Ortiz

Apple Cutting in Virginia!

The community of Stuarts Draft has been generously supplying Blue Ridge with dried apples for the past 50 years. On average forty-five volunteers show up one night a week during the Fall harvest season (September

- November) to peel and cut up the apples. Paul and Barbara Hershberger make the 45 minute trip over the mountain to pick up the apples. Trent & Marie Showalter and Jesse & Mary Ellen Hershberger dry the apples in a big drying bin. They do 200 bushel a year resulting in twelve 55 gallon drums a year. It takes thirty hours from start to finish for the apple to go through the whole process. A big THANK YOU to the Stuarts Draft community for their time and generosity in sharing with the people of Haiti!

1. Load of apples ready to be cut and peeled

3. Apple cutting 5. Apples being dumped into the dryer

for drying2. Cutting the apples 4. Buckets of apples

waiting to be cut6. Apples in the dryer

The photos below show the step-by-step process of drying apples:

A SPECIAL THANK-YOU

Mme Jean & Janelle in the kitchen preparing lunch.

Yanik starting laundry.

The school at recess

Manuel having devotions at school.

Staff Opportunities:• A couple for Administrator (Haiti) -

Now• Fellow for pump repair - Now

• Mechanic - June

Foster Program Update for Newsletter March 2016Many girls on the Foster Program like Isema (in the picture) come from a very

poor family. Some girls have only one living parent. Others may live with a relative. Our goal and purpose for the Foster Program is to reach out and give these girls a chance in life. A chance to go to school. A chance to learn about God. A chance to survive. With support from our sponsors we are able to pay the tuition for 91 girls, plus provide books, tablets, pencils, erasers, shoes, and uniforms for each of them. They also receive a backpack to protect and carry their books to school. The backpacks are donated from various individuals from the states and sent down on our container.

The Foster girls also profit some medical aid and a monthly assembly where we have a time of worship, Bible teaching, and games. Our Haitian staff has been trained to teach and organize this time together.

We’d especially like to thank our sponsors and each one of you who has taken an interest in the work in Haiti. Please pray for the work here. May God be praised!

Lenord and Trish Bonnegre

Jesus said, “Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of heaven belongs to such as these.” Matthew 19:14

Life is very difficult here in Haiti. Many times the parents don’t have enough financially to meet the basic needs of their children in giving them food and paying for their schooling. Because of the financial strain many children are not able to go to school, and it puts the lives of the children in a lot of danger. Many times these children are victims of their situations. Because of your support and compassion there are some girls of Haiti that have hope, and their future looks brighter. Because of you they are able to fulfill their dreams.

Here are the recent happening in the yard here at Leogane. The girls have been in their second trimester of school. The last couple of weeks have been used in studying for their exams. They had about a week of exams, and are now having their Easter break. There are different activities planned throughout the week some times of socializing and others times of learning. These times of learning are tools that they will take back to their homes to use. They will be learning how to make embroidered sandals by hand and having computer classes. Ever since the beginning of the year they have been doing computer classes so this will just be a continuation. We will be going to visit an orphanage close by. It is a good experience for them to get out and visit other orphanages to relate with others in the same situation as them.

We said good bye to Amber Schmucker after being here at Leogane a little over a year. We welcomed Rhonda Wagler back again to our staff. She will be helping out with the domestics.

The most important thing you can give to the girls is your prayers. Spiritually they need to grow so much. Pray that they would allow God to heal their past and heal their hearts. Thanks for your support!

Dadi and Angela Bonnegre

ToothbrushToothpasteShampooSoap2 WashclothsCombFingernail clipper, etc.(Wrap in bath towel)

Health KitsRubber Pants2 Onesies2 Gowns or sleepers4 DiapersBaby BottleLotionBaby WashPowder, etc.(Wrap in 2 blankets with safety pins)

Layette Bundles

We can use a lot of Health Kits, and Layette Bundles.

SEWING GROUPS...

L E O G A N E

Blue Ridge International For Christc/o Phil Gingerich7580 Converse Huff RdPlain City, OH 43064

ADDRESS SERVICE REQUESTED

Enclosed is my gift:

__ Haiti Mission Support

__ Foster Program ($25 a month per child)

__ School Program ($10 a month per child)

__ Dominican Republic Support

__ Use Where Most Needed

__ Well Drilling

__ Employee Housing Project

Mail To: Dale Wagler 570 S 700 E Montgomery, IN 47558

Name

Address

Board Members ofBLUE RIDGE INTERNATIONAL FOR CHRIST

CHAIRMAN: Elmer Stoltzfus 1952 Middle Rd., Middleburg, PA 17862 570-837-9092VICE CHAIRMAN: Dan Otto8038 East 400 N., Kokomo, IN 765-628-2960SECRETARY: Jadon Smoker5861 Zook Lane, Gap, PA 074 717-490-0670TREASURER: Dale Wagler 570 S 700 E, Montgomery, IN 47558 812-486-3402LEGAL AGENT: Mike Yutzy2199 CR 140 Sugarcreek, OH 44681330-231-5329 CIRCULATION MANAGER: Phil Gingerich7580 Converse Huff Rd., Plain City, OH 43064614-873-4879CONTRIBUTING MEMBER: Eli Mast Jr.2551 CR 168, Dundee, OH 44624 330-893-3099PASTORAL COMMITTEEGeorge Stoltzfus, Middleburg, PA, 570-922-4919Steve Stoltzfus, Kennedyville, MD, 410-348-5147Jason Gingerich, Sarasota, FL, 941-924-6130Philip Beiler, Narvon, PA, 717-435-0564

Haiti Personnel:

Simeon & Melanie Shankster & Family

Church leader

Matt & Alicia Newcomer & Family

Well Driller

Janelle Troyer - Domestics

Chris Coblentz - Office Manager

Larry Newcomer - Well Driller’s Assistant

Delmar Schrock - Maintenance

Lenord & Trish Bonnegre -

Children’s Home

Dadi & Ang Bonnegre - Foster Program

Rhonda Wagler - Domestics

Dominican Republic Personnel:

Merle and Mary Yoder - Pastor

James and Amy Miller - Administrator

Anita Hershberger - Nurse

Amanda Kauffman - Pharmacist

Carlos & Gloria Ortiz - Teacher

Rhonda Gingerich - Teacher

PLACESTAMP HERE

Haiti Address:Unit 2096 BRIC3170 Airmans DriveFt. Pierce, FL 34946Email: bricbase@yahoo.com

Leogane Children's Home Address:Unit 2096 BRIC3170 Airmans DriveFt. Pierce, FL 34946Email: bricleogane@yahoo.com

Dominican Republic Address:Workers NameGeneral DeliveryPiedra Blanca, BonaoDominican RepublicPh. 809-325-6107 / 809-280-5628Email: bricdr@agapemail.com

Prayer Requests:• Safety and well being of employees

• Growth of the church in Rancho Arriba

• Church in Santo

A special Thank-you to: Amber Schmucker - for willingly serving in Leogane as secretary.

Dan & Wendy Ziegler & girls - for serving as Administrator in Port for two years.

Mike Mullet - for your dedicated service on the pump repair program.

Paul & Freida Beachy - for willingly filling in as Administrator for several months.