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Back in Haiti
Summer Experiences & Hurricanes!
When I put our summer schedule on the website last May I really had no true
idea about the amount of traveling we would be doing this summer. But when the
rubber actually hit the road I was just amazed.
Most of our traveling was done without Jessica since she had a packed
schedule of her own to deal with. She worked as a cashier at the North American
Convention. Later she traveled with the Park Place youth group to Mexico, where
they led a Bible School for the children at the Church of God in Saltillo. She
had a great time and especially enjoyed the Mexican children. Next the youth
group continued to San Antonio, Texas for the Church of God International Youth
Convention. She had a great time there also and found another of the places she
“loves,” San Antonio. Another of her treks took her to Chicago with her sister
Jacquie.
In between all this she got to catch up on life with her special friend
Elena. We did get her to come with us to one of our churches in Nitro, West
Virginia, and also to Meadow Park Church of God in Columbus, Ohio, the last
place where we spoke. Enough about her!
The first part of our summer was spent primarily in Anderson at the North
American Convention. During this we took part in various conferences, worship
experiences, and presentations. Also during that time we traveled on the
weekends to some Living Link Churches that were close to Anderson. One other
very important thing that we do soon after coming into the US is to meet with
various persons at Church of God Ministries and Global Missions to report on our
ministry, go over our budget, Living Link support status, Project Link status,
and to coordinate our summer travels.
With most of these prerequisites completed the REAL travel began. From July
1st through August 10th we put more then 6500 miles on our
rental car. We traveled from church to church, telling our stories of what was
happening in our ministry in Haiti, showing our video, and just getting to know
more about the churches and individuals who not only support us financially but
also keep us in their thoughts and prayers throughout the year.
So, what did we learn in all our travels? We were very impressed that even
though most of the churches we visited were less than 150 in number (one was a
handful of people in a storefront church) they were very interested in our work.
They felt a part of our ministry, and they were committed to the cause of
Christ in their neighborhoods and even beyond. We were treated so well! Most
of them went out of their way make us comfortable, fed us far too well, and made
sure they showed us around their town and church that they were so proud of.
Finally I need to say how humbled we were by the open reception we
received. I don’t count myself as much of a public speaker but when we
presented our lives and work to those we met we simply felt accepted and
appreciated. I don’t know how it could have been any better. Well, maybe if I
had eaten less, but that’s my fault.
 What’s
happening now?
We returned to Haiti on August 20th just after Hurricane Fay had
passed and was in process of drowning Florida. Luckily, we were able to skirt
around Fay, get into Miami, and out to Port-au-Prince. We were late into Port,
but looking back that was a blessing. The workers at the airport had to stay
late so they didn’t want to do anything to keep us from exiting the airport
quickly. I think it was the fastest we ever got through immigration, baggage
claim, and customs.
The past couple weeks have been spent getting life and the house back in
order. Jodie and Jessica started back to school the morning after we landed. I
started the clinics the following Monday the 25th and was happy to
find that Eden, who could do no clinics last summer due to her poor health, had
not missed one during this summer. She had done over 250 consultations by
herself and made it there by Tap-Tap (Haitian public transportation, which is
not easy in itself. The clinics are back on schedule and going well.
We have also had a couple days to stay around the house and get a few things
done, due to the passing of Hurricane Gustav. Jodie and Jessica had two “rain
days” but are happy to be back to school.
A Prayer Concern:
The weather. Haiti has been through a couple hurricanes this summer in
which they lost more than 100 persons to landslides and flooding, and the season
is not even near ending. As I type there are at least 5 hurricanes or tropical
depressions in the Caribbean that could escalate into hurricanes. Know that
because we live on the west side of a mountain and live in a cement block home
we personally don’t feel in any danger from these storms. For us they are more
of a nuisance than something to fear. But for most Haitians who don’t have the
resources that we do they are often devastating. These are the people we were
called here to serve. Please pray about their situation when you pray.
 Living-Link
Living-Link is a program whereby churches and individuals can give tax free
donations which go to our family’s personal support here in Haiti. Some of this
money is used by us personally for daily needs, and wants, some for things that
make it possible for us to carry out the clinic ministry here such as our office
and car, and medical equipment expenses, some is used for our medical insurance,
continuing education, and travel funds so we can visit and give first hand
reports to those who give to keep us here.
At present we have approximately 97% of our Living-Link budget committed to
us but Church of God Global Missions desire us to have approximately 110% in
order to make sure we’re covered for increases in things like insurance, and
cost of living, etc. As a Living-Link supporting church, the church commits a
designated amount of money per month or per year and for that commitment we, the
missionaries, commit to report on the ministry with our Living-Link partner at
least four times a year and make a personal visit to the church at least once
every five years.
To you our living link supporters please accept our sincere thanks for
making it possible to us to live in here in Haiti serving the Church, the poor
and needy of this land, and Christ. We know that many of you give very
sacrificially for us and we are humbled by your generosity.
If you or your church would be interested in becoming a Living-Link partner
please call Candice Powers at the Church of God Global Missions
(1-800-848-2464). She will be glad to assist you.
If you would like to give individually toward our personal support please
send these funds to :
Church of God Ministries
PO Box 2420
Anderson IN 46018
On the memo line of each check please write LL#42.10001 John Ackerman
We've added some new photos of the beauty of
Haiti. Check them out here!
Contact Information
The Ackermans are Career Missionaries with the Church of
God (Anderson, IN) and would love to hear from you. Their mail in Haiti is
delivered by Agape Flights, Inc. You can write to or email the Ackerman family at the
addresses below.
- Postal address
John, Jodie and Jessica Ackerman
c/o
Agape Flights #237
100 Airport Ave.
Venice, FL 34285-3901
- Email
- John, Jodie and Jessica
Ackerman
-
- Financial Support
- The Ackerman's work is supported by contributions from many individuals and Church of God
congregations. Despite the widespread poverty in Haiti, it is expensive to
support missions work there. We appreciate your tax deductible gift and
commit to using it wisely. Donations may be sent to:
Global Missions
Church of God Ministries
-
PO Box 2420, Anderson, Indiana,
46018-2420
or call (800) 848-2464, ext. 2129
Please be sure to specify the John Ackerman family and
use Project Number 42.10001 in your gift.
For a gift toward projects at the Prospere Medical Clinics, use
Project #42.30233- Haiti Prospere Clinics
Click here for a list of minor things needed
which will go a long way (perfect for children and Sunday School classes)
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