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The new school building BOARD MEMBERS: Our donation and correspondence address is: World Wide Gospel Association 4345 Ticknor Ave. Newton Falls, OH 44444 We expect soon to have a web page up and running with current pictures of the country, the people, and the programs. May God richly reward you.

Chairman: David S Hamer 4345 Ticknor Ave Newton Falls OH 44444 Phone: 330.872.7057

Eastern District Vice chairman: David Blowers Secretary/Treasurer: Bonnie Hamer 4345 Ticknor Ave Newton Falls OH 44444 [email protected] Member: Deborah Goodrich

Western District Vice Chairman: Stephen Speidel Assistant Secretary: Ralph Gault Assistant Treasury Jean McVey Editor: Jon McVey 3803 Ellston Pl Colorado Springs CO 80907 [email protected] Member: Lowell McVey

“On the road again,” with Willy and the mules...

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Figures taken from http://www.worldbank.org/data/countrydata/aag/hti_aag.pdf

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In 1981 Dorothy Gibson, an American lady, went to Labastille, Haiti to start a Children's home. Developing a love for the Haitian children she started gathering in orphans. For almost two years she lived in a small tent with two mud rooms for the children's quarters. She was an independent missionary and relied on the generosity of those who knew her and supported her work. In 1982/83 two small dormitories were built to house the children. These dormitories consisted of two rooms apiece. One dormitory had a larger room for the girls and a smaller room for a house parent. The other dormitory housed the boys along with their house parent. Progress was being made as these two small buildings had tin roofs instead of the usual palm leaves. In 1983/84 a larger dormitory was started. At the front of this home was a large room for Mom Gibson's living quarters while the rest of the home housed the children. Finances were tight so they moved into the larger home before it was completely finished. It was during those early years that a young boy named Jean Wilfrid Voltaire came to live at the home. He had a sense of responsibility about him and soon he was entrusted with many daily responsibilities in carrying on the many duties of the home. Sensing in this young lad leadership qualities and a deep spirituality "Mom Gibson" as she was affectionately called, sold some pigs given to her and raised finances to bring Wilfrid Voltaire to the United States where he was enrolled in the Bible Training School at Point .

Pleasant, WV. Watching Wilfrid's life, his integrity and recognizing his calling she felt he would be the one who would carry on the work started by her at Labastille; as by this time she had been diagnosed with cancer. In 1987 Dorothy Gibson passed away at a missionary convention held in Lancaster, Ohio. A board was formed to carry on the self-sacrificing work she had started in Haiti. This home was called "Mom Gibson's" in honor of her life and because of her love for the Haitian children. This board saw the graduation of Wilfrid Voltaire from the Training School. He was then placed in charge of the home as National Director. During the tenure of this board the Home was finished, properties were added to the compound, and a new church building was started and completed. These advancements were made by dedicated board members who sacrificed time and money and also made numerous trips to Haiti to build and finish construction projects. In 1994 the work was placed in the hands of a new board with members chosen over a broad geographical spectrum. Members of this board live in Colorado, Pennsylvania, and Ohio and consist of pastors, educators and professional people. However they all share a common goal of helping the less fortunate through resources, training, work ethics, education and spiritual instruction. Under this new and present board the work has advanced in many ways. A beautiful new large dormitory was built on the grounds. A new church property was purchased along the highway and a

steeple was built. The old church was turned into a community school where upwards of 200 children receive their education and training under the able tutelage of seven teachers. A new well has been drilled; remodeling has been done on the old mission home and headquarters; the walls have been laid for a new kitchen, dining room and food storage; a vehicle has been provided for transportation. All this has been done by donations from churches and businesses and by people like yourself who care. Today the vision goes on. We have expanded our out-reach. Property is purchased and plans for a new church and community school structure are being laid in Savanette. This church and out-reach program will be under the direction of Felix Delva. At the present he has a community school, a local church and out-stations in five other areas. We hope to include an orphanage in the near future. All these programs cost, of course. The Haitians with per capita income of $4801 (USD) per year cannot carry the full load. We need one-time donors and regular monthly donors like yourself and like many others who have rallied to help out this organization over the years. Donations are tax-deductible and will be receipted for you. Except for the expenses of publishing and mailing our bi-monthly newsletter, all donations go directly to the work in Haiti. We are giving to others as we have received. Your reward will be the satisfaction of having helped someone who in turn is helping others.