Haiti is one of the poorest countries in the world and the poorest in the Americas. Raising funds there for Bible work presents significant challenges.
Dr Mireille Peck, member of the Haitian Bible Society's Board, wearing a 'biblical' costume during the Bible Festival in Saint-Marc in December 2011.
For many years, funds raised during the Bible Festival that takes place across the country on the second Sunday in December remained steady at around 330,000 Haitian gourdes (US$7,096). But in 2011, this sum more than doubled to in excess of 708,000 gourdes (US$17,515).
A developing relationship
The growth in fundraising income is an indication of the way in which the relationship between the Bible Society and the Churches has changed since the earthquake two years ago. The Churches now realise that the Bible Society is not just a Bible bookshop: it is there to serve them and to stand by them in times of difficulty. Furthermore, its various holistic programs – literacy or psychological support for students affected by the earthquake, for example – are making a contribution to transforming Haiti.
But the Society is also putting more and more effort into ensuring that the Bible Festival is a success. Beginning in mid-November, it runs a week of radio programmes to pave the way.
Radio programmes and competitions
“During these programmes, I explain the Bible Society’s ministry,” says Marie-Carme Dérivois, head of fundraising and Church relations at the Bible Society.
Scouts marching in the streets of Saint-Marc during the Bible Festival in December 2011.
“For the last few years, I’ve also been inviting some of our partners, such as the Protestant Federation, Défi Michée (a Christian anti-poverty movement) and Scripture Union. Their involvement lends weight to my contribution: they explain why people should read the Bible, why people should support the Bible Society… This allows us to have more credibility and visibility among various audiences.”
The Society also holds radio-based competitions. Across the country, listeners answer questions about the Bible in the hope of winning Bibles and other biblical materials supplied by the Bible Society.
Evangelisation or seminars
Churches each prepare for the Bible Festival in their own way: some, like those in Cap Haïtien for example, organise evangelisation weeks during which they distribute Portions and Selections, while others, like those in Saint-Marc, run Bible seminars.
On Bible Festival day, the participating churches hold two celebrations: one in their own parish in the morning and one with neighbouring parishes in the afternoon. This year, a team from the Bible Society went to Saint-Marc at the invitation of Scripture Union and Church groups which had organised the Bible Festival in the town.
A brass band in Saint-Marc
A brass band marching in the streets of Saint-Marc during the Bible Festival in December 2011.
“It really was a wonderful celebration,” says Mrs Dérivois. “A brass band and a group of scouts marched in the streets to promote the Bible Festival. The celebration itself was held at the Eben-Ezer Baptist church.
“One of the most significant aspects of the event was a series of readings by young people. The General Secretary, Mrs Victor, spoke on this year’s theme: ‘What am I to do with Jesus, who is called the Messiah?’ And then an appeal was made for donations as a demonstration of gratitude for the fact that God has given us the Bible in our language, Haitian créole.”
So what are the challenges for 2012? To do even better than in 2011. To encourage all Haitians to read the Bible, to continue to promote the Bible Society’s ministry across the country and to raise even more funds to allow it to continue to develop!”
View of Saint-Marc.
