Haiti Outreaches

Part of passing on the Faith to younger generations is exposing them to missions opportunities. And that’s exactly what Bill and Karen did when recently they took a team of 16 college and high school students and adults to Haiti.

This excerpt from a Mission Impossible newsletter says it all:

Dear Friends:

What a week! I would call it an evangelism explosion!

Bill Prays with one of Haitian people in one of the many villages the team visited.

Bill Rudge who sponsors the former witch-doctor, Jacques Innocent, came back to Haiti again. He brought with him a group of young evangelists. Most of their time was spent going up and down the mountain roads sharing the gospel of Jesus. Many souls were won!

Six witch-doctors were visited and given the Good News. Most responded to their love and concern in a positive way.

The highlight was the morning that Jacques’ lady friend [who had also been deeply involved in voodoo] gave her heart to Jesus. At the end of the week, both were baptized in water and joined in marriage.

Bettie Snyder, Founder & Director of Mission Possible

We ministered in about 20 villages. When we would begin singing, the people would gather. Then we would join hands and pray.

We ministered in Word and deed ... and recreation. With a make shift ping pong table, and other basic equipment, we mixed laughter with making disciples.

A Haitian boy is curious about B.J. Rudges' leg brace.

Jacques, the former witch-doctor, who was a “feared killing machine” gave his life to Christ in March 1993 while Bill and his team shared with him at his hut.

Our Haiti III Outreach was a great success due to the prayers and financial gifts of our friends and supporters.

“Red and yellow black and white, they are precious in His sight. Jesus loves the little children of the world.”

In spite of an injured knee BJ Rudge walked many miles over rough terrain wearing a leg brace which was itself a witness to the Haitians.

We were the first team to come to Mission Possible since the embargo was lifted, and the Haitians were deeply appreciative and open to the Gospel.

Our youth were moved with compassion as we traveled to remote villages and ministered to children in word, song, and games. (From Haiti 3)

Nothing can move a heart more than a first-hand encounter with an impoverished third world country full of hurting people who need the Lord. On this 4th outreach to Haiti, our youth were eye-witnesses to the dynamic work of the Holy Spirit as the Bill Rudge Ministries team worked at bringing the Gospel and the love of Jesus to many people steeped in voodoo and superstition.

Bill baptizes Jacques and
Chalesia Innocent

God opened the door for Bill and his team to proclaim the Good News to six voodoo witch-doctors and to minister in various places throughout Haiti: in the St. Marc area with Mission Possible; in Gonaives with Pastor Nordeus and also the Eben-Ezer Mission (about 500 people at Sunday morning service); and in Cap Haitian with Pastor Boisrond of the Salvation Army. Bill and the team also spoke in schools, did village ministry, and held a special sport’s evangelism outreach for youth.

We appreciate all those who prayed that the Lord would greatly anoint, empower, and protect us — He faithfully did!

Special Thanks to the many individuals and groups who prayed for us, donated finances, clothes, suitcases, food, and many other items, and packed suitcases for us to take to Haiti; and to those who operated the ministry in our absence.

Haiti Five Outreach

With God All Things Are Possible
by Rosemary Lozier

This was the fifth mission trip to Haiti for Bill Rudge Ministries and certainly one of the most challenging and tremendous trips to this foreign land. It was during the imminent war with Iraq that the Lord called three men from America to go to a people who desperately needed to hear the Good News of Jesus Christ.

The team, Bill Rudge, Mike Anderson, and Bruce Lozier, faced much danger and uncertainty because of two things that permeate the country of Haiti: poverty and voodoo.

The men were warned several times by the mission in Haiti to cancel, as there was much unrest and violence in Haiti. Bill, however, assured them that he had promised Jacques (the former witch doctor) that he would return, and he felt compelled to keep his word. Mike and Bruce, also knew God was calling them to go and that He would take care of the rest.

While in Haiti, God led them to minister to the people in Port-au-Prince, St. Marc, and Gonaives. They traveled five hours over some of the bumpiest and dustiest roads they have ever been on with no stop signs, guardrails, or speed limit. Even though they were warned by many Haitians not to go to Gonaives because it is the center of political unrest, they obeyed God and went. The team spoke in schools and churches to hundreds of youth and adults. They gave away hundreds of Bill's books and cassettes, Bibles, clothes, medical and office supplies, soccer balls and also met with many pastors and leaders concerning future crusades and training.

Awesome Service in the Jungle

One of the most awesome services was conducted in the jungle where Bruce Lozier and Jacques shared their testimonies and Bill's message focused on the miracle of Jacques' conversion. The remote thatched church was packed with over 300 youth and adults inside and outside. Fingers could be seen spreading the thatch as little eyeballs peered through, hungry to hear the message. The Spirit of the Lord was deeply felt.

Some of the dangers they faced while in Haiti included being stopped at a road block by several men on the road to Gonaives who demanded money. A dangerous gang known as "The Cannibals" were conducting voodoo ceremonies only 100 yards from where Bill and his team were staying. However, it was the covering of the Lord through the support of many prayers and God's promise that made the success of this mission possible.

Only as Good as Your Word

Several people asked if Bill should cancel his fifth trip to Haiti because of the potential danger. He responded, "When the Lord leads me to do something, circumstances do not determine whether I change it or not. If circumstances determined my course, my ministry would have ended its first year." As Bill's son, BJ said, "I would rather see my father die in God's will than live outside of it."

In spite of three attempts by the mission to cancel the outreach, the imminent threat of war with Iraq, and many other obstacles, the Haiti trip was a tremendous one. Bill felt compelled to persevere because he had promised Jacques that he would return.

In Bruce Lozier's words: "I told Bill Rudge when he spoke at Lakeside E.C. Church that I would like to go on a short-term mission trip. He said that I would be well-suited for the upcoming Haiti trip. I was a little taken back, but after much prayer with my best friend and wife, Rosemary, we concluded that it was God's will. The opportunity to serve God in Haiti was awesome and a life-changing experience. I count it a blessing and an honor to have been chosen to be a part of the Bill Rudge Ministries' team. A special thank you to all the people who prayed for us and supported us. We felt your prayers. We faced real dangers many times and I know that it was the covering of the Lord and the support through prayer that made the difference."

Bruce returned from his first mission trip with a thankful heart and a new appreciation of God's many blessings to us who live in America and a willingness to continue to serve the Lord wherever He leads.

In Mike Anderson's words: "It was about three years ago that God put Haiti on my heart. It was no coincidence that in October of 2000, I met Bill Rudge in California about 30 minutes from my house at a seminar he was giving exposing New Age deceptions. I know without a doubt that God intended for Bill and me to meet. Bill was planning his fifth trip to Haiti and God wanted me to go with him."

Mike left Haiti knowing that he was called to ministry there. As Mike said, "Yes, it is true, 'With God all things are possible.' " Please pray for Mike as he prayerfully considers future opportunities to serve the Lord in Haiti.

Bill and his wife, Karen, continue to faithfully serve the Lord full-time in many parts of the world and to reach as many of the lost and dying as they can.

Jacques

During Jacques' testimony, he told of dreams that he had. The first dream was that a white missionary was going to come to share the good news of Jesus Christ with him. In the dream, he was told that if he did not accept Jesus as Lord that he would soon die. One day this dream was fulfilled when the Bill Rudge ministry team returned to Haiti and Bill Rudge had the blessed opportunity to lead Jacques to Jesus Christ. This was the beginning of a lifelong friendship between these two men as well.

The second dream that Jacques shared was that Satan came to him and told him that he was going to make him a very wealthy man, but first he had to denounce Christ and serve Satan. As proof of his allegiance to Satan, he had to thrust his hand through a dark hole. Jacques refused and his response was that he was through with all of that and he said, "I serve Jesus now."

The team then escorted Jacques back to his home a mile from the Mission Possible school. Hearts were heavy as they said their farewells. They had greatly enjoyed their time together with this brother in Christ. Bruce and Mike had heard many stories about Jacques before coming to Haiti. They were elated to get to know him and hear his testimony. They were greatly encouraged to see how God turned this man's life around.

From Left: Bruce Lozier, Bill Rudge & Mike Anderson pause for a photo on the street of a poor neighborhood in Port-au-Prince.

The reason for our mission trip is reflected on the face of this Haitian woman.

A glimpse of life for the people in Haiti.

Some of the teachers, town leaders and pastors at Gonaives. Pausing for a photo after the meeting with the team concerning help for an upcoming crusade.