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Jul 27, 2015

Hundreds Gather in Haiti for Dedication of New Episcopal Church

 

Approximately 900 people from Florida, New York and Haiti attended the dedication of a newly built Episcopal church in Bondeau, Haiti, on July 12, 2015. The church’s primary sponsor was South Florida Haiti Project, a nonprofit outreach ministry based in South Florida. The Rt. Rev. Jean Zache Duracin, bishop of Haiti, led the service.

 

Duracin stressed the importance of the more than 10-year partnership between South Florida Haiti Project and the community of Bondeau. “This church will stand for generations and will be a symbol of peace, friendship and determination,” he said. “God has used South Florida Haiti Project to work with us here in Bondeau. We are one church, though we are from different countries and different backgrounds.”

 

The day-long dedication celebration also included special vocal and instrumental music, food and fellowship. Completed after three years of construction, Bon Samaritan Episcopal Church is the largest Episcopal Church in Haiti, with seating for approximately 800 people.

 

South Florida Haiti Project’s ministries in Bondeau also include a pre-school and primary school with more than 300 students, a developing secondary school, 40 housing units, a children’s home for 14 children, food assistance, sustainable solar power, clean water and medical missions.

 

Building a church allows South Florida Haiti Project to meet both physical and spiritual needs, a strategy Duracin also values for the Bondeau community. “After the 2010 earthquake, we fed the hungry, but like Jesus Christ’s disciples, we are also called to build churches,” Duracin said. “We are one in Jesus Christ, and we thank you so much.”

 

For more information, contact David Gury, treasurer of South Florida Haiti Project, at 561-212-8104 or , or Stephanie Anderson, communication and media coordinator at St. Gregory’s Episcopal Church, at 561-395-8285 or