Part 1: The Good

Let me tell you about a man who has brought me so much inspiration.  His name is Tony Jones.  His obedience to God is unbelievable.  God is using him to radically change this country.  But he has not always been a missionary.  In the middle of his life, God came to him.  He had an established career, a big house, lots of cars, and nice expensive things. (Isn’t that what most Americans strive for? Makes me want to puke.)  After God finally got through to him he submitted his life to serve God.  He sold his stuff and moved to Cuba.  After a few sweet, amazing years in Cuba he was kicked out.  This is when Haiti comes into the picture.   After much confirmation he obeyed God and moved to Haiti.  He has lived here for six years.  He doesn’t like it here, but he knows God wants him here (is that obedience, or what). 

He has created a successful coffee business (morethancoffee.org).  You should definitely check it out if you are a coffee drinker.  He uses the profits to reach the mountain people.  He was the first white person they had ever seen.  He asked if they knew Jesus, and they said who?  He continued to spend time up there and develop relationships.  He began to see the way Haiti worked.  He began to learn about the Invisible World (which I’ll tell you about in my next blog, part 2).  He found out the teachers were working for nearly nothing.  And the children, although the children were getting “sponsored” by people all over the world, they were not really getting sponsored.  They were not going to school.  People were paying 30, 40, 50 dollars a month for a child that isn’t even aware.  He/she doesn’t even go to school.  So Tony found a way to use his coffee profits to provide education and the word of Jesus. 

He provides many children with the money it takes to go to school (He said it ranges around 20USD per child for admission, books, 2 uniforms, and supplies).  He provides an income for the teachers.  The only requirement is they have to pray, share a bible story, and sing a song of praise with their class every day.  Parents would walk their students to school and stand outside the class to listen to the bible stories they had never heard.  There was such a thing as a God that was good and that loved them?  They needed to know more.  Tony continues to see many teachers, many parents, and many children come to know Jesus.  He continues to reach schools all over the mountains.  One school he goes to monthly is a 2 hour drive and an 8 hour mule ride! 
Aside from the school ministries, he is also doing other things to share Jesus with the people of Grand Goave.  This man’s trust and obedience in Jesus is incredible.  If you’re looking for an organization where your money really does make a difference, this is one, I guarantee you.  I met the man himself behind the business, I listened to him, I saw his heart. 

In my next blog, part 2 I will share with you the other side of Haiti that Tony has seen.  I hope you choose to read but I will warn you now it’s not an uplifting blog like this one.