June 28, 2010 – Atlanta, Georgia, United States…[Libna Stevens/IAD]
Day six at Inter-America’s exhibit booth at the Georgia World Congress Center in Atlanta, brought in many visitors to see what colorful gifts the Haitian Union and Guatemala Union were featuring.
Haitian Union
With more than 335,000 Seventh-day Adventists, the Haitian Union is the second largest church region of Inter-America. Located on the Isla Espanola, Haiti continues to grow every month, even in the midst of adversity, church leaders say.
“We are a people who believe in God even though sometimes it is said about the influence of voodooism, but Haitian people are a religious people,” says Emmanuel Benoit, general manager of the Adventist Voix de L’esperance radio station in Haiti.
Benoit attributes that strong belief in God as the reason why the church is growing more and more in Haiti.
“We dream about our children, getting educated and being successful,” said a woman who was born in Haiti but now lives in the United States.
Although the church was affected by the destructive earthquake which hit the country in January, churches are being rebuilt, and Adventists schools are back in session.
Dozens of souvenirs and native art were distributed to exhibit booth.
Guatemala Union
With its more than 209,000 Seventh-day Adventists and some 688 churches and congregations, the Guatemala Union is comprised of six local fields.
With a rich mix of cultures, more than 22 dialects, Guatemala has a cosmopolitan city with a mix of the old and the modern, as well as a thirst for the truth, church leaders said.
With more than three million people, Guatemala City has three church fields which continue to make strides to reach people with the gospel.
Among the gifts distributed included at the Guatemala Union stand included traditional art, pens, keychains, and more.
To view a video report of today’s activity at the Inter-American Division exhibit, click here
