This event is held annually in the spring by each ABC class to raise money for a charity of their choosing. At this year’s auction, members of the congregation and surrounding area donated baked goods, artwork and other items to sell in the live and silent auctions. 

The theme for the evening was “the Ambassador Awards.” Upon registering and receiving a numbered paddle, guests followed a red carpet into the main hall, which was decorated with streamers, film awards décor and tables filled with homemade treats. Art for sale lined the walls towards the stage. 

The live auction was broken up into three segments. Between each segment, students performed skits and songs. Autumn Boeland and Austin Jennings hosted the entertainment portion, and Bradley Bales and Justin Franke were the two auctioneers during the live auction. Attendees enjoyed the lively entertainment and were generous and supportive bidders.

This year, the ABC class chose to donate the proceeds to the building project in Haiti. Through the generous bidding in the charity auction, the class raised over $6,000. Students also set up a GoFundMe page for the Haiti Learning Center at www.gofundme.com/haiti-learning-center through which they raised an additional $2,200. 

Due to the rapid growth of the Haitian church, the relatively new congregation is in need of a larger meeting hall as they are overflowing their current meeting place. The goal of the project is twofold: one objective is to provide members a place to learn professional abilities (such as English and computer skills) during the week. In a country experiencing such high unemployment rates, having these skills can be crucial to obtaining a steady, longterm job in order to provide for families. The other objective is to enable church members to worship in a hall large enough to accommodate their growing numbers.

Here is a description of the needs in Haiti from Chuck Smith, senior pastor of the Caribbean region: 

“Mary and I just returned from an exhausting but successful trip to Haiti. On this 5-day, 4-night visit we were able to see the church building project up close and personal. The project is about 85-90 percent complete. On this trip we delivered the sound system and put it to use. We successfully had the new electric line wired into the new breaker box, then installed 110 new outlets on the interior walls along with nine ceiling fans. The interior walls are now painted and the church will start holding Sabbath services in the building this week. Some additional brackets and building ties will be installed this week as we prepare for hurricane season in the Caribbean. The steel doors have been installed and we are finishing the handrails for the stairway this week.

“The assembly hall comes at a time of pressing need. Our Bible Study last Friday was overflowing our 58-seat capacity with over 70 in attendance. The next morning for services there were 85 plus in attendance. We had a wonderful interactive service as the Haitian brethren took part in proving the history of Passover through the many scriptures in both the New and Old Testaments. There is a zeal and passion for God’s Way in this financially crippled country. We had five baptisms this trip with most having no Church of God background.

“It was a tiring but worthwhile visit as we hope to have everything completed on our next trip. We thank all for their prayers and support of this great work being done in Haiti. The Mirebalais congregation will keep the Passover and Days of Unleavened Bread for the first time. They are excited and eager to learn more by keeping God’s Holy Days and learning God’s plan of salvation not only for them but for the entire world. Please keep them in your prayers as they travel down ‘The Road To Eternal Life.’”

To read more about Chuck Smith’s travels in Haiti go here: http://ucghaiti.blogspot.com. 

The ABC class of 2019 would like to thank all of those who attended and participated in the Charity Auction to support their zealous fellow brothers and sisters in Christ in Haiti.