MFI's "Missionary Spotlight":

showing the people who are sharing the Gospel in the West Indies

October Spotlight - Burnell Pudwill

Burnell Pudwill and his late wife Delores first came to Haiti in July of 1974.  In December, after finishing a French study in Port au Prince, they continued to Petit Goave for a Creole study.  They became residents of Haiti in 1975 and were assigned to a mission in Port Margot, near Cap Haitien.  Their tasks included school administration and operation of a medical clinic.  Burnell assisted his wife, who was trained as a nurse, in performing over 100,000 minor surgical procedures over the years, including such procedures as teeth extractions. 

Burnell soon became concerned because of the lack of safe, clean water for the local people and began to hand-dig wells.  In 1994, he began using a rotary driller, and has drilled approximately 450 wells since that time.  Anyone who has spent any time in Haiti, or researched this issue, will immediately understand the dire need for water for the local people. 

As missionary Karen Davis explains:

"As far as the water goes… well, there isn’t a lot of places they can get safe drinking water, without buying it.  And most do that.  Some of the water they buy in bulk isn’t really safe, but it’s available.  I am not sure of the cost for that.  Then there is Culligan and places similar to that here.  For people to buy a 5 gallon jug of Culligan it’s now $12 Haitian (or about $1.50 American) at the stores.  So, putting it in perspective, the average yearly income is $350 American.  It’s out of the price range for most Haitians. In the outlying areas, it’s even worse.

Don (my husband) is out with Burnell today putting a well in near our Haitian pastor’s home.  The area he is in has NO water supply, good or bad.  Don took Burnell out there and showed him the area, and he immediately said, 'Let’s put a well in before I leave'.  So they are doing it today (October 5th)."

During the time that Burnell has been drilling wells for the people in the Cap Haitien area, he has employed young Haitian men, apprenticing them in the well drilling process.  He has been working with the same two young men for the last six years.  Burnell hopes that they will be able to carry on the work when he is no longer able, and that they will serve their communities for many years to come.    

Burnell Pudwill has spent the past 30 years ministering to people in Haiti.  To learn more about him and his ministry, friends and supporters may write to Burnell at the following mail address:

Burnell Pudwill
Unit 1014 - CSH
3170 Airmans Drive
Ft. Pierce, FL 34946