MFI's "Missionary Spotlight":

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

November Spotlight - Bob and Barbara Ramsey

Bob and Barbara Ramsey first came to Haiti in 2000.  Their home church in Florida had asked for people with skills who might want to go on a short-term missions trip to Haiti. Bob, who was an auto mechanic, went with the group and repaired his first missionary vehicle.  After a few more short-term visits, they moved to Haiti in 2001.

The Ramseys now live in Cap Haitien in a small upstairs apartment that is part of an orphanage complex.  Bob's workshop is below their apartment.  They live a modest life, without many of the conveniences of American life such as consistent electric service.  Their laundry is done by hand at an outside faucet with a battery or generator powered pump system (above left).  Bob maintains the orphanage generator that provides power when the Haitian electric service is not available (which is most of the time!). 

Missionaries in Haiti face difficult conditions, and one of these is the conditions of the roads.  Even in the second largest city in Haiti (Cap Haitien), the roads are barely navigable.  The broken pavement, washed out dirt roads, frequent flooding, and choking dust are extremely harsh on missionary vehicles.  Obeying the Great Commission in Haiti is nearly impossible without a working vehicle. 

From shuttling work teams and transporting school children, to drilling wells in remote village areas, the missionaries rely on Bob's expertise to keep them on the road, spreading the Gospel. 

The tools needed to operate an automotive and machine repair shop in a country like Haiti are unique and extensive.  Parts are difficult to acquire, so Bob often makes things by hand.  Other parts are purchased in the States and shipped in by MFI.  Another important piece of Bob's work is repairing and maintaining the much-needed generators used by the missions community.  And finally, Bob is also responsible for repair work for the MFI vehicles while he is in the States.  Barbara works at Bob's side, keeping track of the jobs, the parts, and the books.

During the time that Bob and Barb have been in Haiti, they have seen first-hand the physical and spiritual challenges of the work being done in this poverty-stricken land.  Just as MFI plays a crucial role in supporting the missionaries, Bob and Barb have left all and dedicated their God-given gifts to fill a need. 

Bob and Barbara Ramsey have spent the past 5 years serving the missionaries in Haiti.  To learn more about them and their ministry, friends and supporters may write to the Ramseys at the following mail and e-mail addresses:

Bob and Barbara Ramsey
Unit 1077 - CHCH
3170 Airmans Drive
Ft. Pierce, FL 34946
E-mail: randbramsey@hotmail.com