Haitian Supper Fundraiser April 22 in Sugarcreek

Haitian rice and beans, fried chicken, spicy cabbage relish, red beet salad — a simple yet authentic Haitian meal with a mixture of American cuisine. It was an idea that launched nine years ago when Lenord and Trish Bonnegre from Haiti cooked up the first Haitian Dinner Fundraiser and served it to the community with 280 people attending.

“We felt surprised mostly but also excited that there was so much interest in an event like this,” Trish Bonnegre said.

Now there are more then 800 people who attend the yearly event. the Bonnegres feel blessed people take the time to come enjoy the Haitian meal that has helped fund their ministry in Haiti.

All are invited to attend the event on Friday, April 22 from 4-8 p.m. at Maranatha Church just south of Sugarcreek, along state Route 93. Dine-in and take-out will both begin at 4 p.m.

Trish Bonnegre was raised in the larger Holmes County area and met Lenord Bonnegre in Haiti over 20 years ago. They married in 2010, and together they launched Restoring Lives Ministry to serve the Haitian people through church, pastoral training and providing education to the youth and children. They provide school payroll for their local school, which enables teachers to receive a steady monthly income and provides a Christian education to the community.

Every other Saturday they have Kid’s Club, reaching around 80 children in the area. They recently held a Bible quiz competition that included seven different youth groups from around the area. Everyone worked hard at memorizing and studying the Bible to prepare for the six weeks of quizzing. They also established a worship team consisting of local youth with musical talents who participate in local crusades and church events.

The call to the ministry came to Lenord Bonnegre’s life in his late teens. “I want to see the church progress spiritually,” he said of his ministry vision.

Though the call to the ministry was clear, Lenord Bonnegre endured frustration of how to work it out. After much discouragement and limited resources, he began exploring options of how he can serve people in the states and use it as an avenue to raise funds to help his own people in the village of Passé boi d’ormes (pronounced Paws-Bwadom) in Haiti.

Each year the crowd attending the fundraiser has grown, and the positive response serves as an encouragement to Lenord and Trish Bonnegre. They feel like each attendee somehow becomes a part of the ministry to bring freedom, deliverance and hope to the people of the island of Haiti. The Bonnegres want to say thank you to the many who have contributed over the years to make this event a success.

Most of the food is prepared in the same Haitian style Lenord Bonnegre grew up with. Many people from the larger Holmes and Tuscarawas areas have visited Haiti on mission-related endeavors, and this gives an opportunity to reconnect with the tastes, culture and ministry on the island. All guests are welcome to dine for a freewill donation to benefit the ministry.

This year’s event will include a raffle and children’s games.

For more information call Trish Bonnegre at 330-934-8698.