Friend of the Honduran Mission, Bennie Rowe Passes Away Early this morning, October 6, God called our dear friend and His faithful servant, Benny Rowe (shown here in the yellow T-Shirt), home to be with Him. There is no doubt that by now he has heard the words. "Well done, my good, and faithful servant". Benny was actively involved throughout his life in many Christian endeavors, always looking to share his faith in Jesus Christ whether as a coach, principal, or Sunday School teacher. During the last 8 years he has been an active member of the Board of directors of AHMEN (Alabama-Honduras Medical and Education Network) continuing to look for ways to share his faith in Christ with the people of Honduras. He oversaw the fundraising and building by Mt. Vernon Baptist Church of a church building in Punta Piedra (Honduras) in 2005, he saw the need that year of draining a nearby swamp and did that in 2006 (the malaria rate dropped from 67% to 42%), then it was his idea to paint the local school which opened the door to the showing of "The Jesus Film" to over 600 children in 2007. Benny oversaw the fundraising for the land and later the building of a building to house the growing sewing school and future soup kitchen in Punta Piedra. One of his dreams yet to be seen is the daily operation of a soup kitchen for orphans in that building. He led Mt Vernon to support through their budget the bi-vocational pastor of the Church in Punta Piedra so he could work full time on the church field. Seeing the need for more training for pastors in the area led Benny to suggest and organize the first Pastor's Conference led by our pastor John Gates which is now in it's fourth year; training and equipping men in Biblical as well as pastoring skills. The Pastor's Conference is one activity that will have great long term effect on the spread of the gospel in Honduras. As a lifelong educator and High School principal, Benny believed that "education is the way out of poverty" and helped to obtain grants and matching funds for library books in Spanish. Then he personally and with the help of others went to Honduras to see the opening of libraries in nine villages in Honduras and the training of those that would be operating them. It was his passion to continue to see these libraries expand and more open in other villages. He was very insistent over his last dew days that no flowers be sent to his funeral. AHMEN has established a The Benny Rowe Memorial Library Fund which will be used to "sustain and enhance" the Honduras library projects he started and open new ones in villages without a library. Those wishing to make a one time donation or on a regular basis may send checks to: AHMEN 516 Ridgeview Drive Jasper, AL 35504 Please mark checks, "Benny Rowe Library Fund". This will be an ongoing fund to keep alive his dream of a library available to every child.. To those that wish to make regular contributions, be assured the money will go only to this use and receipts are sent at the end of the year. AHMEN is a tax deductible organization. We will miss you, Benny, Richard Bowie, President of AHMEN P.S. The funeral will be Saturday October 8th at Mount Vernon Baptist Church, on the Curry Highway, Jasper 35503. If you need directions, please call me. (205-221-6024). I will send out the details as soon as I know them. |