Friday at the National Palace, President Michel Martelly, decorated Pastor Wallace Turnbull (American origin, born in 1925), founder of the Conservative Baptist Mission of Haiti, with the Order of Honor and Merit, grade "Commandeur".

The ceremony, that took place in presence of the wife of the pastor, Mrs. Eleanor Turnbull, Mayors Pétion-Ville and Kenscoff, the Director General of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Worship, as well as members and family friends, was an opportunity for the Head of State to thank, on behalf of the Haitian Nation the Pastor Wallace Turbull for his important work in supporting the most vulnerable communities in the country for nearly 75 years.

Since 1946, the Conservative Baptist Mission of Haiti, established in 6 departments: North, Northeast, Northwest, West, Central and Artibonite, educates 68,000 students, and has to his credit many projects among others in the agriculture, reforestation, environment, crafts, sanitation, construction of access roads, community health centers, hospitals, schools, social housing and 400 churches...

"We did not want wait until the Pastor Wallace is no longer to remember his contribution to the development of the country. That is why I chose to honor his lifetime. Besides the fact that it has greatly contributed to strengthen the faith of many of our compatriots, he also saved countless lives through health care and medication he has made available to the poorest families needy, not to mention the many jobs he created. For all this and more, I want to say thank you," declared moved the President Martelly.

"It's not me you should thank, but the Lord," declared Pastor Wallace Turnbull before addressing thanks to President Martelly, to have thought to award him such a distinction. "If I die now, I will die happy because I lived in Haiti and I lived for Haiti."

HL/ HaitiLibre