Haitian man travels to Bluffton share God's story in his life

A Haitian evangelist who works for the Bluffton-based Christian nonprofit Loving Shepherd Ministries visited Bluffton Thursday and Friday, and he told his story of growing up in a dirt-floor house while eating with ants, his initial attempt to escape the country, the time he was told he was HIV positive, and how God has worked through it all to help his country's orphaned and at-risk children.

Learn more about his story in the Saturday, Nov. 16, and Monday, Nov. 17, News-Banner.

And learn more about the county's different nonprofits from the list below. (Note that the information was compiled earlier this year, and some of it might be out of date)

• AFH (A Friend’s House) Ministries,  1001 South Clark Ave., Bluffton. 877-821-5556, Fax 260-824-5165 or helpforwomen.net
• Alcoholics Anonymous. First Church of Christ, 909 West Spring Street,  Bluffton,  Annex Building, 9 a.m. Mondays. More information at 260-820-0871. (Free WOW bus service to meetings available.)
• Alcoholics Anonymous. Epworth United Methodist Church, 1204 West Cherry, Bluffton 7 p.m. Wednesdays and 9 a.m. Saturdays. More information at 260-820-0871.
• American Red Cross of Northeast Indiana, 1-800-513-2599, for disaster assistance dial 628. James S. Beckstein, local contact at 260-638-4673. Blood Services and Class Information at 1-800-RED CROSS.
• Big Brothers Big Sisters, Northeast Indiana, 1005 East Rudisill, Fort Wayne 46807, 888-456-1600. Josette Rider, executive director.
• Boys & Girls Club -- Wells Community Boys & Girls Club Inc., 1410 South Wayne St., 260-824-5070. Lisa Christen, executive director.
• Cancer Services of Northeast Indiana, Inc., 6316 Mutual Dr., Fort Wayne, 46825. 260-484-9560 or 866-484-9560 (toll free) or www.cancer-services.org
• Citizens Against Drug Abuse of Wells County Inc., P.O. Box 89, Bluffton, IN 46714. Greg Werich, president. Info at 260-824-6412 or www.wellscounty.org/cada.htm
• Community & Family Services, 1100 South Main St., 3rd floor, Bluffton Regional Medical Center South, Bluffton. 260-824-4836. Pat Shelley, community services specialist.
• Family Centered Services, 123 South Marion St., P.O. Box 207, Bluffton. 260-824-8574, FAX 260-824-2790. www.familycenteredservices.org
• Food Bank -- Wells County. 1254 South Main St., P.O. Box 186, Bluffton, 260-827-0053. Connie Kaehr & Jodi Pfister.
• Family LifeCare, 265 West Water St., Berne, IN 46711, serving 13 counties including Wells. 1-800-355-2817.
• Loving Shepherd Ministries, 112 North Marion St., Bluffton. 260-824-9000.
• Mental Health Assoc. of Wells County, (Behavior & Recovery Resource Center of Wells County), 223 West Washington St., Bluffton. Sharon McMillan, president. 260-824-1514.
• Salvation Army of  Wells Co., extension service, emergency assistance, Pastor Neil Ainsle, 260-273-0089
• United Way of Wells County, 122 LaMar St., Suite 118, Bluffton, 260-824-5589. FAX 260-824-2217. Pamela Beckford, executive director. www.unitedwaywells.org
• Wells County Foundation, 360 North Main St., Suite C, Bluffton, 260-824-8620. Tammy Slater, executive director. www.wellscountyfound.org
• Wells County Habitat for Humanity, GBM Bldg., Suite 116, La Mar St., Bluffton. 260-353-3333. Jeff Dotterer, president, 260-824-4640.
• Youth for Christ Adams, Blackford, Grant, Jay Wells Counties, 1515 Sutton Circle Dr. North (setback street from St. Rd. 1 north), P.O. Box 431, Bluffton. 260-824-1330.
• YMCA, Wells County, 1935 North Main St.. Bluffton. Jon Jenkins, executive director. (260) 565-YMCA (9622) or www.fwymca.org