Guest Post by Ann Farquharson, Partner and Advocate for the School in Fort Jacques
Today, we’re thrilled to share a guest post from Ann Farquharson, whose unwavering dedication and journey of faith led her to start a partnership with ImpactHope to support the school in Fort Jacques, Haiti. Ann’s incredible story spans over 30 years of mission work in Haiti, where she and her husband, David, dedicated their lives to teaching, training, and uplifting communities in need. Now, her passion lives on through Vision of Grace Ministries, where she continues to serve Haiti’s children.
PART 1
From Canada to Haiti: Ann Farquharson’s Journey of Faith and Service
In October of 1985, my husband David and I came across a magazine called Missionary Tidings, which featured stories of missionaries around the world. We often read it separately, discussing articles that inspired us. But this time, we felt a deep pull toward one particular issue, even though we didn’t talk about it until December. By January, we were in contact with a mission organization, planning to teach… in China! Yet, by June, we found ourselves on a very different path, headed instead to Haiti.
God’s Redirection to Haiti
Our initial plan to go to China fell through when it turned out we didn’t meet the specific qualifications required for the teaching roles there. However, we discovered there were seven other missionary schools worldwide looking for educators like us. Haiti stood out, as we had already sponsored a child attending school in Dessalines. It felt right. So we signed a two-year contract to teach at Quisqueya Christian School in Port-au-Prince, Haiti. Little did we know, our two years in Haiti would turn into a thirty-year journey, only returning to Canada after we retired.
Finding Purpose Beyond the Classroom
Though we taught at a school serving missionaries’ children and families who could afford tuition, our hearts were drawn to the people outside those walls. In our neighborhood, at 4,500 feet above sea level, I found joy in walking, chatting with new friends, and even surprising some with my ability to speak their language. David spent his free time repairing computers for missionaries, while I trained local teachers, taught English, and helped establish schools in remote mountain areas. Every shopping trip for groceries became an adventure, as we bargained with vendors on the streets, embracing the vibrant life of Haiti.
One of the most impactful parts of my time there was praying alongside Pastor Manius. Spending whole days on prayer walks with him, seeing his unwavering faith, gave me strength and renewed my commitment to our mission. Being able to lend a helping hand and offer friendship to those around us was a privilege we cherished.
God’s Provision Along the Way
We began our missionary work with the Free Methodist Church as VISA (Volunteers in Service Abroad) personnel, raising our own support. Though we didn’t actively seek financial aid, our school paid us a small stipend, and we managed to live within our means. After ten years, when our church organization couldn’t provide further support, we decided to become independent missionaries. Despite the financial uncertainty, we never explicitly asked for money; we simply shared our story, trusting God to provide.
One evening, just before we were due to fly back to Haiti, David and I sat down to count our money and found we had only $25 to last us three weeks. That same night, during dinner, someone handed us a check for $3,000. God’s timing is always perfect, and He continued to provide what we needed at every turn.
(to be continued in Part 2)
How You Can Help
Stay tuned for Part 2, where Ann will recount some of the most inspiring moments of her missionary work and the enduring impact of seeds planted decades ago.
Support the school in Haiti by giving a gift or signing up for a monthly partnership at https://impacthope.ca/haiti. (CAD and USD)
