Haiti...A Time to Grieve, Pray and Rejoice

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Haiti...A Time to Grieve

These past several months have been challenging...so challenging that we needed to give ourselves time to grieve.

We grieve because:

....gang violence has escalated and the rippling effects of suffering that it brings saddens our hearts.

We grieve because

....this past Monday, the gangs invaded Mirebalais and we received calls from pastors running into the bushes with the children to hide-scared for their lives. Yet there was nothing we could do but pray fervently for their safety.

We grieve because:

...our dear Ana who served our family and short-term teams well in Jeremie passed away in January from health issues.

We grieve because:

...Pastor Amos' wife passed away in early January, three months after giving birth to their first child.

We grieve because:

...our communities are hungry and asking for assistance while ESMI has 3 containers of food in Port-au-Prince but our ministry partner is unable to give clearance for pick-up due to safety issues.

We grieve because:

...gangs have the audacity to force people out of their homes, leaving families homeless and only with what's on their backs.

We grieve because:

....ministry in Haiti cannot be the same moving forward.

But we do not grieve as people without hope.

When the righteous cry for help, the LORD hears

and delivers them out of their troubles.

The LORD is near to the brokenhearted

and saves the crushed in spirit.

~Psalm 34:17-18

Haiti...A Time to Pray

The God we serve hears and answers prayers. Nothing is impossible for Him to accomplish. The challenges brought on by the gangs and instability of the country are hateful and hostile but God is able to deliver His people.

Pray with us...

To meet the ongoing need for food. Our communities in Les Cayes, Gonaives, Mirebalais and Jeremie are in need. With ESMI containers stuck in Port-au-Prince, we have to think of another way to get food to our pastors for their communities. The plan: buy all food locally for distribution. Food prices have increased significantly and is limited due to gangs blocking the roads at strategic points and demanding high compensation for food trucks to pass into communities.

FOOD DRIVE

$60,000 Raised

$40,000 More Needed

Pray for God's provision of the balance by mid-March

For a reprieve in the current situation so containers can be picked up safely and distributed to meet the many needs across the island. ESMI's goal is to provide 8 million meals throughtout this year, as the Lord allows.

For peace and stability in Haiti, and for plans to move forward for presidential elections.

To provide houses for 28 families in Mirebalais whose homes were forcibly taken by gangs.

For physical safety for our pastors as they serve.

For 10 pastors who need motorcyles at a cost of $1,300 per motocycle.

For 12 new churches to be planted in 2024

For continued provision for the 53 schools serving 9,000 students

For preparations for General Assembly in Jeremie, May 20 - May 24.

For ongoing leadership development in Haiti, Canada, Dominican Republic and Florida.

Haiti...A Time to Rejoice

Psalm 34:17-18, reminds us of the hymn, "It Is No Secret What God Can Do." Yes, Haiti is indeed going through challenging times but God is still in the business of changing lives and providing for His people.

Rejoice with us...

403 people have come to know the Lord in January throughout the 5 presbyteries. The preaching and reading of the Word is making a difference. God is providing hope for His people. It's always encouraging to see young people come to know the Lord and be excited about serving Him. Photo attached.

A Time to Rejoice...

Pastor Ezechiel in Gonaives sharing the Gosepl in Word and deed. By meeting the physical need, it opens the door for him to meet their spiritual need. The mother with her eight children, photo attached, commented that this provision was like manna from heaven. For six days, she and her children were eating green mangoes.

A Time to Rejoice...Graduation in the Dominican Republic

January 18, 2024, graduation day for these 25 men who have been trained over the past 4 years.

A Time to Rejoice...Deseaux Church: Church Plant between Two Gang-Controlled Cities

It's all by God's grace and protection that this church plant was built in December 2023 between two gang-controlled cities. As the Gospel is preached, God is using this church to bring about great transformation. Lives are being changed. Weddings performed and familes baptized into the faith.

A Time to Rejoice...Youth Center at El Shaddai Community Church, Winter Haven, FL

We praise the Lord that all the material for the youth center arrived, the county has given permit to proceed, and in three weeks, Lord's willing, the structure should be installed. It has been a challenge to reach this point, but God has provided all the way. Please pray that God will make provision for the electrical and mechanical work to be done. Theses are the next big steps to complete the building.

The structure will be used to reach the second generation immigrants through sports, added classroom for the current school on the campus, and evening school for new immigrants with a focus on English as a Second Language (ESL).

Thank You

Thank you for partnering with us both in the good and bad times of ministry. When we think that God is not working or answering our prayers, we are blown away by what He has done in the past and what He is still doing now. It is a joy to serve the Lord with you. Thank you for your prayers and faithful financial contribution in 2023.

To Him be the glory!