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As our first update in the year 2023, it feels like we should say Happy New Year. But, seeing that we are halfway through the second month, that probably wouldn’t really be appropriate! So, we will say, we hope that your year has gotten off to a good start.
While the situation in Haiti continues to be unsettled and unpredictable, we are trying to get back to some semblance of normalcy. Our kids started school again at the end of November, and now there is a big scramble to try and catch the kids up on the months they missed. Since it was only going to be part of a year of school anyway, we kept our youngest ones home to do home school with them. They will start the 2nd year of kindergarten next year in the community schools, hopefully.
The students who are either in university or professional training in the cities are having a harder time. Their classes are hit-and-miss depending on the security situation at any given moment. As you can imagine, this has added much stress and frustration to their learning experience. Not only do they have to navigate the unrest and security threats around them, but their amount of time in their respective programs is getting stretched out so long. Some have gotten very discouraged and could use your prayers as they press on.
Due to the difficulties in our shipping options, the school supplies were late in arriving this year. They actually arrived on Christmas weekend! In reality, they arrived but the Christmas gifts didn’t--good thing our kids are flexible! They all got school supplies for their Christmas presents. You can see by the smiles, they didn’t mind too much!
And then, after much patience on their part, the Christmas gifts arrived at the end of January, so it was like having Christmas twice! By far the favorite gifts this year were the roller blades and roller skates our church from Pennsylvania sent down. They get shared around, and everyone enjoys them. One of the kids has already had to get stitches after a fall! But, that hasn’t taken away the excitement.
Now, as the year is moving forward, we continue with our daily activities. These are made harder by the ever increasing inflation and the rise in the cost of services because of it. The economic situation in Haiti together with the security issues makes a place like the HOH all the more necessary. Children with severe malnutrition arrive at our home regularily as do neighbors and friends in need. We are so blessed to have a Father who knows our needs and the needs of those around us, and who supplies for those needs through people like you all.
Thank you so much for your prayers and support in these difficult times. Please continue to pray for these things:
Pray for Linda and the other leaders. They need wisdom to know how to deal with the issues that come up each day. While we have what we need, we definitely do not have enough to help everyone with their needs and that puts a lot of stress on them to use the resources we have been given wisely.
Pray for Jenny as she spends the next few months traveling to visit our partners, friends and supporters. She will be traveling in the North East USA and Southern Ontario & Quebec, so if anyone is interested in meeting up with her, check in and see if she will be in your area.
Pray for our students who live in the more difficult areas of Haiti. Pray for those who are discouraged by the events taking place in Haiti, pray that they would be able to fix their eyes on Jesus, the source of their hope. Pray for those who are not discouraged, that they would renew their strength each day in the Lord and shine like a light for Him where He has them at this moment in their lives.
Pray for Haiti and for the leadership. Pray for the hearts of these leaders, gang members and those creating this chaos to be changed and to come to really know Jesus and seek to make positive changes in the country instead of seeking their own benefit. Thank God for all those Christian leaders who remain in the country because they want to do what they can to help the situation, pray for security for them and that they would be able to have fruitful ministry in this time of trouble.
We appreciate all of you who keep in touch with us and pray on a regular basis. If you would like more frequent updates either by email (houseofhopehaiti1@gmail.com) or as a part of our Facebook group (https://www.facebook.com/groups/houseofhopehaiti1/), just let us know.