Building for the Future, Caring for Today
Sunday, November 1, 2026 - [click here to support the continuing work at MOHI]
Today's update is from Taran
Sometimes ministry is about preparing for what comes next. Other times, it's about meeting someone right where they are.
This week, we're sharing a little of both.
In the Dominican Republic, we're taking important steps toward expanding our Mission House and creating more opportunities for people to come and serve. We're also looking ahead to some exciting HOPE Encounters in 2027.
And in Haiti, we're reminded that some of the most meaningful moments in ministry happen when someone who is hurting finds a person willing to listen, understand, and care.
Through all of these things, we're grateful for the ways God continues to open doors, bring people together, and provide opportunities to share His love.
Building for the Future: Help Us Raise the Roof!
Last week, we shared some of our vision for the future of the Mission House in Luperón, Dominican Republic, and the exciting steps we're taking to move that vision forward.
Today, we're excited to share more about the project and invite you to be part of making it happen!
For those who have visited us in the Dominican Republic, you know that the Mission House is much more than a place for visiting teams to stay.
It's where meals are prepared for children in our feeding programs, where our Bless Back Business Academy classes meet, where missionaries and teams stay, and where we host community gatherings, seminars, and special events. Our pharmacy also operates here.
In many ways, this property has become a central gathering place for so much of the ministry happening in the Dominican Republic.
And we believe God has even more in store for this space!
An Urgent Need and an Opportunity for the Future
When we purchased the property, we knew the roof would eventually need to be replaced. Unfortunately, that need has become increasingly urgent.
Significant leaks during heavy rains are affecting several rooms, causing damage inside the building. We need to address the problem before the damage becomes even more extensive.
But rather than simply replacing the existing roof, we're taking this opportunity to prepare for the future.
Our vision includes adding a third floor to the Mission House, creating additional accommodations for the growing number of people who want to come and serve alongside us.
We're also dreaming about ways this property can help visitors learn more about Haiti, its people, and its culture, especially while travel into Haiti remains so difficult.
By incorporating the structure for a future third floor into the roof replacement project, we can protect the building today while preparing for the ministry opportunities of tomorrow.
We're Ready to Move Forward!
We're grateful that several important pieces are already falling into place.
We've received the engineered plans for the new roof trusses, secured permission from the property's mortgage
holder, and have been working with our architect, Paul Fallon, to prepare for construction.
The estimated cost for this first phase is $155,000.
That includes removing the existing roof, constructing the exterior walls for the future third floor, and installing the new roof to protect the building from the elements.
Finishing the interior rooms on the third floor will be a separate project in the future. For now, our priority is protecting the ministry space we already have while laying the groundwork for future growth.
An Opportunity to Double Your Impact!
We're excited to share that a generous ministry partner has offered to match up to $10,000 in donations toward this project!
That means every dollar given toward the matching opportunity can be doubled, up to the $10,000 match limit.
A $100 gift becomes $200. A $500 gift becomes $1,000. And together, we have an opportunity to turn $10,000 in donations into $20,000 toward this important project!
Would you prayerfully consider making a special gift to help us replace the roof and prepare the Mission House for the future?
You can also mail a check to:
Mission of Hope InternationalP.O. Box 884Gardner, MA 01440
Please write "Mission House Roof" in the memo.
If you give through Fidelity Charitable, Benevity, or a similar charitable giving platform, you can recommend a gift to Mission of Hope International (EIN: 27-4126110).
More Than Just a Roof
When we think about this project, we don't just see lumber, walls, and roofing materials.
We see a place where people from different countries and cultures come together. Where children receive meals,
entrepreneurs develop new skills, missionaries find a place to rest, and relationships are built that continue long after a mission trip ends.
We see opportunities to welcome more teams, strengthen our work in the surrounding communities, and create space for the things God has planned for the future.
And we're grateful that we don't have to do it alone.
Thank you for your prayers, your friendship, and the many ways you continue to walk alongside us. We're excited to see what God will do through this next chapter of the Mission House!
Come Be Part of the Story:
HOPE Encounters in 2027
One of the things we love most about our work in the Dominican Republic is welcoming people who want to experience mission firsthand.
Some come with years of experience. Others are stepping into their very first mission trip. Some come with friends or family, while others arrive not knowing anyone.
But something special happens when people come together to serve, learn, and build relationships.
And we're excited about the opportunities ahead in 2027!
We have several upcoming HOPE Encounters, and we'd love for you to consider joining us.
January 9–15, 2027 | Everyone's Welcome HOPE Encounter
Have you ever wanted to go on a mission trip but didn't have a group to go with?
This trip is for you!
Our January HOPE Encounter is open to individuals, couples, friends, and small groups who want to join others for a week of service and connection in the Dominican Republic.
We'll be spending time with children in the villages, helping with children's programs, and working on construction projects at the Mission House.
It's a wonderful opportunity to experience the communities where MOHI serves, meet new people, and become part of something meaningful.
February 18–22, 2027 | Sun, Sea & Sisterhood Women's Retreat
Life wasn't meant to be lived alone.
Some seasons call for rest. Others call for growth, encouragement, or healing. And every season is better when we have people beside us who encourage us, support us, and challenge us to become who God created us to be.
Our Sun, Sea & Sisterhood Women's Retreat is an opportunity to step away from the demands of everyday life, connect with other women, and enjoy a time of encouragement and refreshment in the Dominican Republic.
Fall 2027 | Family HOPE Encounter
What if your next family trip could become an experience your children or grandchildren remember for years to come?
We're planning a special HOPE Encounter designed for families with young children.
This experience will combine opportunities to serve alongside the people of the Dominican Republic with intentional time to invest in your own family relationships.
The pace, activities, messages, service opportunities, and excursions will all be designed with families in mind.
It's an opportunity to create memories together while helping the next generation develop a heart for serving others.
Interested in joining us?
We'd love to help you find the right experience!
Email support@mohintl.org to learn more about any of these upcoming HOPE Encounters.
More Than Medicine: The Heart of Healthcare in Haiti
Imagine needing stitches for an injury, arriving at a hospital, and discovering that before a doctor can treat you, you first need to purchase the medical supplies they'll use.
For many people in Haiti, accessing medical care can involve challenges that are difficult for those of us in the United States to imagine.
Many hospitals and clinics operate with extremely limited resources. Basic supplies that we often take for granted, such as gauze, gloves, medications, and sutures, aren't always readily available.
I remember one particular situation involving someone who needed stitches.
After arriving at the hospital and paying for an initial examination, the patient was seen by a doctor who confirmed that stitches were necessary.
But before the procedure could begin, the doctor provided a list of supplies the patient would need to purchase.
Needles. Sutures. Gauze. Ointment. Even rubber gloves.
The patient then had to leave the hospital, go to a nearby pharmacy, purchase everything on the list, and return to pay for the procedure and wait for treatment.
All while holding a blood-soaked cloth against the wound.
It's difficult to imagine how overwhelming that experience must have been.
And while many healthcare professionals in Haiti work incredibly hard under challenging circumstances, the lack of resources can create a medical experience that feels transactional and impersonal.
For someone who is already hurting, frightened, or uncertain, those additional barriers can make an incredibly difficult situation even harder.
A Different Kind of Experience at MOHI
At our medical clinic in Thozin, Haiti, we want patients to experience something different.
Each morning, our nurses welcome patients with a smile. Before the clinic opens, the team shares a time of prayer and song.
From the moment someone arrives, our goal is for them to feel welcomed, respected, and cared for.
Our doctors and nurses take time to listen, ask questions, and understand what patients are experiencing.
Our head nurse often shares stories about people who come to MOHI after struggling to find answers or effective treatment elsewhere.
Sometimes, taking a little extra time to listen makes all the difference in understanding what someone is going through.
And that commitment to compassionate care extends beyond the examination room.
Relationships, Education, and Long-Term Care
There are several things that help make the MOHI clinic a special place.
Relationships matter. We want every patient to know they are more than a number. Our staff work to build trust and create an environment where people feel comfortable sharing their concerns.
Continuity of care matters. Thanks to our partnership with Bless Back Worldwide, we have an electronic medical records system that allows our team to track patient information across multiple visits and even years. This helps our doctors and nurses better understand medical histories and provide ongoing care.
Education matters. Our team doesn't simply want to treat an illness and send someone home. They want patients to understand their health, how to care for themselves, and what they can do to prevent future problems.
Sometimes that means spending extra time explaining a diagnosis. Other times, it means talking through practical changes a family can make at home.
And occasionally, it means helping someone navigate a situation they never expected to face.
The Importance of Taking Time to Listen
One story that stayed with me involved an elderly woman, around 75 years old, who came to the clinic believing she was pregnant.
She had taken a pregnancy test that showed a positive result, and she was convinced she had a baby growing inside her.
It would have been easy to dismiss her concerns or respond with disbelief.
But Nurse Cadet, our head nurse, took a different approach.
She listened patiently, spoke gently with the woman, and helped her understand that there might be another medical explanation for the test result.
The team referred her for additional testing, which revealed that she had a tumor.
It was difficult news, but what stood out to me most about the story wasn't simply the diagnosis.
It was the compassion Nurse Cadet showed throughout the conversation.
Here was a woman facing a frightening and confusing situation, and rather than being rushed through an appointment or made to feel embarrassed, she was treated with patience, kindness, and respect.
That's the kind of care we want every patient to experience.
Meet Nurse Cadet: A Heart for Helping Others
Nurse Cadet has been part of the MOHI medical team in Haiti for five years.
She serves as our head nurse and clinic administrator, helping oversee the daily operations of the clinic while ensuring that patients receive compassionate, quality care.
She's also a wife and mother of three children.
One of the things that continually stands out about Nurse Cadet is the time she invests in helping patients understand their health.
She has a heart for serving families and especially enjoys visiting villages where infants and children face significant challenges.
Earlier this year, during a malaria outbreak, Nurse Cadet and our medical team went beyond simply testing patients and prescribing medication.
They took time to explain how malaria spreads, answer questions, and discuss practical ways families could reduce their risk of mosquito exposure and future infections.
That kind of education is an important part of the care we provide.
Because sometimes the most valuable thing we can give someone isn't simply medicine.
It's knowledge. It's reassurance. It's the confidence that comes from understanding what's happening and knowing how to take the next step.
And it's the comfort of knowing someone genuinely cares.
We're grateful for Nurse Cadet and the entire medical team in Haiti, who continue to demonstrate that compassion, patience, and relationships are just as important as the medical services they provide.
Thank You for Being Part of the Journey
As we look at everything happening through MOHI, we're reminded that ministry takes many different forms.
Sometimes it's a construction project that will create opportunities for years to come.
Sometimes it's a mission trip that brings people together across cultures and communities.
And sometimes it's a nurse sitting with a patient, taking the time to listen, explain, and offer reassurance.
Each of these moments matters.
We're grateful for the many people God has brought alongside us—our staff, missionaries, volunteers, ministry partners, and faithful supporters who make this work possible.
Thank you for your prayers, your generosity, and your friendship.
We look forward to seeing what God has in store for the future, and we're grateful to be walking this journey together.
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