Celebrating Agriculture, Provision, and Hope

2 hours ago
6 min read

Updated: 1 minute ago

Sunday, May 3, 2026 - [click here to support the continuing work at MOHI]

Today's update is from Jonathan and Taran

This past week in Haiti, communities celebrated Agriculture and Labor Day—a day set aside to honor the farmers and workers who play such a vital role in sustaining everyday life.

At our school in Sentetyen, students participated in a special activity recognizing the importance of agriculture in Haitian culture. Through hands-on learning and celebration, they were reminded of something deeply meaningful: the work of providing food and caring for the land is both valuable and essential.

In a country where so many families rely on agriculture for their livelihood, this day carries real significance. It is about more than work—it is about dignity, provision, and community.

Students in Thozin also joined in the celebration, dressing up and participating in activities that highlighted the importance of this day.

Moments like these matter. Our students are not only growing academically, but also learning to value the role they can play in their families and communities.

As we reflect on this, we are reminded that education, nutrition, and opportunity are all connected. When we invest in children today, we are helping build a stronger, more sustainable future for tomorrow.

Haiti Updates

Encouragement Through Presence

Lex is back in Haiti this week, and it is always a blessing for the staff and students to have him present.

He had the opportunity to meet with several groups, including speaking to the NS4 students and sharing MOHI’s vision as they prepare to graduate. These moments of encouragement and direction are deeply meaningful for the students as they look toward their future.

Strengthening Infrastructure

This week, we began a major upgrade to the electrical system at the Thozin campus.

We are installing a new solar and battery system—an essential step forward as power has become increasingly unreliable. The previous system had been repaired many times and could no longer sustain the needs of the campus.

Access to fuel has also become extremely difficult. On one of Lex’s recent trips, the only way to obtain gas was through informal street sales, as gas stations were completely out.

This new solar system will provide a more stable and sustainable source of power, allowing the school, clinic, and ministry to continue operating effectively.

Improving Communication and Care

Our administrative team has been working diligently to update class lists and student records.

We are moving toward a more centralized electronic system between the U.S. and Haiti, which will greatly improve communication—especially between sponsors and their children.

Roseland shared how excited she is for this system to better support connection and updates moving forward.

A Reminder of Why This Matters

Monday morning, a preschool girl came to school struggling to sit still and focus.

When asked what was wrong, she shared that she hadn’t eaten the day before.

To better understand the situation, Roseland spoke with her brother, who confirmed that they had not eaten at all the previous day. They had only had water.

This little girl’s difficulty in class was not behavioral—it was hunger.

Our staff immediately stepped in, ensuring the children received food at school. They also went above and beyond, sending food home with them so their mother could eat as well.

This story is a sobering reminder of the reality many families face.

It is also a powerful picture of why this work matters.

Because of this ministry, children are not only receiving education—they are receiving nourishment, care, and hope.

Dominican Republic Updates

Business Academy Growth

The Business Academy continues to grow and make an impact.

Students in the computer class are learning new skills—not only how to use technology, but how to apply it to operate and grow their businesses more effectively.

It has been encouraging to see their engagement, participation, and desire to learn.

Building Relationships Across Communities

At MOHI, we partner with people from many different backgrounds, churches, and organizations.

This past week, we had the opportunity to connect with the local Catholic Church in Luperón and attend Sunday Mass with one of our visiting teams.

Moments like these remind us that partnership and unity can take many forms, and that working together strengthens the impact we can have in the community.

Consistent Care in the Villages

Regular check-ins in the villages continue to be an essential part of our work.

During one of these visits, Marlous was asked to care for a young girl who had been playing with a knife and was bleeding heavily.

While the injury was not severe, Marlous quickly stopped the bleeding, properly cleaned and bandaged the wound.

These moments may seem small, but they matter deeply.

They are reminders that consistent presence and care make a real difference in people’s lives.

Jonathan Update

The past two weeks in Luperón have been anything but slow.

After returning from Haiti, I stepped right back into the rhythm of life and ministry here—and it has been full in the best way. Full of people. Full of conversations. Full of new possibilities taking shape.

One of the biggest gifts during this time has been hosting new friends from my hometown. They came not just to visit, but to see, to listen, and to explore what it might look like to partner more intentionally with Mission of Hope International. There’s been a growing sense that this could become something much bigger—teams of missionaries and volunteers coming regularly to Luperón, walking alongside the work already happening here, and contributing their time, skills, and hearts to the community.

It’s still early, but the conversations have been encouraging. There’s a shared desire to do this the right way—thoughtfully, sustainably, and always centered on the people and communities we serve.

At the same time, behind the scenes, something incredibly meaningful is unfolding in the area of medical care.

Through the partnership with Living Hope Haiti and the support of Miami Baptist Hospital, several individuals from the villages where we work will soon receive surgical care that would otherwise be out of reach. These upcoming clinics—staffed by medical professionals from South Florida and the Dominican Republic—will address conditions like hernias and lipomas, procedures that may sound routine but can be life-altering for those who have lived with discomfort or limitation for years.

Even beyond those surgeries, there will be evaluations for others facing more serious or complex health concerns. In many cases, this is the first step toward understanding what’s really going on and developing a path forward for treatment. It’s not just about a single clinic—it’s about opening doors to ongoing care and hope.

Moments like these are a powerful reminder of how interconnected this work really is. What happens through partnership—across countries, across communities—can change lives in very real ways.

An ongoing piece of this medical work is unfolding right now. James, a dear friend from Haiti, will be flying to the United States this week to begin pre-operative evaluations ahead of a much-needed dual heart valve replacement surgery. This is a significant step in a long journey toward healing. There is still an opportunity for those who feel led to support him through Mission of Hope International—helping cover the very real costs he will face while in the U.S., including housing, food, transportation, and travel. Our hope is not only to see him safely through surgery, but also to send him home to Haiti with something in hand to support his wife and their two young daughters as they continue forward together.

In the midst of all of this, there have also been smaller, quieter moments that feel just as significant.

Recently, I had the opportunity to welcome a friend from Luperón’s sailing community—someone I had met here not long ago—who asked if she could spend a day with us in the villages. There was something special about that invitation. No agenda, just a genuine desire to see and understand.

Walking together through the communities, introducing her to families, sharing stories of what’s been happening—it was one of those days that reminds you how bridges are built. Not through big events, but through simple, shared experiences. By the end of the day, it felt like something had shifted—not just in understanding, but in connection.

That’s been the theme of these past couple of weeks: connection.

Old friends reconnecting. New friends stepping in. Communities continue to open their doors. Partnerships forming that have the potential to grow into something lasting.

It’s busy, yes. But it’s the kind of busy that feels purposeful.

And in the middle of it all, I’m reminded again how much can happen when people simply say “yes”—to showing up, to learning, to serving, and to being part of something bigger than themselves.

There’s more ahead.

Closing Thought

This week, we are reminded that provision comes in many forms.

Through the work of farmers. Through the care of teachers and medical staff. Through the generosity of supporters. Through partnerships that continue to grow.

And sometimes, through something as simple as a meal for a hungry child.

Thank you for being part of this work.

Together, we are helping bring dignity, provision, and hope to those who need it most.