Grateful in Every Season 🌿

Sunday, May 11, 2025 - [click here to support the continuing work at MOHI]  

Today's update is from Renée

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Despite such enormous difficulties, we’re experiencing great joy in Christ here at Mission of Hope International! Our hearts are overflowing with gratitude—for God's provision, for answered prayers, and for each one of you who continues to support this mission through your words, actions, prayers, and financial gifts. At MOHI in Haiti, the houses of worship are full of praise, gratitude, and joy!

We are thrilled to share that a large shipment of food and supplies has arrived at MOHI in Haiti from our beloved friends at Full Gospel Interdenominational Church in Manchester, CT! Many of you will remember that Pastor Lex and our friend Lenny personally drove a truck loaded with 30 barrels of food to a Florida port. From there, it was shipped to a location closer to our base, avoiding the unrest in Port-au-Prince. By God’s grace, every customs fee and transport cost has been paid—and now our storage depot is again filled! We also received a pallet of beans and vegetable oil that we had purchased. What a blessing this is for our students, babies, staff, clinic patients, and families in need.

As the school year winds down, we’re so proud of our students. They’re working hard—and thanks to daily meals, they’re able to concentrate better and pursue their education with strength and determination. In a country challenged by violence and instability, seeing these young people thrive is nothing short of miraculous. Our hope remains rooted in Jesus, the One who holds tomorrow and lovingly watches over each child—body, mind, and spirit.

Thank you, child sponsors, for standing with us! Your love is bringing hope—real, tangible hope—to these children. Knowing they’ll eat today makes all the difference.

Your support also means they have access to our medical and dental clinics, where common illnesses are treated and more serious conditions are caught early. Through our partnership with Bless Back Worldwide and the generous supply of medicine from Blessings International, no patient pays for medicine—what a gift!

In the START NOW program, our tiniest ones are thriving. Their meals include eggs, peanut butter, fish, meats, fresh fruits and veggies, and delicious pumpkin soup—all packed with nutrients. Many of these little ones have fled from gang-controlled areas and found safety and community here in Grand-Goâve and Léogâne. It's beautiful to see our church family embracing them and helping them rebuild their lives.

In the Dominican Republic, the START NOW program continues strong, thanks in part to the harvest from MOHI’s garden. Squash, yucca, leafy greens, carrots, and sweet potatoes are providing a much-needed nutritional boost.

Nurse Marlouse, our Community Health Promoter, is faithfully visiting not only the children in the START NOW program but also adults throughout the villages where MOHI is active. She checks in on community members with chronic conditions like hypertension and diabetes, ensuring they receive their medications regularly and understand how to care for their bodies. She provides ongoing education about what’s happening inside their bodies and closely monitors their progress. If any issues arise, she consults with our doctors at Bless Back Worldwide to make timely adjustments. Because of this consistent care, many people now have a brighter outlook on life and are better equipped to manage their health day by day.

And the Bless Back Business Academy? It’s moving full steam ahead! English and computer classes are empowering the Luperón community, while two levels of business training continue to impact local business owners. Our business coach, Aquilina, reminded us this week that biblical principles make for wise business: plan thoughtfully (Luke 14:28), commit your work to the Lord (Proverbs 16:3), and seek counsel (Proverbs 15:22). What an encouragement to see faith and entrepreneurship working hand in hand to transform communities!

Yesterday, I had the joy of joining the women’s breakfast at Full Gospel Interdenominational Church. What a happy place! It was a delight to share how their support is impacting Haiti and to reflect on how God continues to grow me personally. I left so encouraged and deeply grateful to Pastors John & Adrienne for their partnership with us.

To all the mothers reading today—Happy Mother’s Day!

May your homes be filled with joy, your children be surrounded with love, and your hearts be strengthened by God’s abundant grace. And to the grandmas like me—by God's grace, may we continue to gently pour wisdom and encouragement into this next generation out of hearts overflowing with "agape" love. 💐

For those of you who have spent time with us in the Dominican Republic, I want to share this video of the youth dancing at Pastor Jonel's church in Luperón. I am so proud of Micha and Eli and the amazing growth I have seen in them over these past two and a half years! (They are the daughters of our country Director, Mèt Ben, and his wife, Nurse Marlouse.) What a beautiful expression of worship!

Friends, thank you for being such a vital part of this work. We are so much better together. Your love and faithfulness are bearing fruit every single day. I am eager to share more good news with you soon.

“Let us hold unswervingly to the hope we profess, for He who promised is faithful.” – Hebrews 10:23