Hope That Brings People Together
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Sunday, June 21, 2026 - [click here to support the continuing work at MOHI]
Today's update is from Jonathan, Ben and Taran
One of the greatest blessings of ministry is seeing people come together.
Whether it's students gathering in a classroom, families receiving care at a clinic, church members worshiping together, children sharing a meal, or mission teams serving alongside local communities, meaningful change often begins with relationships.
This week, we saw many examples of people coming together across Haiti and the Dominican Republic. Here are a few highlights from the work happening through Mission of Hope International.
Haiti Updates
Healthcare That Makes a Difference
We are grateful to report that the recent malaria outbreak is much more under control than it was just a few weeks ago. Fewer patients are arriving at the clinic with symptoms, and we are thankful for both the medicine and education that helped families navigate this difficult season.
A special thank you to Bless Back Worldwide for helping provide medications so we can provide critical support during this outbreak. We are also incredibly grateful for our doctors, nurses, and healthcare staff who continue serving the community with excellence and compassion.
One memorable clinic visit this week involved a patient suffering from significant ear pain. Upon examination, our doctor discovered that an insect had become trapped inside the patient's ear. After receiving treatment, the patient experienced immediate relief and was incredibly thankful for the care they received.
Our Dental Clinic and Physical Therapy Clinic also continue serving patients each week, providing services that are often difficult to access elsewhere in the community.
Finishing the School Year Strong
Friday marked the final day of exams for our students.
We are proud of the hard work they have invested throughout the school year and are now preparing for graduation celebrations in the coming weeks.
Education remains one of the greatest investments we can make in the future of a child, and we look forward to celebrating the accomplishments of our students and families.
Church Life
This past Sunday, the church in St. Étienne held a special communion service and baby dedication.
These moments are always meaningful reminders that ministry is not only about programs and projects—it is about walking alongside families through every season of life.
The church is also actively preparing for the Annual Leadership Conference coming up in July. We are excited about the opportunity to encourage and equip pastors and leaders from across the region.
Bringing the Community Together
One unexpected highlight this week was gathering students, church members, and community members together to watch the World Cup.
The church opened its doors so people could enjoy the games together, creating a fun environment filled with excitement and fellowship.
Our local radio station even provided updates and coverage throughout the event.
Moments like these remind us that community matters. Sometimes ministry looks like worship services and clinics. Sometimes it looks like people simply coming together, laughing, celebrating, and building relationships.
Staff Spotlight: Marie Ange
This week, we would like to recognize Marie Ange
Marie Ange began her journey with Mission of Hope International as a teacher and has grown into a key leadership role within the organization. Today, she helps oversee logistics and manages many of the resources that keep our school and ministry operating smoothly.
She is known for her integrity, strong work ethic, organizational skills, and willingness to help others. Whether supporting staff, solving problems, or helping coordinate daily operations, Marie Ange consistently serves with excellence.
We are grateful for her many years of faithful service and the impact she continues to make every day.
Dominican Republic Updates
A Place to Gather
One of the most encouraging updates we received this week came from La Grúa.
Earlier this year, teams from New England Chapel and Full Gospel Interdenominational Church helped construct tables and benches for the children's feeding program.
Before these tables were built, many children would eat standing up, crouched on the ground, or alone. Today, they gather together around shared tables to enjoy meals, build friendships, and participate in activities.
What may seem like a simple construction project has created something much bigger—a place for community.
A special thank you to NEC and FGIC for investing in these children and helping create spaces where relationships can flourish.
Thoughts from Jonathan
One of the questions we hear most often from visitors serving with us in the Dominican Republic is, "Can I sponsor one of the children I met?"
It's a beautiful question, and it reflects the deep connections that are formed during our HOPE Encounter trips. Many of the children our teams meet leave a lasting impression on the hearts of those who spend time with them.
When we first started, we did offer direct child sponsorship opportunities in the Dominican Republic. However, over time, we recognized that the circumstances facing many of these children are often complex and highly unpredictable. Many are living in transitional situations. Some are unaccompanied. Others are part of families whose legal status may be uncertain, creating instability that can result in frequent moves and interruptions in their daily lives.
Because these children are not enrolled in schools that we directly operate, it can be difficult to consistently track their progress and maintain the level of accountability and relationship that meaningful child sponsorship requires.
For that reason, we have chosen to focus our child sponsorship program on the students in our schools in Haiti. These are children we see every day. We know their needs, their families, their educational progress, and their dreams for the future. Sponsorship provides stability, education, nutrition, and hope—helping prevent vulnerable children from ever facing the kinds of circumstances that so many families are experiencing today.
That does not mean the children and families we serve in the Dominican Republic need our support any less.
Through program sponsorship, donors help sustain the outreach initiatives, feeding programs, educational support, community development efforts, and compassionate care that allow us to serve some of the most vulnerable children and families we encounter. Program sponsorship gives us the flexibility to respond to changing needs while ensuring that no child is overlooked simply because their circumstances make traditional sponsorship difficult.
Our HOPE Encounter teams have played a vital role in this work. Time and again, visiting missionaries have built meaningful relationships, encouraged children and families, and participated in experiences that have been truly life-changing—and, in some cases, life-saving.
We are deeply grateful for everyone who has chosen to serve alongside us. If you have been considering a mission experience for yourself, your family, or your church group, we invite you to join us. Together, we can continue bringing hope, stability, and the love of Christ to children and communities in both Haiti and the Dominican Republic.
Closing Thoughts
Throughout this week, one theme continued to emerge: people need people.
Children need teachers.
Patients need healthcare workers.
Families need churches.
Communities need places to gather.
And all of us need relationships that remind us we are not alone.
At Mission of Hope International, we are grateful for the many people who make this work possible—our staff, volunteers, mission teams, supporters, sponsors, churches, and community partners.
Thank you for helping bring people together and for being part of the story God is writing in Haiti and the Dominican Republic.
