Mete Tèt Nou Ansanm: Better Together

Apr 18
7 min read

Sunday, April 19, 2026 - [click here to support the continuing work at MOHI]

Today's update is from Jonathan and Taran

There is a Haitian Creole phrase shared in Jonathan’s update this week:

Mete tèt nou ansanm.

It means, “Let’s put our heads together.”

It speaks of collaboration, unity, problem-solving, and people coming together to move forward—especially in difficult circumstances.

That phrase captures so much of what we witnessed this week through Mission of Hope International.

Across Haiti and the Dominican Republic, we saw people from different backgrounds, nations, churches, and communities coming together to serve one another, solve problems, and bring hope.

This is how transformation happens.

Not through one person doing everything alone.

But through people putting their heads, hearts, hands, and gifts together.

Dominican Republic Updates

Encouraging Local Churches

Our friends Stuart, Maike, Anna, Phiby, and Noah had the opportunity to visit several churches in Luperón this past week.

Their prayers, encouragement, and presence were a blessing to pastors and congregations alike.

Ministry is strengthened when believers from different places come together in faith and fellowship.

Dominican Friends Serving Haitian Communities

One of the most beautiful pictures of collaboration this week was seeing two local Dominican women—Esther and Dyan—visit the Haitian communities of La Grua and Baraguana with us.

These women have faithfully supported the children’s programs by sending shoes and sandals for kids in need. But this week, on their day off, they chose to come personally and serve food to the children.

It was their first time visiting these villages.

What a powerful picture: the Dominican community reaching out in love and service to their Haitian neighbors.

After spending time there, their hearts were moved even deeper, and they have expanded their personal support for these families.

This is what it looks like to put our heads together.

Walls come down. Relationships grow. Communities become stronger.

Handwashing With Dignity

Our handwashing initiative continues to grow, and it has become a passion project for our staff.

What may look like a simple task carries deep meaning.

Teaching children to wash their hands is about more than hygiene.

It is about:

Self-care
Responsibility
Dignity
Healthy habits
Knowing they matter

In environments marked by poverty and hardship, even small practices can restore confidence and hope.

Children begin learning that they can care for themselves and take pride in how they show up each day.

A Local Handyman Joins the Mission

Ben has also been preparing special buckets to serve as temporary handwashing stations.

When a local handyman learned who the buckets were for and how they would be used, he refused payment.

He said he wanted to personally support the work being done for the children.

That simple gesture speaks volumes.

This is collaboration.

This is community.

This is what happens when people hear about a need and choose to become part of the solution.

Business Academy Growth

The Business Academy continues to see encouraging progress.

Mackendy runs a small shop selling food and has been applying lessons on customer service learned through the Academy.

Claris recently launched a new business and reports that things are going very well.

Giolenny, another student, operates a barber shop in town.

We are so grateful to Bless Back Worldwide for partnering with us in this significant work of local development and empowerment in Luperón.

Haiti Updates

Encouragement Through Presence

Our staff in Haiti deeply enjoyed having Lex with them for a time.

His compassion and care are evident in the way he intentionally connects with each staff member and the children.

Presence matters.

Encouragement matters.

Leadership is not only about direction—it is also about relationship.

A Message of Positive Living

Lex preached at Sunday services while visiting, sharing a message on avoiding what is negative and choosing to live in what is good and life-giving.

That message resonated deeply.

In challenging environments, mindset matters. Faith matters. What we focus on matters.

Worship Through Gifts and Creativity

Did you know that dance and special songs are a vibrant part of many Haitian churches?

It is common for groups of men and women to prepare songs and dances to present before the church as worship.

This past Sunday, one group used their gifts in this beautiful way, honoring God through joyful expression.

Even some of our students prepared a dance that they performed for the school.

What a gift to see worship expressed through culture, creativity, and joy.

Faithful Medical Care in Difficult Conditions

Heavy rains flooded roads this past week, making travel difficult.

But that did not stop Nurse Cadet and Doctor Evans from making their way to the clinic.

They waded through floodwaters to ensure patients would still receive care.

That kind of dedication cannot be overstated.

We are also continually grateful that our clinic has the medicine and supplies needed to serve patients well. Our medicine is known as some of the best available in the country.

Joy in the Schoolyard

The students also enjoyed time playing soccer this week.

Even in difficult places, children still laugh, run, play, and dream.

That joy matters.

Family Mission Trip Info Session

We are excited for our upcoming Family Mission Trip this July.

If you are interested but would like to learn more, we invite you to our upcoming info session:

May 3 at 2:00 PMChair City Church – Gardner, MA

We’ll have pizza and share details about this amazing opportunity for families to serve together.

Jonathan Update

Mete Tèt Nou Ansanm: A Journey Through Challenge, Resilience, and Hope

In early March, I flew into Cap-Haïtien with the intention of traveling south to Grand-Goâve. That plan, like so many things in Haiti, was ultimately shaped by circumstances outside of my control. A combination of security concerns and logistical challenges made it impossible to safely complete that journey.

Instead, I redirected my time to Gonaïves, where I was able to continue consulting work with an organization I’ve supported in the past. What followed was a journey that, while difficult, became a powerful reminder of the resilience and spirit of the Haitian people.

An Eight-Hour Journey and an Unbreakable Spirit

The drive from Cap-Haïtien to Gonaïves should take three to four hours. Ours took nearly eight.

Heavy rains had flooded large portions of the national highway. At times, the road disappeared entirely beneath water and mud. What should have been a straightforward drive became slow, uncertain, and exhausting.

About an hour north of Gonaïves, our vehicle broke down completely.

We found ourselves stranded on the side of the road—an exposed and not particularly safe place to be sitting idle. But in true Haitian fashion, what could have been a moment of fear quickly turned into a moment of community.

Our driver made a phone call.

Within twenty minutes, four mechanics arrived.

They didn’t just bring tools—they brought food and water for us as we waited. They got to work immediately, diagnosing and repairing the issue with remarkable efficiency. There was no hesitation, no complaint—just action.

It was a living example of the Haitian expression: mete tèt nou ansanm—“let’s put our heads together.”

Even in the middle of hardship, even on the side of a flooded highway, that spirit was alive and well.

A Sudden Change of Plans

My time in Gonaïves was cut short after a violent gang attack just south of the city left over 100 people dead. It was a sobering reminder of the fragility of daily life in Haiti right now.

Out of caution, I returned to Cap-Haïtien and began planning my departure—not by air, but overland into the Dominican Republic.

A Road Trip Through Memory and Meaning

I hired a driver to take me from Cap-Haïtien to the border town of Ouanaminthe.

In an unexpected and deeply meaningful twist, the driver turned out to be someone I knew—a former colleague from my early days in Haiti, when I was living in Grand-Goâve working with the Be Like Brit Foundation.

We hadn’t seen each other in ten years.

And yet, within minutes, it felt like no time had passed at all.

We spent the journey talking about those early days—about the children we cared for, the staff we worked alongside, and the people we’ve lost over the years. It was a conversation filled with both laughter and quiet reflection, and in many ways, it restored something in me that had been worn down.

Hard Roads, Warm Hearts

The journey to the border was long and difficult. Flooding persisted, traffic was heavy, and we passed through numerous security checkpoints along the way.

But what stood out most wasn’t the hardship—it was the people.

At one point, we stopped at a roadside bar and grill for a cold drink and a quick meal. Within minutes, we were surrounded by a group of about a dozen Haitians—laughing, joking, sharing stories, and welcoming us into conversation.

They spoke about politics, about daily life, and about recent tragedies—including the devastating crowd crush at the Citadelle Laferrière, where what was meant to be a celebration turned into a disaster, claiming the lives of dozens of young people.

Even in grief, there was connection. Even in hardship, there was hospitality.

Crossing the Border

When we arrived in Ouanaminthe, I was immediately met by a group of Haitians eager to help. Without hesitation, they picked up my bags, guided me through the process, and ensured that my belongings—and I—were taken care of.

It was my first time crossing the border this way, and I would not have navigated it without them.

The process itself was… memorable.

I arrived at the Dominican entry point around noon—only to find that the officials were on their lunch break. Despite a line of nearly a hundred people waiting in the heat, there was no rush. No urgency. Just a group of employees enjoying their time together—eating, laughing, scrolling through their phones, and occasionally assuring us, “Just wait… we’ll be there.”

In another context, it might have felt maddening. And yes, it was hot, muddy, crowded, and filled with all the complexities that come with travel in difficult environments.

But even there—especially there—there were people stepping in to help. Honest people. Kind people. People who made sure I got through.

Why It Matters

These experiences are not unique to me. They are daily realities for the people of Haiti.

And yet, what continues to stand out—what continues to inspire—is not just the hardship, but the humanity that exists within it.

At Mission of Hope International, this is what our work is rooted in.

We are not just responding to needs—we are walking alongside people who, despite everything, continue to show dignity, generosity, and an unbreakable spirit.

Mete tèt nou ansanm.

This is what our friends in Haiti do every day. And it is what we are called to do alongside them.