Redeeming the Time

Renée Edmé
5 minutes ago
6 min read

Sunday, November 2, 2025 - [click here to support the continuing work at MOHI]

Today's update is from Renée and Jonathan

Redeeming the Time

“Therefore be careful how you walk, not as unwise but as wise, making the most of your time, because the days are evil.”— Ephesians 5:15–16 (NASB)

Each day, we are faced with countless opportunities to either spend or invest our time. The choice is ours—to use each moment for self or to redeem it for the glory of God. As this past week unfolded, we were reminded in profound ways of how fragile and precious time truly is—and how urgently the love of Christ must be lived out in action.

Haiti: Responding to Devastation

Wednesday morning brought heartbreaking news from Haiti. Hurricane Melissa left unimaginable destruction in its wake. In Petit-Goâve, where we once helped establish a university that many of our high school graduates still attend, floodwaters broke through the riverbanks in the night, sweeping families from their beds as they slept.

Dozens of lives were lost, including family members of our own teaching staff. The grief is heavy, and the needs are overwhelming. Thousands are now without food, clean water, or shelter.

These scenes are from the city of Leogane. (MOHI's St. Etienne campus is in the mountains of Leogane.)

That night, we put out an urgent request to our partners to respond to this crisis. By Friday, we had begun purchasing supplies to make food and hygiene kits for families who lost everything. Each kit costs $48 and includes staples and necessities such as rice, beans, oil, fish, soap, toothbrushes, toothpaste, clothing, and first-aid items.

The total cost to reach the most affected families is $240,000, a daunting number, yet one we believe can be met as we each do our part.

Would you prayerfully consider how many families you and your family can help today? Every gift, large or small, will bring relief and restore hope to those who have lost so much.

👉 Give Now to Feed Hurricane Victims

Thank you for standing with us in compassion and faith. Your love and generosity are a lifeline to those who are suffering.

MOHI's main campus in Thozin, Grand-Goâve, Haïti

Despite the heavy rains, our schools were able to function until Tuesday, and the clinic remained open and busy, as well. We are so grateful for our staff’s faithfulness and endurance in the midst of the storm.

“The Lord is close to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit.”— Psalm 34:18 (NIV)

Dominican Republic: Full Circle Moments and Redeeming Time

All of us at MOHI are super excited to have Jonathan LaMare working with us at MOHI on the island of Hispaniola for a season. Welcome to Luperón, Jonathan!!! Thank you to José for bringing him safely to Luperón Thursday!

I’d like to share Jonathan's own words with you:

It is hard to believe that it was in October of 2012 when I first met Lex and Renee and the rest of the MOHI family when I traveled to Grand Goave on a visit to one of the projects they were helping to get established - a part of the relief efforts following the 2010 earthquake there.

When I left Grand Goave some 5 years or so later, I didn’t envision a day where I’d be back together working with MOHI in any capacity. I felt like our paths had crossed and that as I moved on to work in other parts of Haiti for another organization, eventually bringing me to East Africa for a few years, my connection to Lex and Renee remained a distant, virtual one maintained through Facebook and the occasional WhatsApp chat.

It is also hard to believe it’s been four years since the earthquake in the southern part of Haiti brought me back to working alongside Lex and Renee and a group of medical professionals who flew down to help provide care for those in the most rural and disconnected parts of Haiti. While years had passed, it felt as if no time had passed at all…

So, you can imagine my surprise when not more than a few weeks ago, while I was lamenting over a facebook chat with Lex and Renee how much I missed being in international work, where the conversation ended up with an invitation to come down to Luperon in the Dominican Republic and spend some time with MOHI’s programs and staff here. As much as I wanted to, I felt that was a fleeting invitation or an otherwise unreasonable thing for me to even consider being able to do.

However, as the Edme’s tend to do, they made things happen, and yes, while sitting here now in my room in Luperon, I can’t quite believe I am back! The drive from the airport in Puerto Plata conjured up memories from my first trip to Grand Goave Haiti, where narrow winding roads scattered with motos, cattle, pedestrians, and more all competing for the right of way, creeping along picturesque coastline and breathtaking views of mountains and beaches alike.

This time, for the first time in a long time in my life, I felt no worry or anxiety around this next step. I have no way of knowing if my time here will be temporary while I look for work in the U.S.A., of if perhaps my ending up here, now, is somehow a part of something bigger than me - us - and perhaps this is what it means when life brings you full circle.

I’m excited for the work to come and the experiences that lay ahead! I’ve convinced myself to embrace this time, be it a week, a month, or more - and to have faith and believe things will work themselves out exactly as they should.

Jonathan shared this memory with me from 2013 when he first arrived in Grand-Goâve. We had invited him to celebrate AJay's birthday with us on "Lilèt," a little island near the missionary compound. He was trying "lambi" (conk) and had decided one bit was quite enough for him. LOL.

Friday, we had a strategy meeting online with Jonathan in his new "home."

And by Saturday, he had found the perfect office space, just a short walk away at Playa Grande!

These cuties are going to LOVE Jonathan!!!

We are so grateful to see how God continues to weave lives and callings together at just the right time. His timing is perfect, and His purposes are sure.

Bless Back Business Academy

At the Bless Back Business Academy in Luperón, our first-level students focused on time management this week. This topic is crucial for entrepreneurs, as it helps them organize their personal and professional lives more effectively. The class was lively and full of insight as participants shared experiences and strategies for stewarding their time wisely to improve productivity.

Our second-level students were scheduled to work on crafting their “30-second commercial,” a practical exercise in effective communication and self-presentation. However, due to severe weather, they were unable to attend in person. We sent them a recording of the class so that learning could continue uninterrupted.

Even amid interruptions, we see God’s grace at work. Each student’s commitment reminds us that planning and productivity must always align with Kingdom principles, managing well what God has entrusted to us.

“Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for human masters.”— Colossians 3:23 (NIV)

United States: Family, Fellowship, and Faithful Partnerships

In the midst of all the challenges and change, the Lord blessed our family with great joy. Lex and I celebrated the birth of our fourth grandchild, Alexander “Xander” Von Edmé, born to AJay and Cherie on October 26th, all the way in Arizona! He is gorgeous and oh so loved! Both mom and baby are doing well, and AJay’s smile has barely left his face. Our whole family is over the moon in love with this little boy!

We are incredibly thankful for everyone who participated in our Spread Hope with Food drive. Pastor Paul Minor (All Saints Church, Belmont, MA) drove a carload of food to Connecticut, where our dear friends at Full Gospel Interdenominational Church were ready to receive it. FGIC will palletize the food and ship it to Haiti. What a joy it is to work alongside such faithful partners!

“So then, as we have opportunity, let us do good to everyone, and especially to those who are of the household of faith.”— Galatians 6:10 (ESV)

Upcoming Events

We are looking forward to our upcoming Celebration of Hope. Please mark your calendar and plan to join us!!!

Sun Sea & Sisterhood is coming up this Winter. Women from across the US will be gathering in Luperón for a time of rest, encouragement, worship, prayer, empowering messages, fellowship, service, good food, and plenty of laughter! (click on the picture for more information!)

Closing Thoughts

From the storm-tossed shores of Haiti to the Hope Squad of Luperón and the joyful cradles of new life in Arizona, we see one constant: God is at work, redeeming time and transforming hearts.

We don’t always know what tomorrow holds, but we do know WHO holds it. HE invites us to walk in step with HIS Spirit, investing each day in what truly matters.