Seeing God's Hand in the Little Things and the Big Things
Sunday, October 25, 2026 - [click here to support the continuing work at MOHI]
Today's update is from Jonathan and Taran
Sometimes, when we look back over everything happening at Mission of Hope International, we're reminded of just how much God is doing through the people He brings into our lives.
This week is one of those times.
From a visiting mission team sharing moments of prayer and friendship with families in the Dominican Republic, to pastors from different countries and churches gathering around the same table, we're seeing relationships grow and new connections being made.
We're also excited about the future. Plans are moving forward for expanding our Mission House, we've welcomed two wonderful new members to our team, and our classrooms in Haiti are filling with children eager to learn and grow.
Some of these moments are big milestones. Others are simple conversations, shared meals, or quiet moments of prayer. But each one reminds us that ministry isn't just about the programs we operate or the projects we complete.
It's about people. It's about relationships. And ultimately, it's about being faithful with the opportunities God places before us.
We're grateful for the many ways He continues to work through MOHI and for each of you who are part of this journey with us.
Here's a little glimpse of what God has been doing this week!
A Special Week with the Journal with Jesus Team
This week, we had the joy of welcoming the Journal with Jesus Exhale Retreat to the Dominican Republic. It was a wonderful week of fellowship, meaningful connections, spiritual refreshment, and growing closer to Jesus.
One of the highlights was a special dinner with women from the Haitian church in Luperón. Michelle shared about Journaling with Jesus, a practice their women's group does together each week back home. The Haitian and American women then paired up to spend time sharing and praying for one another. It was a beautiful evening of encouragement, friendship, and connecting through their shared faith in Christ.
Friday brought another meaningful opportunity for connection as the team visited families in their homes, spent time listening and praying together, and shared special care packages they had prepared. These personal visits are often some of the most memorable moments of a trip, giving everyone an opportunity to slow down and simply spend time together.
The team also hosted a fun-filled afternoon with the children in La Grúa! There was a pizza party, a special craft where the children decorated picture frames and had their photos taken, and plenty of smiles. Churches and communities across South Carolina had generously collected backpacks and school supplies for the team to distribute. It was such a joy to watch each child receive a backpack of their own!
And of course, no HOPE Encounter would be complete without a little adventure! The team enjoyed an outing to the local waterfalls, where they had the opportunity to swim, jump, slide into the water, and encourage one another to overcome a few fears along the way. It was a wonderful time of laughter, fellowship, and making memories together.
We're grateful for this team and the relationships that were strengthened throughout the week. From quiet moments of prayer to laughter with the children, it was a beautiful reminder of how God brings people together across cultures and communities through shared faith, friendship, and love.
Pastors dinner
What a beautiful evening of fellowship, friendship, and gratitude at Mission of Hope International in Luperón, Dominican Republic! We recently had the privilege of welcoming pastors and ministry leaders from Haitian and Dominican churches, alongside American pastors and missionaries, for a special evening together. People representing different countries, cultures, languages, and ministry experiences gathered around the same tables, sharing a meal, exchanging stories, and strengthening relationships. Our visiting mission team did an incredible job preparing for the evening, from setting up and cooking to baking, serving, and cleaning up. Their hard work and joyful hospitality helped create a warm, welcoming atmosphere where everyone could relax, connect, and enjoy one another’s company.
One of the things we value most about our work at MOHI is the opportunity to bring people together who might not otherwise have the chance to connect in such a meaningful way. Our Pastor’s Dinner has become a wonderful example of that. By opening our doors and hosting these gatherings, MOHI provides a welcoming, neutral space where church leaders from different communities, denominations, and nationalities can come together without placing the responsibility of hosting on any one pastor or congregation. Seeing Haitian and Dominican ministry leaders sitting side by side with American pastors and missionaries was a beautiful reminder of how faith and a shared commitment to serving others can bridge cultural and national boundaries. The conversations, laughter, and friendships that develop around these tables extend far beyond the evening itself.
We take great pride in the role MOHI plays in facilitating these connections and helping build relationships across the communities we serve.
We feel incredibly blessed that God has given us the opportunity to bring people together in this way. Watching connections form from different backgrounds, churches, and countries creates opportunities for mutual encouragement, understanding, and collaboration. We are grateful for the trust these pastors and ministry leaders place in us, for the visiting team that helped make the evening possible, and for the growing sense of community these gatherings continue to foster. Above all, we thank God for placing MOHI in a position to bring people together in this unique way. We look forward to continuing to open our doors, strengthen these friendships, and celebrate the common purpose that unites us across borders, languages, and cultures.
Building for the Future in the Dominican Republic
When we think about the future of our ministry in the Dominican Republic, the Mission House in Luperón is at the center of so much of what we envision.
It's much more than a place for visiting teams to stay. It's a gathering place, a place of learning, and a hub for much of the work happening in the surrounding communities.
Meals for our baby feeding and afternoon programs are prepared here. Our Business Academy meets here. We host community gatherings, welcome mission teams, and bring people together from different backgrounds and cultures.
And we believe there is so much more ahead!
One of our dreams is to expand the Mission House by adding a third floor, creating additional accommodations for visiting teams. We're seeing growing interest from people who want to come and serve alongside us, and the teams we're welcoming are getting larger. Having additional space would allow us to welcome more people and create even more opportunities for them to build relationships with the communities we serve.
We also envision this property becoming a place where visitors can learn about Haiti, hear the stories of the Haitian people, and better understand their culture and history. With travel into Haiti currently so difficult, we want to create opportunities for people to experience a connection with Haiti right here in the Dominican Republic.
And we're excited to share that we're taking some important steps toward making this vision a reality!
We've received the architectural plans for the new roof and third-floor structure, and we're now working on developing the construction estimates. Once those are complete, we'll be able to begin making arrangements for a team to come and help with the first phase of construction, which will include the new roof and exterior structure.
This project is also becoming increasingly urgent. Our existing roof continues to leak during heavy rains, causing water damage inside the building. While we're excited about the possibilities for expansion, protecting the space we already have is just as important.
There's still work to do before construction can begin, but having the plans in hand is a significant step forward!
In the coming weeks, we'll be sharing more about the project, what it will take to complete this first phase, and how we can move forward together.
We're excited about what the future holds for the Mission House and all the ways God may use this property to bring people together, strengthen relationships, and serve the communities around us.
Meet Khate and Kim – Our Newest Team Members!
We're excited to introduce two wonderful new members of the MOHI team!
Khate and Kim recently joined us to help with many of the behind-the-scenes tasks that keep our ministry running smoothly. From coordinating details for our HOPE Encounters to data entry, social media, and administrative support, they're already making a difference and helping our team stay organized and focused.
Khate and Kim are sisters who live together in Cagayan de Oro City in the Philippines. Both have a deep love for the Lord and a heart for serving others through ministry.
Meet Khate!
Khate is actively involved in her church, where she leads Bible studies and disciples a group of 12 young people, encouraging them to grow in their relationship with Jesus and share the Gospel with others. When she's not working or serving at church, you'll probably find her enjoying a cup of coffee or matcha, or spending time with her five dogs!
Meet Kim!
Like her sister, Kim has a passion for discipleship and leads Bible studies with her own group of 12 young people. She loves connecting with others and bringing joy and laughter to the people around her. And if you think five dogs is a lot, Kim has 10 cats! She also has a special love for mangoes and bananas.
Khate recently shared what being part of MOHI means to her:
“Being part of MOHI has been so meaningful because I get to contribute to a mission that shares my heart for reaching people, bringing hope, and making Jesus known.”
Although they're working with us from halfway around the world, Khate and Kim are already becoming an important part of our team.
We're grateful for the gifts, enthusiasm, and hearts for ministry they bring to MOHI, and we're excited for you to get to know them, too!
Please join us in welcoming Khate and Kim to the MOHI family!
School Update
Three weeks into the new school year, the classrooms at Mission of Hope International in Haiti are full of activity, excitement, and opportunity!
With nearly 500 students enrolled, this is shaping up to be one of our largest school years yet! Pastor Edon is hopeful that we'll reach—and even exceed—the 500-student mark. It's not unusual for families in Haiti to enroll their children several weeks after the school year begins, so we anticipate welcoming even more students in the coming weeks.
In a country facing so much uncertainty, the opportunity to attend school means far more than receiving an education. For children, it provides structure, friendships, encouragement, and a sense of normalcy. For parents, knowing their children have a safe place to learn, grow, and receive a nutritious meal brings reassurance amid the challenges of everyday life.
And for us at MOHI, every student who walks through our doors represents another opportunity to invest in Haiti's future.
Working Together to Make an Even Greater Impact
Behind the scenes, our school leadership teams in Haiti, the United States, and the Dominican Republic have been meeting weekly to strengthen communication, coordinate our efforts, and improve the systems we use to manage student information and sponsorships.
We're grateful to work alongside several other organizations that sponsor children attending our school, as well as the many individuals and families who sponsor students directly through MOHI. These partnerships are an incredible blessing, and they allow us to extend educational opportunities to children who might otherwise go without.
But here's something you might not know: Nearly half of our students still don't have a financial sponsor.
That's nearly 250 children whose education and daily needs we continue working to support through the generosity of donors, partners, and friends who believe in this mission.
To those who already sponsor a child: Thank you! Your commitment makes a real, tangible difference. You're helping provide more than an education. You're helping create stability, opportunity, and hope for a child and their family.
We are deeply grateful for each of you.
Could You Help Us Reach One More Person?
We have a small favor to ask.
Would you forward this email or share this blog post with just one friend who might not know about Mission of Hope International?
That's it. Just one person!
It takes only a few clicks, but those few clicks could introduce someone to a mission they've never heard about, a community they've never visited, or a child whose life they could help change.
We never know who might feel called to get involved, sponsor a student, or support a family in Haiti. Your willingness to share our story helps us reach people we might never connect with otherwise.
And with nearly half our students still awaiting sponsorship, every new connection matters.
The Work Goes Far Beyond the Classroom
While the start of the school year brings plenty of excitement, it also means that our other ministries are busier than ever!
Our medical, dental, and physical therapy clinics continue serving students and members of the surrounding community, meeting important healthcare needs in a place where access to quality care can be difficult.
And our kitchen team? They're preparing to serve more than 1,000 meals every single day!
Think about that for a moment. More than a thousand meals, prepared and served daily, helping nourish the children and people who depend on these programs.
It's a tremendous undertaking, and we're grateful for the hardworking staff in Haiti who make it happen day after day.
Thank You for Being Part of This Mission
As we celebrate the beginning of another school year, we're reminded that none of this happens in isolation.
It takes dedicated teachers, cooks, healthcare professionals, school administrators, ministry partners, child sponsors, donors, and faithful friends who continue to believe in the work God is doing through Mission of Hope International.
From our classrooms in Haiti to our supporters around the world, each of you plays a part in making this work possible.
Thank you for your prayers, your generosity, and your continued support of Mission of Hope International.
We're excited about what this new school year holds, and we look forward to sharing more stories from our students, staff, and communities in the months ahead.
And don't forget—please share this with one friend today! You never know what that simple introduction might lead to.
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