Stories that Move Me

Sunday, November 16, 2025 - [click here to support the continuing work at MOHI]  

Today's update is from Renée

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There is a simple truth that keeps rising to the surface in every place our teams serve: God is always tending to His people, often through the hands of those standing closest to them. Week after week, I’m reminded that nothing about this work is abstract. It is tender. It is personal. It is full of names and faces whose stories are shaping the very heartbeat of Mission of Hope International.

“Carry each other’s burdens, and in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ.” Galatians 6:2

This week, as updates came in from our global leaders, I found myself thanking God once again for the privilege of watching Him work through the people He has placed in our path.

A Grandfather’s Influence and a Child’s Confidence

Mèt Ben shared several moments that brought both smiles and a few deep breaths of gratitude.

Boss Brazil, with his gentle hands and steady patience, continues caring faithfully for the rabbits—new little ones bouncing around, now about six weeks old. Their growing numbers are a sign of promise for the families who benefit from this small but meaningful agricultural project.

Then there was Magy, who still isn’t quite sure she wants to be friends with “Abuelo Ben” right now. She is standing firm in her conviction that he should not have said no to that second vitamin tablet—a disagreement she remembers with adorable determination. Her stubbornness is matched only by the twinkle in Ben’s eyes when he talks about her.

And sweet eight-month-old Robenji from Baraguana, who has absolutely no intention of negotiating with anyone when it comes to her spoonful of rice. Her fierce little spirit, wrapped in innocence and hunger, reminds me of Jesus’ words: “Let the little children come to me… for the kingdom of heaven belongs to such as these.” Matthew 19:14

These moments unfolded against the backdrop of a region that is praying earnestly for rain. While the south continues to reel from Hurricane Melissa, the north is longing for the skies to break open so the planting season can begin in earnest. Yet even in the waiting, the children gather with vitamins balanced on their fingertips, warm food in their bellies, and jokes that echo across the villages. Joy still rises.

When a Village Is Hurting, a Community Heals Together

Our Community Health Promoter, Marlouse, stepped into three villages this week, La Grúa, Baraguana, and Cambiaso, where she'd witnessed something that felt like an epidemic had swept through homes in her previous visits. Fevers. Coughs. Children curled up under blankets. Adults too weak to work.

This week, she moved from family to family with compassion that was almost tangible, visiting 16 patients in La Grúa, 24 in Baraguana, and 26 in Cambiaso. One after another, people shared how the medicines had eased their suffering. Their relief was a reminder of how meaningful even the simplest intervention can be.

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

Strengthening Small Businesses, One Story at a Time

Aquilina, our Bless Back Business Academy coach in the DR, poured deeply into the entrepreneurs she mentors.

This week’s sessions spanned two strikingly different yet beautifully connected topics. The Level One group delved into Business Ethics, discussing how honesty, responsibility, and integrity shape a business far more powerfully than profit margins. They explored real scenarios, wrestled with tough questions, and gained confidence in choosing what is right even when it is costly.

The Level Two group ventured into the world of artificial intelligence, discovering tools that help automate tasks, create online content, enhance customer service, and streamline their work. Their excitement grew as they practiced hands-on exercises and recognized how modern tools can actually strengthen their ability to serve their communities.

But it was the business visits that really grabbed my heart.

• At Yoanilyn’s business, Aquilina encouraged her gently, acknowledging the fear caused by the unusual wave of petty thefts. This once-quiet town is unsettled, yet hope remains steady.

• Jackeline spoke about the lack of sales in her shop. Times are hard, but Aquilina reminded her that God has carried His people through hardship before and will do so again.

• And with Esteban, conversation turned to costly electricity and power outages that keep businesses from staying afloat. His frustration is understandable, but he is determined to persevere.

These are not statistics. They are lives. They are dreams. They are people who are committed to growing and thriving in the place God has planted them.

Responding With Love in the Midst of Loss

Thanks to the generosity of so many of you, more than five hundred emergency kits have already been distributed to families in Petit-Goâve. Each one contains food, hygiene products, first-aid supplies, and clothing—essentials for families who have lost nearly everything.

The death toll has risen to 43, and search efforts continue. Many of the victims were laid to rest yesterday in a State Funeral Service.

The grief in the community is heavy, yet your compassion is helping ease the weight little by little. If you feel prompted to help us continue responding, your support will place hope directly into the hands of families who are still struggling to stand again. Every contribution helps us assemble the next kit for a family in need. Please click here to respond.

Faces and Stories That Keep Us Going

One of the updates that touched me deeply this week came from our teachers in Haiti. They told me how determined the students have been, even with everything happening around them. The classrooms are alive with persistence, children leaning in, tracing letters, sounding out words, absorbing new concepts with a hunger that goes far beyond academics. Our teachers pour themselves into these moments. They stay late. They give extra help. They create learning spaces where a child who is struggling can finally see themselves succeed. Hearing from them reminds me that education is not only shaping minds, but restoring confidence day by day.

Medical, Dental, and Lab Care in Haiti

The clinic team also shared stories that left my heart tender. They talked about wounds tended, infections caught early, and patients who arrived discouraged but left hopeful. The lab has been bustling, running tests that help our providers diagnose conditions quickly so treatment can begin without delay. In the dental area, gentle hands cared for those who had endured pain far too long. These small victories add up to something extraordinary: people who are stronger, healthier, and able to care for their families because someone cared for them first.

Feeding Babies through START NOW

Our START NOW program continues to be a lifeline for dozens of little ones. Reports came in from both Haiti and the Dominican Republic describing babies who are thriving, and mothers who are breathing easier. These early months are so fragile, especially for families facing food insecurity. The team reminded me again how crucial it is that these children receive consistent nourishment. Every single feeding is a step toward health, toward growth, toward a future their parents once questioned they would live to see.

One team member shared how meaningful lunchtime has become for so many children. For some, the meal they receive at school is the best and only complete meal they will eat that day. When a child sits down to eat without worry, without rushing, without wondering if food will be available tomorrow, something profound happens in their spirit. Hunger is replaced with focus. Anxiety gives way to peace. A simple bowl of rice becomes an expression of God’s care for them. I am so grateful for each of you who support these children monthly, ensuring that food is always there for them. Thank you!

These images remind me of God’s promise: “Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord.” Colossians 3:23

Playtime

Playtime has been so vital this week. With so much chaos in the world around them, these little ones need movement and joy. Watching them engage in cooperative games reassures our staff that childhood is still alive and well, even in difficult places. Laughter has a healing quality. It reminds children that they are safe, loved, and allowed to be children.

This is what the work looks like. This is what your partnership is accomplishing.

Sun Sea & Sisterhood 2026 is Coming!!!

My heart and mind are overflowing with anticipation for our upcoming women’s retreat, Sun, Sea & Sisterhood. This gathering is a sacred blend of mission, friendship, and spiritual renewal. In this place, women from different backgrounds, churches, and life experiences come together and discover how beautifully God weaves our stories. It’s a time to draw closer to Christ, to lean into deeper understanding, and to open our hearts to the quiet revelations He places before us. I treasure the moments when we listen to one another and suddenly realize that God has been speaking in our own lives all along. We just needed to hear the echo of His work in a sister beside us. Sun, Sea & Sisterhood is more than an event; it’s a space where needs are seen with compassion, where gifts are recognized with joy, and where each woman is reminded that she carries a unique, God-given ability to touch the world as His representative. I encourage you, women, to step out and participate with me! Husbands, Christmas is coming. What an incredible gift this would be for your wife. Its effects will ripple throughout your family and community, and will be felt for days, months, and years to come! Visit our website for more information or to register today!

With Grateful Hearts

Lex and I have been in Charlotte this week, visiting with many of our excellent partners, including our dear friends from Bless Back Worldwide. What an honor it is to serve the King together by caring for HIS beloved.

Lex and I are continually moved by your compassion, faithfulness, and the way you constantly make room in your hearts for children, families, pastors, teachers, farmers, and small business owners across Haiti and the Dominican Republic.

You are essential to the well-being of our friends in both nations, and we are deeply honored to walk this road with such an extraordinary community of people. Your kindness is changing lives: one story, one smile, one act of love at a time.