The Sleeping Giant Within Us
- Renée Edmé
- 1 day ago
- 9 min read
Updated: 20 hours ago
Sunday, January 18, 2026 - [click here to support the continuing work at MOHI]
Today's update is from Taran and Jonathan
Mission Trip Updates:
Last week, we had the joy of welcoming five visitors from Faith Christian Church, along with two friends traveling from California, to the mission house in Luperón.
From the moment they arrived, they were eager to jump in and serve. Throughout the village, they spent time coloring with the children, playing games, and leading crafts—simple moments that quickly became meaningful connections. It was a beautiful reminder that when we show up with willing hearts, God is faithful to use even the smallest acts of love. "And let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works." (Hebrews 10:24)
One of the children’s favorite activities was making sock puppets. Laughter filled the room as creativity came to life, and it became a fun and engaging way to introduce a children’s Bible song. These hands-on experiences help create safe spaces for learning, joy, and spiritual growth—places where curiosity is stirred, and faith begins to awaken.
Our recent teams have also been working with the children to create and perform skits based on Bible stories and lessons. The kids have loved learning about God through music, creativity, and storytelling—each activity meeting them where they are and helping faith come alive in fresh ways.
“Preach the gospel at all times; when necessary use words.” ~ Saint Francis of Assisi
It is always humbling to witness the impact our visitors have on those we serve each day. Whether connecting with our staff, local partners, or the children themselves, our teams are continually learning about Jesus as they see His love expressed through shared time, service, and presence. Often, it is in these quiet, faithful moments that something deeper is stirred—both in those who are served and in those who come to serve.
We’re also excited to welcome our friends from Bless Back Worldwide, who are serving with us this week. Their partnership with us has transformed the well-being of thousands across the island. It was special that the teams had a slight overlap at the airport and were able to meet one another.
If you’ve ever considered joining a mission trip, we would love to have you come alongside us this year. Whether you travel with your church, business, or organization—or join one of our open-enrollment trips—you will play a meaningful role in the work God is doing here. Sometimes saying "Yes!" is all it takes to awaken a calling that has been quietly waiting. "Here am I. Send me!" (Isaiah 6:8)
Email for more info at support@mohintl.org
Updates From our International Leadership:
Each week, our international staff gathers together on Zoom—a time to connect, encourage one another, and begin the week aligned in purpose. As the new year began, it was especially meaningful to see familiar faces and hear how the work is continuing across each country we serve. These times of shared vision remind us that we are part of something much larger than ourselves.
Our team in Haiti shared how joyful it has been to welcome the children and staff back to school after Christmas break. Roseland, our school director, spoke about the deep love she has for her work and the children she serves—a reminder of the faithfulness and dedication present in our local leadership. "And whatever you do, do it heartily, as for the Lord and not for men." (Colossians 3:23)
Benard shared a powerful moment from the Dominican Republic. Due to immigration challenges, he had to pause visits to one of the villages for a time. When he was finally able to return, the children ran to him, hugging him with excitement and joy. He shared that in that moment, he was reminded that his presence truly matters. “It showed me that my work really makes an impact,” he said. Moments of connection like this can awaken renewed purpose and courage to keep going.
In Haiti, the babies in our START NOW program were also celebrating a small but significant milestone this week—they were able to enjoy an extra spoonful of peanut butter with their meals. This simple addition provides much-needed protein to help support their growth and development. We are deeply grateful to those who helped collect and ship this supply, making moments like this possible. "Give, and it will be given to you..." (Luke 6:38). Know that our friends in Haiti are not only grateful for this provision for their children, but they are also praying for you.
Sponsorship Program Updates:
We want to take a moment to share an important update regarding our Dominican Republic sponsorship program—one rooted in our commitment to transparency, integrity, and trust with those who walk alongside us.
This month, we are shifting our Dominican Republic sponsorships to support the programs themselves, rather than being tied to a specific individual child. This change reflects the realities on the ground. Due to the transient nature of many families’ lives, children may not always be able to attend consistently, and we want to ensure that the support entrusted to us is used faithfully and responsibly.
One of our core values at Mission of Hope International is trustworthiness, and that means being honest about how programs operate and how your generosity is making an impact. Through the Hope Squad and Start Now programs, we continue to serve many children each week—providing hundreds of meals, consistent care, and a safe place to learn and grow.
To those who continue to support these programs: thank you. Your faithfulness allows us to meet children where they are and respond with flexibility, compassion, and care.
For those who desire a one-on-one sponsorship relationship, we are still able to offer that opportunity through our school in Haiti. These sponsorships are connected to specific children, allowing for letter writing and a personal connection with a name and face behind the support.
If you do not currently sponsor a child but feel led to learn more about sponsorship—whether program-based in the Dominican Republic or child-specific in Haiti—we would love to talk with you.
Please reach out to us, and we’ll be happy to walk alongside you as you discern the best fit.
Project Updates:
We are seeing an increasing need for a community bathhouse in La Grúa, Dominican Republic.
Recently, after a simple slip-and-slide activity, we watched as children tried to clean themselves using buckets and water from the nearby river. It was a small moment, but one that clearly reminded us how important access to clean, safe bathing facilities truly is. Moments like this stir something deep within us—a reminder that dignity and care matter profoundly.
Thanks to a water project completed in 2025, La Grúa now has access to clean drinking water. While this has been a significant step forward, that water is not currently piped into showers, sinks, or toilets. As a result, many families continue to bathe in the river or rely on buckets for basic hygiene.
Our vision is to build a community bathhouse that would serve the entire village—providing six shower stalls, six toilet stalls, and a row of sinks with access to clean water. This facility would restore dignity, promote health, and meet a very real daily need. "Speak up for those who cannot speak for themselves" (Proverbs 31:8).
The estimated cost of this project is $95,000.
If you feel led, we invite you to pray with us as we seek God’s provision and discern next steps. And if you’re interested in learning more about how you might support this project, we would love to continue the conversation with you.
A Word From Jonathan:
Sleep is a strange thing. It restores us, yes—but it also hides things. While we sleep, entire worlds inside us remain quiet: ideas not yet spoken, compassion not yet exercised, courage not yet tested, purpose not yet fully claimed. I’ve been thinking a lot lately about how much of who we are lives dormant inside us, waiting—patiently—for something to wake it up.
Recently, while in the Dominican Republic, I had an experience that brought this reflection into sharp focus. I was accompanying a group of missionaries who were visiting the coastal town of Luperón. We decided to spend some time by the ocean, swimming along the shores of the North Atlantic. The beach itself was stunning—blue water stretching endlessly toward the horizon, the rhythmic sound of waves rolling in, the kind of beauty that quiets the noise inside your head.
But just beyond the shoreline stood something unexpected: the remains of what was once the Luperón Beach Resort.
We decided to walk through it.
What we found felt like a ghost town—an entire resort village abandoned to time. Building after building stood stripped down to their foundations. Doors were gone. Furniture long removed. Kitchens bare. Bars emptied of glassware and decoration. What remained were shells—walls, open rooms, exposed ceilings, and a massive reception hall with cathedral-like height, open to the sky and the elements. There was even a pool, sloping gently from shallow to deep, with small island-style mini-bars scattered throughout the property, now silent and unused.
As we walked through it, I couldn’t help but imagine what it must have been like in its prime. Thousands of tourists passing through over the years. Jobs created. Memories made. Celebrations held. Laughter echoing through those halls. Life lived fully, vibrantly, intentionally.
And now—stillness.
That abandoned resort stayed with me long after we left. Not just because of what it once was, but because of what it could still be—and wasn’t.
I realized, standing there, that I’ve felt like that resort at times in my own life.
Even with decades of meaningful experiences, cherished memories, and life-altering moments behind me, there have been seasons where I felt stripped down. Where the vitality, confidence, and sense of calling felt distant. Where I wondered if my best days were behind me instead of ahead of me. Where I felt like a shell of who I once was—or who I believed I was meant to be.
And as I walked through that abandoned property, I couldn’t shake the thought: What a waste.
Not in a judgmental sense—but in a grieving sense. A grief for unrealized potential. For opportunity left untouched. For goodness that could still exist if someone was willing to invest, rebuild, and reimagine.
It made me think about how easy it is for us, as people, to become comfortable with dormancy. To sit idle. To convince ourselves that this version of ourselves—the quieter, safer, smaller version—is “good enough.” But when we do that, we don’t just shortchange ourselves. We shortchange the world.
That’s where this mission trip came back into focus for me.
Serving alongside the Mission of Hope International team in the Dominican Republic—delivering compassionate services, meeting people where they are, extending empathy, mercy, and dignity—has a way of waking something up inside you. It disrupts the narrative that the world is only broken and bleak. It reminds you that goodness is still alive, that justice is still worth pursuing, and that your presence—your hands, your heart, your willingness—still matters.
In a world saturated with discouraging headlines, endless social media outrage, and a constant stream of global crises, it’s easy to feel overwhelmed or paralyzed. It’s easy to retreat inward and go numb. But maybe what we need in those moments isn’t more information—it’s incarnation. Proximity. Service. Purpose larger than ourselves.
Maybe what we need is to step into places like Luperón. To walk alongside people who remind us why compassion matters. To put our faith, values, and convictions into motion. To wake the sleeping giant within us.
If you’re feeling uncertain about your direction…
If you feel like a shell of who you once were…
If the noise of the world has dulled your hope…
Maybe it’s time to consider something different. Something embodied. Something sacrificial. Something meaningful.
A mission trip—like one with Mission of Hope International in the Dominican Republic—might not just change how you see the world. It might change how you see yourself. And in doing so, it might help you rediscover the fullness of who you were always meant to be.
Sometimes, all it takes to awaken what’s dormant within us is a willingness to show up—for others—and in doing so, we find ourselves restored too
Business Academy Update:
In the Dominican Republic, our Business Academy students are preparing for graduation.
Over the past weeks, they have been working diligently on their graduation presentations and speeches, which they will share in the coming days. This is a meaningful milestone—an opportunity for each student to reflect on what they’ve learned and to articulate their vision for the future. Watching these students step forward with confidence is a powerful reminder of what can happen when potential is nurtured and awakened.
As they look ahead, the students are excited to step into the next growth phase of their businesses, applying the skills, confidence, and principles they’ve developed throughout this season. We are grateful to walk alongside them and celebrate the progress they continue to make.
With Grateful Hearts:
As we reflect on all that is happening—from children discovering joy and faith, to leaders persevering through challenges, to communities dreaming of healthier futures—we are deeply aware that none of this happens in isolation. To every partner who prays, gives, serves, encourages, and believes in this work: thank you. Your faithfulness helps awaken hope, restore dignity, and breathe life into places—and people—where potential might otherwise remain dormant. We are honored to walk this journey with you, and we remain sincerely grateful for the way God uses our shared obedience to awaken the good He has planted in each person.
