Why Presence Matters

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Sunday, April 26, 2026 - [click here to support the continuing work at MOHI]

Today's update is from Jonathan and Taran

At Mission of Hope International, one of the greatest gifts we receive each year is the presence of people who choose to come and serve alongside us.

Short-term mission trips—what we call HOPE Encounters—are about so much more than travel. They are about encouragement, partnership, shared purpose, and the powerful impact of simply showing up.

Later in this update, Jonathan shares a moving reflection on why presence matters and how lives are changed through these encounters. His words beautifully capture something we see again and again:

Hope is not only something we give. It is something we share.

And this year, we have already seen that truth in so many ways.

From teams serving from Massachusetts, Connecticut, North Carolina, and beyond, to supporters praying, giving, and standing with us from afar, 2026 has already been filled with meaningful partnership.

When people come, communities are strengthened. When people come, our staff is encouraged. When people come, new projects move forward. When people come, hope becomes visible.

A Look Back at 2026 So Far

This year has already been filled with growth, ministry, and momentum.

We have welcomed multiple teams who have served in villages, hosted children’s programs, assisted with feeding initiatives, prayed in homes, supported churches, and worked alongside our staff.

We have also seen:

Medical teams caring for families with dignity and compassion
Teams investing in future entrepreneurs through Business Academy coaching
Leadership teams helping equip pastors and local leaders
Women gathering for Sun, Sea & Sisterhood
Family mission trip planning underway
Construction preparations for the Mission House expansion
Daily feeding programs continuing across both nations

And we are just getting started.

Why Teams Matter

Sometimes people ask, “Does one week really make a difference?”

The answer is yes.

When teams come, they bring fresh energy and encouragement to those serving year-round.

They help create special moments for children through games, crafts, worship, and VBS-style programs.

They assist with practical needs and help advance projects that would otherwise take much longer.

They encourage local pastors and churches.

They bring peace and calm into communities that often carry stress and uncertainty.

And they return home able to share what they have seen—becoming advocates for people whose stories need to be heard.

Presence matters.

Upcoming Opportunities to Serve

As we look ahead, there are many opportunities for people with different gifts and passions to be involved.

Construction Teams Needed

We are actively looking for teams to help with the roof replacement and expansion of the Mission House in Luperón.

This project will allow us to host more teams, expand ministry capacity, and better serve the surrounding communities.

We especially need people with experience in:

Roofing
Carpentry
Framing
Plumbing
Electrical work
General construction

Family Mission Trip

One of the most meaningful ways to experience missions is by serving together as a family.

Our Family Mission Trip is designed to give parents and children the opportunity to grow closer to one another while serving others in a powerful and unforgettable way.

Families will have the chance to:

Serve children and communities together
Experience another culture firsthand
Grow in faith through shared ministry experiences
Create lasting memories with purpose
Show children what compassion and service look like in action

There is something special about watching families step outside of their normal routines and discover how God can use every member of the family—young and old alike.

If you would like to learn more, we invite you to join us for an upcoming informational meeting.

Family Mission Trip Information Session

May 3 at 2:00 PM112 Central St, Gardner, MA

Come hear more about the trip, ask questions, and explore how your family can be part of what God is doing in the Dominican Republic.

Haiti Updates

Physical Therapy Office Near Completion

We are excited to share that the new Physical Therapy Office is nearing completion.

This will expand the care available through our clinic and meet an important need for many patients who have had limited access to rehabilitation services.

Start Now Feeding Program

This initiative supports babies and toddlers in both Haiti and the Dominican Republic—including communities of Grand Goave, La Grua and Baraguana.

We have learned that early nutrition matters deeply.

By helping children receive proper nourishment from infancy, we are helping them grow healthier, stronger, and more prepared to learn when they enter school.

Mothers are also supported with vitamins and guidance, helping entire families start strong.

School Year Progress

Students are now in their third trimester, receiving encouraging results from recent testing and continuing to grow academically.

We have about a month and a half left in the school year, and we are proud of the effort our students and teachers continue to show.

Prayer Requests

Heavy rain continues in Haiti, bringing flooding and difficult travel conditions.

There have also been ongoing power issues, and obtaining fuel for generators has become increasingly difficult.

Please pray for our staff as they faithfully continue running the school, clinic, church, and feeding programs through these daily challenges.

Dominican Republic Updates

Feeding and Children’s Programs Continue

Every day, infants and toddlers continue receiving meals, while older children are welcomed into after-school programs in villages like La Grua.

These programs are about more than food.

They are about development, structure, mentorship, and helping children grow into healthy and productive young people.

Preparing for Summer Teams

Our Dominican team has been working hard preparing the Mission House, organizing supplies, maintaining the property, and getting ready to welcome many teams this summer.

We are grateful for how faithfully they serve behind the scenes.

Rain Brings Challenges Here Too

The Dominican Republic has also experienced heavy rain.

For many families, rain can mean flooded homes, overflowing rivers, transportation challenges, and disrupted daily life.

It is a reminder not to take simple comforts for granted.

Business Academy Update

The Business Academy continues to create real momentum.

This week students focused on:

Level 1:

Business Planning

Learning how to define goals, identify resources, and build a roadmap for success.

Level 2:

Social Media Marketing

Developing strategies to use digital platforms effectively and reach the right audience.

Students participated actively, asked thoughtful questions, and shared how the course is helping strengthen their businesses.

We also had the joy of visiting several graduates and students who are applying what they have learned in their real businesses throughout Luperón.

Planning plus skill development creates opportunity.

Jonathan Update

Why Your Presence Matters: The Power of HOPE Encounters

At Mission of Hope International, we often say that hope is not just something we give—it’s something we share. And nowhere is that more evident than through our short-term mission trips, what we call HOPE Encounters.

Over the past several years, the landscape of our work has shifted. While Haiti remains at the heart of our mission, ongoing challenges have made it difficult to bring teams directly into the country. But the work has not stopped—far from it.

Along the northern border of the Dominican Republic, alongside both Haitian and Dominican communities, hope is alive and growing.

In these places—sometimes overlooked, often underserved—we’ve seen firsthand how lives can be transformed through presence, partnership, and consistency. Children are being educated. Families are being supported. Communities are being strengthened. And through it all, hope is taking root in ways that are both tangible and lasting.

On a personal note, I (Jonathan) still find myself in awe of what has happened in such a short time. I can hardly believe the changes I’ve witnessed in the communities where MOHI serves in just the six months or so since I first came down to the Dominican Republic.

Today, I visited a young boy I met early on—a child who, at the time, was completely nonverbal. His skin was covered in infection, and because of his developmental disability, his own family had largely cast him aside. There was little affection. Little engagement. Very little hope.

But today was different.

Today, his mother was engaged with him—present in a way that simply wasn’t there before. And this little boy, who once said nothing at all, is now beginning to speak. Words like “mom,” “dad,” and “bye.” Small words, maybe—but enormous victories.

This kind of transformation doesn’t happen by accident.

There is no doubt in my mind that this progress is, in part, the result of the short-term missioners who first met this child and his family—who saw him, who spent time with him, who showed love where there had been little. And just as importantly, those who have come after them, continuing to invest, to return, to build on what was started—continuing to bring this boy hope.

But this kind of work is never done alone.

As we look ahead to 2026, Mission of Hope International is preparing for several significant capital projects in both Haiti and the Dominican Republic. These projects represent more than buildings or infrastructure—they represent opportunity. Opportunity for education, for stability, for dignity, and for long-term impact.

And they require support.

Often, that support comes in the form of teams—individuals and groups willing to step out of their comfort zones and into someone else’s reality, even if just for a short time. HOPE Encounters are not about having all the answers. They’re about showing up.

Sometimes what we need most is your expertise—your skills in construction, education, healthcare, administration, or leadership. Those gifts can move projects forward in powerful and practical ways.

But just as often, what we need is something much simpler and just as meaningful: your presence.

A conversation. A shared meal. Playing with children. Listening to a story. Sitting with a family. These moments may seem small, but they carry weight. They remind people that they are seen, valued, and not alone.

And in a world where so many feel forgotten, that matters deeply.

HOPE Encounters are not one-sided experiences. They are exchanges. As much as teams come to serve, they often leave changed—impacted by the resilience, faith, and joy of the communities they encounter.

So whether you come with a specific skill set or simply a willing heart, there is a place for you in this work.

The need is real. The opportunities are growing. And the invitation is open.

Come be part of what hope looks like—together.

Closing Thought

Sometimes the greatest impact does not come from grand gestures.

Sometimes it comes from showing up.

A shared meal. A helping hand. A prayer in someone’s home. Playing with a child. Using your skill to solve a problem. Standing beside someone who needs encouragement.

That is the power of presence.

And that is what HOPE Encounters are all about.

Thank you for continuing to show up with us.