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Grateful for an encouraging time of teaching and student sponsorship follow up over the last several days on the island. We were able to host 27 local leaders in Lagonave for 3 days of study on the atonement of Christ Jesus as we move into this Christmas season. No matter what struggles we face, the reconciliation of God and humankind through Jesus is ALWAYS reason to rejoice!
Special thanks to partners at WISH for allowing us to rent space at their great Resource Centre!
We’re also very grateful for the progress our students are making as they finish semester exams and prepare for 2 weeks of Christmas break. We couldn’t carry out this ministry without those of you who help invest in the hearts and minds of the beautiful people of Haiti. Despite the challenges, we see strength and hope in the eyes of these friends. Continue to pray for political stability as God develops future leaders for the island of Lagonave and Haiti as a whole. 🇭🇹
God Bless and Merry Christmas!
As most of you know, Haiti continues to experience political demonstrations which are impacting the country in a major way. The island of Lagonave is particularly compromised as road closures coupled with a lack of fuel has shut down all transfer
of supplies from the mainland. At this point we simply ask for prayer on behalf of our team in Haiti...We very much appreciate the many who choose to sponsor HFL students and contribute to special projects. These contributions and partnerships provide real economic help in terms of our ability to provide consistent employment to locals during these difficult times. Please pray for peace, safety and resolution. That in this time of difficulty, the Lord would draw many to Himself. John 16:33
We had 40 in attendance for our annual primary school teacher training seminar last week! School kicked off TODAY in Haiti, so please pray for all students and staff as things get underway. Thanks again to those who choose to partner with us to invest in HFL staffing and students. God Bless!
“Many are the plans in the mind of a man, but it is the purpose of the Lord that will stand.” Proverbs 19:21 - As we prepare for the upcoming school year in Lagonave, we are grateful to look back these last 13 years and see firsthand this truth...In times of tragedy and pain may we remember to trust the Lord’s plans over our own...Thanks to everyone who has partnered with us in building this ministry. We remain focused on education which includes ongoing training and employment for now more than 60 island locals. Please pray for all teachers and leaders who will be attending our training seminar in the coming days and each student as the first day approaches. That they come hungry to learn and grow in the Lord. Thanks so much & God Bless.
As HFL students prepare to finish another year, these youngsters send their “bye-bye’s” and “Thank you’s” to all involved in this work. As with all countries, Haiti has it’s struggles...Things aren’t always easy or smooth..BUT, by Gods grace, in September we are happy to announce we will be expanding to include 12th grade. This expansion will create 3 more teaching jobs, bringing our total to 64 local employees. We remain focused on job creation and preparing the youth of Lagonave to become responsible, contributing citizens and leaders who are guided by the truth of God. Thanks to our many sponsors! We pray we are able to provide even more opportunities in the coming year so please help us raise awareness for our need of more sponsors for the upcoming school year. 👍🏻🇭🇹
Very productive trip last week in LaGonave. A particular area of encouragement was our getting the opportunity to see progress being made on the new cistern at the HFL school in Bwa Pen. Job creation for locals and water soon to come for this remote area! This cistern will help with the preparing of food, drinking water, as well as help in maintaining a garden for the school. Thanks SO much to the partners who contributed to this gift in the Bwa Pen community. God Bless!
Heavy hearted today for the people of Haiti as protests become increasingly violent. Nine have died and this morning the U.S. Department of State has raised the travel alert to the “Do Not Travel” level 4.
Due to the unrest, 2 from our team along with many other missionaries had to be airlifted from LaGonave 5 days earlier than planned. We are thankful to have visited 4 of our 5 schools beforehand and are happy to report that despite this step back, our students and teachers are doing well. We will be back on the island as soon as things settle down a bit. Please be in prayer for Haiti and her people which we love.
Lunch break smiles! Providing food at school not only fuels our kids in learning, but helps support many local merchants in LaGonave. Thankful for the many who help us continue feeding programs at each of our 5 schools. God Bless you.
But God shows His love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us. Romans 5:8
Thankful for all our students, teachers, and leadership team in Haiti. As we near the finish of 2018 we say thank you to the many who have helped us impact the remote areas of LaGonave with education, nutrition, and job creation.
Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!
Thankful for 35 leaders who met with a focus to learn during our fourth annual Biblical teaching seminar held last week in Anse-a-Galet. Many thanks to Ben Rush who volunteers his time and teaching talent during this 3 day event. Additional thanks to Robin Churchill and WISH for the great facility to gather, our translator partners, and those who contributed to transportation of each leader and food costs. May God continue to guide and provide for His people in Lagonave.
Please pray for Haiti. A 5.8 earthquake last night caused damage in the northern part of the country. They have reported 11 fatalities. All our teachers and students are safe.
Happy to report that HFL schools are off to a great start. Thankful for all who have partnered with us to carry out this ministry. Particularly enjoyed hosting the Wilson family who joined us this week in LaGonave to meet the children they sponsor. Many thanks as well to Robin Nagy Jackson for providing a new Bible to the young man she sponsors. Please continue to pray for our teaching staff and kids as we close out 2018 strong! 🇭🇹
Happy to report that we will be distributing these to first through sixth graders in HFL schools. They are reserved for those who have a specific need for shoes and no resources to get them. It’s important to protect the business of local vendors who sell shoes, while also recognizing there are extreme instances where we can and should take action to help. Thanks much to those who contributed. We recognize and appreciate your trusting our team to steward this gift well.
The Best Item for Your Mission Trip Checklist
theshoethatgrows.org
Make the most of your trip by taking an impact item.During summer break our Haitian leadership group in LaGonave are preparing for more students for the upcoming year. This includes our adding more jobs along with more classrooms in each of our 5 schools. Thanks to the many who partner with us to carry out this work. May our ultimate aim in ALL we do be to exalt the King of Kings and Lord of Lords as we educate the next generation of Haitian leaders. God Bless!
Our annual board meeting came to a close yesterday. On behalf of our 564 students and 53 teachers, THANK YOU! Without the support of so many we wouldn’t be able to provide teaching jobs, training, curriculum, and lunches at school for these future leaders in Haiti.
With progress however, we do still have setbacks. Today we continue to see violent demonstrations in Port au Prince as a result of major increases in gas prices. Please join us in praying for the individuals contributing to the unrest as well as for the safety of the normally peaceful Haitian people who choose peace over destruction. God Bless.