Building Hope
Sunday, February 2, 2025 - [click here to support the continuing work at MOHI]
Today's update is from Taran and Renée
As we enter another impactful season at Mission of Hope International, we continue to see God’s hand at work in the Dominican Republic and Haiti.
This past week has been filled with growth and transformation, from expanding feeding programs to strengthening leadership development.
Strengthening the START NOW and Hope Squad Feeding Programs
Our START NOW baby feeding program and Hope Squad children’s feeding program continue providing critical nutrition and mentorship to families in need. Over the past week, we have worked to bring more structure and intentional mentorship to these programs, ensuring they provide food and foster deeper faith connections for the mothers and children involved.
✅ Added mentorship for mothers, offering guidance on hygiene, breastfeeding, and daily health habits.
✅ Increased prayer and faith integration to ensure each meal is also an opportunity to share God’s love.
✅ Expanded structure for feeding operations, ensuring efficiency and consistent care.
We currently have 20 children in the Hope Squad program who still need sponsors. If you feel led to support a child, you will make a direct impact on one child. We know from Pastor Lex's life story that child sponsorship can alter the entire trajectory of a child's life. Email us today at childservices@mohintl.org to get started.
Business & Leadership Growth in the DR
We are excited to see continued growth in the Business Academy, with new registrations coming in for computer classes and business training. This past week, we also began training additional coaches to help expand the program’s reach.
In addition, we are preparing for our upcoming Leadership Seminar, where we will host local pastors and leaders for a time of training, encouragement, and vision casting for the year ahead. Among those joining us are a couple of our board members and some pastoral friends from the States.
We look forward to sharing updates as the seminar unfolds!
Special Visitors: Connecting Local & Global Impact
This past week, we had the privilege of hosting visitors from Massachusetts, including business connections and Lex & Renee’s daughter, Alexis. These three guests work directly with immigrants and refugees—many of whom are Haitian—in their local communities. It was significant for them to see firsthand the work we are doing in the DR, especially within the Haitian refugee communities. Seeing the villages and understanding the realities these families face has deepened their commitment to serving others back home. We are grateful for these growing connections and the shared vision for transformation.
Expanding Our Mission: A Permanent Home in Luperón
One of the biggest steps we are taking this year is purchasing the Mission House in Luperón. This space has been instrumental in hosting teams and serving as a base for our work in the DR. Now, we have the opportunity to establish a permanent footprint.
📌 Immediate Need: $80,000 by April 1 for the down payment and closing costs.
📌 Total Goal for 2025: $650,000 for down payment, purchase and some needed maintenance such as updating the plumbing.
📌 We need skilled teams this summer and fall for construction, plumbing, and electrical work.
Would you consider partnering with us to make this mission house a reality?
Haiti Clinic: Providing Critical Care
Despite the challenges Haiti continues to face, our medical clinic remains fully operational, thanks to God’s provision and the generosity of our supporters.
🩺 Medical Team: 2 doctors, 2 dentists, 3 nurses, 1 lab technician, and a dental assistant.
💊 Fully stocked pharmacy, even as many hospitals in Haiti struggle to secure medicine.
👩⚕️ Serving both students and the local community, ensuring families receive essential healthcare.
God and faith are central in every part of MOHI's work. We love seeing our nurses start the clinic day by praying for the patients before they see the doctor. In this picture, you can see Nurse Wolfyn singing and praying with patients to start the day before opening the clinic. She reminds them that although we have medicine and doctors, we need to remember that God is our source and He is the one we should set our eyes on above all else.
A special thank you to Bless Back Worldwide for their continued partnership in providing medical care and supplies.
Join Us on a Mission Trip!
As our calendar fills up with mission teams, we invite you to come experience the work firsthand. Whether you are skilled in construction, medical care, business training, or simply have a heart for service, there is a place for you!
📅 Upcoming Open Trips:
✅ June (first two weeks): Open to individuals & small groups.
✅ Other weeks available for church and community groups (10-15 people).
If you’re interested in joining a team, visit our website for details and registration or email renee@mohintl.org
A Full Circle of Hope: Kendy’s Family Story
Years ago, MOHI helped rescue a group of children from an orphanage in Leogan, returning many to their families. Among them were Kendy and his sister, who were sent home to their mother, Mireille. When we arrived at their home, we were heartbroken to find their younger brother, Asson, severely malnourished—his hair bright red from malnutrition, his belly distended, and his tiny body clothed in rags.
At that moment, we questioned if we had done the right thing. But God had a bigger plan.
Mireille and her children eventually moved to Grand-Goâve, where they became part of the MOHI family. Over the years, Kendy learned English, connected with mission teams, and became known and loved by many. A group of visitors from Kids Against Hunger were so moved by their story that they helped build and furnish a home for the family.
As the years went on, Mireille gave birth to another child, Stanley, and later, in a moment none of us will forget, she arrived at the mission gates on a motorcycle, about to give birth. With a team from Bless Back Worldwide on site, baby Melissa was delivered right at MOHI’s gate. Melissa, named after two dear friends of MOHI, is now thriving in our school.
And the story continues—just this week, Mireille was seen in our clinic with her newest baby. From an orphanage rescue to a thriving family, this journey is a testament to God’s faithfulness, the power of community, and the ongoing impact of love in action.
Thank you to every supporter who has been part of this family’s incredible journey. Your generosity changes lives for generations.
Thank You for Your Support!
None of this would be possible without your generosity and prayers. Hundreds of children and families are being served because of you. Thank you for being a part of this journey with us!
Stay connected with us for more updates, testimonies, and opportunities to get involved. Together, we are building hope and seeing lives transformed!
