Feliz Año Nuevo

January 1, 2023

I've prayed for you all so much over this past week. I hope this Christmas was special for you and that this new year will bring you renewed and/or new hope.

In Haïti, our students enjoyed Christmas festivities and gifts before Christmas break.

In the Dominican Republic, we supported the local public school with its Christmas extravaganza. I love how the school was decorated for Christmas with mentions of the birth of Jesus throughout. The students enjoyed a special meal, and all the students (420) received a gift.

Pastor Lex and I met in Massachusetts to enjoy time with our family. It was so much fun that I never thought to take pictures.

It is fun seeing Mireille and Melissa (who was born at MOHI's front gate!) dressed up for the Christmas activities.

The students and staff had a lot to complete before Christmas.

Smiles abound on the playground!

The school's administrative team is sometimes hard to find, as they do not sit in the office all day.

These hard-working women make sure places and things are kept clean.

Boss Harold keeps the vehicles clean and Running!

The dentists at MOHI don't usually need help to stay busy.

Pastor Lex did a little "triage" with Dr. Mabou when she had a break in patients. As we all know, you shouldn't wait for a toothache before visiting the dentist. Right?

Of course, Lex continuously checks in with the medical clinic, too. We have been seeing a lot of patients with fungal infections and scabies. When he sees a child in this condition, everything in him screams to help NOW.

While the clinic started explicitly to care for our students, it has become an excellent resource for the community and beyond. Young and old alike take advantage of our services.

Dr. Evens is sporting his new stethoscope from our friends at Bless Back Worldwide!

Asley is a shining star at MOHI. She absolutely loves what she does as a lab tech. The tests that she performs often mean the difference between a patient finding a solution to their problem or going home to continue suffering.

The babies are eating, taking vitamins, and growing at MOHI!

There's a lot of work to do to get a garden ready to plant, including hauling in some good soil and manure!

We're excited to have Chel join us in Luperòn this week! Like Angie, Lisa, and Carole-Ann, her experience with us in Haïti will help set a good foundation for future teams.

I appreciate each of you and the way you continually encourage us and support the many different aspects of ministry at Mission of Hope International. Together we will see that, truly the best is yet to come.

Jesus proclaimed who He is and the ministry which He came to perform when He read from Isaiah 61:1-3,

“The Spirit of the Lord God is upon me, because the Lord has anointed me to bring good news to the poor; he has sent me to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim liberty to the captives, and the opening of the prison to those who are bound; to proclaim the year of the Lord’s favor, and the day of vengeance of our God; to comfort all who mourn; to grant to those who mourn in Zion—to give them a beautiful headdress instead of ashes, the oil of gladness instead of mourning, the garment of praise instead of a faint spirit; that they may be called oaks of righteousness, the planting of the Lord, that he may be glorified.”

When we choose to follow Jesus and are adopted as sons and daughters, we become a part of His body here on earth. May He work through you and me in this manner throughout 2023!