From Glory to Glory
Sunday, January 5, 2025 - [click here to support the continuing work at MOHI]
Let me start today by wishing each of you a happy, healthy, peaceful, and prosperous New Year. This is how our friends at MOHI in Grand-Goâve welcomed the new year:
Welcome to the Dominican Republic, our young friends (Ilianna, Ava, Brian, Justin, Jason, Janel, Prince, and Joy) from Chair City Church, and our architect from Cambridge, MA, Paul Fallon!!!
We're off to a great start!
Reflecting on 2024: A Year of Growth and God's Provision
As we step into 2025, I want to take a moment to reflect on the highlights of 2024 at Mission of Hope International (MOHI). Each year brings its challenges and opportunities, but through it all, God’s faithfulness and provision shine brightly. While there are countless moments worthy of mention, I’ve chosen a few to share with you today. I hope these highlights will encourage and inspire you as much as they have me!
Haiti: Resilience and Progress
2024 was a year of transition for MOHI in Haiti. After our country director relocated to the USA, we successfully restructured our leadership team. Their dedication and innovation have been instrumental in keeping operations running smoothly.
Despite the ongoing challenges in the country, our schools in Grand-Goâve and St. Étienne remained open throughout the year, providing a safe learning environment for children and peace of mind for their families. Similarly, our medical and dental clinics continued to serve the community, offering consistent care and hope to many.
One of our proudest moments was celebrating the graduation of our high school seniors, kindergarteners, and our first group of vocational students.
Additionally, we expanded our feeding programs by incorporating fresh crops and fish from our aquaponics project. These efforts help sustain the children in our schools and the babies in our daily feeding programs.
Our annual church conference was another highlight. Despite the violence plaguing the country, the turnout exceeded expectations. It was a powerful time of worship, fellowship, and renewal for everyone involved. I was especially blessed to see the hospitality we are accustomed to at MOHI continuing as the church members worked together to cook, clean, and welcome visitors from outside the local community.
Dominican Republic: Building Community
In the Dominican Republic, we witnessed God’s hand at work in countless ways. One of the year’s major achievements was completing the first 12-unit housing construction for fire victims in La Grúa and breaking ground on a second building. Additionally, we celebrated the completion of a water project in the same community, which included drilling a well, building a secure “water house,” and installing a filtration system.
Our partnership with Bless Back Worldwide expanded, resulting in the Bless Back Business Academy launch in Luperón. Over 20 small business owners participated in training sessions, resulting in improvements within their business operations. For little Isaac, this partnership meant he could receive surgery for three hernia repairs.
We also hosted 11 Hope Encounters this year, welcoming 125 participants. Their involvement ranged from construction projects to home visits, where they listened to stories, prayed with families, and delivered care packages. These moments often resulted in life-changing testimonies of God’s love and provision from the pastors who followed up with these families.
Another exciting milestone was the 3-night crusade held in Luperón’s city square in partnership with 15 local churches. Well over a thousand people attended, and we look forward to deepening these church partnerships in the coming year.
Expanding Our Reach: New Initiatives
I'm thrilled to report that the START NOW Early Childhood Intervention program expanded from Haiti into the Dominican Republic, now serving an additional 85 children aged 0-5. This program provides critical support to children who might otherwise be overlooked. And how incredible that God provided sponsors for every one of those new babies!
In the U.S., MOHI partnered with local agencies in North Central Massachusetts to support refugee communities. Through practical education, spiritual guidance, and employment opportunities, many refugees have begun to thrive, with approximately 80% now prioritizing English language learning and obtaining gainful employment.
Finally, we’re grateful for the addition of a new van in the Dominican Republic, which has been invaluable for transporting teams and supplies.
As I reflect on these accomplishments, I'm reminded that it’s not just the projects that are improving but also the lives of those we serve. We see individuals and communities being transformed, both physically and spiritually. The words of 2 Corinthians 3:18 resonate deeply: “And we all, who with unveiled faces contemplate the Lord’s glory, are being transformed into his image with ever-increasing glory, which comes from the Lord, who is the Spirit.” This transformation is evident in the stories of hope, resilience, and faith that continue to emerge from these mission fields.
Looking Ahead: Goals for 2025
As we move into 2025, we are excited about what lies ahead. Our goals include:
Dominican Republic:
Launching the Hope Squad, an afterschool program to mentor and feed school-aged children in impoverished neighborhoods.
Completing the second housing construction building in La Grúa.
Introducing a water project in a second neighborhood.
Expanding church partnerships in Luperón and hosting another crusade.
Haiti:
Expanding the Bless Back Business Academy into Haiti
Replacing the chapel roof.
Building a cafeteria for the school.
Securing sponsors for 200 students who are currently unsponsored.
We also have an exciting major goal for 2025 that will require everyone’s help. We know God will use each of us to accomplish this, and we look forward to sharing more details next week.
Click here to donate to these projects.
Thank you for walking this journey with us. Your prayers, support, and encouragement make everything we do possible. Together, let’s continue to bring hope and transformation to those in need.
