Yes, HE is With Us

December 5, 2022

Greetings from Luperòn, Dominican Republic!

Lex and I are here, hosting some MOHI friends. John Armour, inventor extraordinaire came down to install the filtration system he created. We have been running this system in Haïti for 12 years and it is absolutely amazing. No one in Luperòn drinks city water or well water. Very soon, however, the mission house will have pure water running through the pipes! Thank you Jesus and thank you John!!!

Jen and Keith arrived with me yesterday and already have their brains going a hundred miles an hour. I'm excited about the insights they are sharing with us, as well as the opportunity to share Hispaniola's experiences with them.

This morning we visited our friend, Pastor Miratel's church in downtown Luperòn. It was jammed full of enthusiastic worshipers. It saddened me to see the state of disrepair their rented location is in. Would you pray with us for the Lord's guidance in this situation. We are confident there's a reason He connected us with Pastor Miratel. Pastor Lex was able to share a word of encouragement with the congregation this morning, too..

The Hospital director asked us to consider assisting the village of Cambiaso with healthcare. They are far from a hospital and the cost of transportation is prohibitive for most people in this area. The map below shows the route from the mission house to the village of Cambiaso.

Below are some of the people from the village. There are both Haitians and Dominicans living there. All seem to be very poor. We are eager to do some health assessments in the area with next week's visitors!

Meanwhile, in Haïti, the mission is working like a well-oiled machine. What an amazing staff we have!

Our churches are full of amazing people, too!

Gemimard is happy to be cooking for and serving the students and babies in Thozin.

We have some FUN teachers in our preschool and primary grades. Learning colors in English is LOADS of fun for this class!

Each school day starts out with a prayer and flag-raising ceremony.

In the classroom, the students learn all the verses of the national anthem.

Here's verse One:

For Haiti, the land of the Ancestors

Let's walk hand in hand

There should not be traitors among us

We are born to be the only masters of ourselves

Let's walk hand in hand

For Haiti to become more beautiful

Come on, come on, come together

For Haiti in the name of all the Ancestors.

Next, the children have a time of devotion and memorizing scripture. Here they are learning Psalm 5:4, "For you are not a God who delights in wickedness; evil may not dwell with you"

The children love seeing Marie Ange show up in the classroom. Could it be that they equate her presence with food??? Here she is giving out peanut butter crackers at the start of the day.

Haïti is rich in culture and has many talented musicians and writers. Here, the students are reciting a poem, "The day begins, the year passes but it doesn't mean anything. I was little but now I can count, I can read, I can write, now I believe that I am growing."

At 72 years of age, Escimine is suffering from several chronic medical issues. She is grateful for the medical clinic at MOHI but is unable to physically walk to it. Where there's a will, there's a way. Her loving son carried her to the clinic. Her daughter Exilienne accompanied her into her consultation to make sure she would know how to help care for her mom. I LOVE family!!! And I'm so blessed by the extent of ministry that takes place in the clinics. People's lives are being impacted physically, emotionally, and spiritually. Praise the Lord!

John will be heading back home to Florida tomorrow. His time with us was really just way too short! We had some great dreaming sessions together and we are hoping he'll be back soon, joined by his wife to start another adventure. It never fails, when we spend time with John the gears start turning and we see more possibilities for reaching the people of Hispaniola! Apparently, Keith and Jen are will be running with that same torch for the rest of the week. Are you praying for us? I believe the Lord is bringing together the people and resources to touch people's lives here in Luperòn, as well as in Haïti. Reach out to us to determine if a Luperòn Hope Encounter (mission trip) may be in YOUR future! HopeEncounters@mohintl.org

I find the Lord's presence absolutely fascinating. Think about it. How many times in a day can we recognize His presence in our lives? While reading the Bible, singing a song, talking with a friend, witnessing the wonders of His creation, in an "opposing" viewpoint, an answered prayer... There are so many ways in which He makes us aware that He is with us. For Lex and I, many times it is in the people He brings to us on the beautiful island of Hispaniola. We are that garden hose; the Lord uses us to get the water (blessings) to the plants (people) who need it. While delivering the water, we also get wet. "Whoever brings blessing will be enriched, and one who waters will himself be watered." - Proverbs 11:25 We are abundantly blessed by the people He puts in our lives. Thank you for being in our lives and joining hands with us in ministry!