Spring 2024: Update on Haiti
Dear Friends & Family Members,
As most of you are aware, Haiti has been going through a tumultuous season. One of the many things I want to share with you all is that despite our main capital struggling with gangs activities - where they broke through to the national jail and released more than 300 criminals - we also have most families in the country who live in great despair and hunger. Families have been displaced from their homes due to insecurity issues and their children are unable to attend school as they should. Young people are living in discouragement because of all the difficulties they've experienced in the country.
I personally (Evens) believe it is going to take a long time for our country to return to a normal functionality. CARICOM and CORE group (United States, Mexico, Canada, France, and some other countries) just came up with a concept for Haiti to have 7 presidential councils instead of having 1 president and one prime minister to restore order so that our people can have a better life. In my lifetime I have never witnessed such horrible leadership within our country. 7 families to lead just 1 country where poor families are living in desperate need. We have no roads, no clean water, no electricity and not even a good hospital for our people? Truly I can see a big disaster is coming.
Click HERE to visit our giving page if you'd like to start supporting SAI on a monthly basis
We are so thankful to have so many of you reach out to call our family and send us gifts as you've heard information on what is going on in the country. I (Evens) came to the US in the month of January to complete two classes that I needed to complete for my Covenant Orientation classes and to meet with the board of ordain ministry for my ordination process within the Covenant. When I realized Haiti was going to be on lock down just in three days due to protest in the streets all over the country, I called one of our partners, Mission Flight International and booked a flight for my wife and our daughters to come meet me here. It would be very difficult for my wife to navigate life with all that was happening around the country.
It was one of the best decisions that I ever made when it comes to my family. Exactly two days later, the whole country was locked and there was no flight in either airport or flights were delayed for days before they could begin to flight back in the country. The Serve Globally department has done a tremendous job helping us reestablish in the states and we have been staying still in the mission house close to NorthPark University. We are truly honored and blessed to be serving Christ with you all in Haiti and with the wonderful families in La Victoire, Haiti and the surrounding communities where we serve.
But God...
Despite all this, God is still present and active with our Haitian brothers and sisters. He provides in a way we cannot even comprehend sometimes for His children. Just this past weekend, five different Covenant churches gathered in Little Falls, MN to pack a 40 foot shipping container full of food, medical equipment for our medical clinic, bicycles, clothes and shoes, as well as a big tractor to help us do gardening! These much needed supplies will feed the children while in school.
Though the generosity of many SAI supporters, we were able to send musical instruments - including an organ - for the children in SAI's school and for our Church. We are truly thankful to Grace Covenant Church of Little Falls, MN for initiating such project for our community. We are also thankful to Salem Covenant Church of Salem, Moose Lake Covenant, First Covenant Church of Mason City, IA, Trimont Covenant Church, and friends and family members. All of you together are amazing friends and family members of ours.
Ministry Programs Making Progress
When it comes to our ministry, we continue to serve the people of Haiti with great love, care, and sensitivity because they are going to a lot.
Schools & Church
Both our high school and the primary school continue to receive around 200 students every day in our campus. We just finish the roof of a brand-new cafeteria for the student to have a safe and secure place to eat and connect in recess time and in the summer time the campers will also use this place to eat and to connect with other and also to develop close relationship as well. We are truly thankful for such partnership with our Northwest Covenant church who have helped us make it so far with this dream of ours.
Our church continues to grow each day despite all that is happening to the country. We continue to witness the growth of our church exponentially. We praise God for what He is doing in these communities where we serve.
Medical Clinic
Our medical Clinic continues to serve the community as the largest medical clinic in the area. We provide dental service, maternity service, and also have a lab and a pharmacy in place to serve the community. We have a wonderful staff who work hard and with diligence to provide the best ministerial health care possible to the community.
An Encouraging Word
Our family want to leave you with this biblical passage that has been such an encouragement to us.
Psalm 56:3 "When I am afraid, I put my trust in you."
Without this assurance in Jesus, we'd have no idea what our next move would be. Because of our hope in Christ, we continue to trust God with our family, and we will continue to serve the people of La Victoire, Haiti. This Bible verse has been a big encouragement to me during such difficult time we experience in Haiti.
Final Thoughts & Prayer Requests
Words can never express how grateful we are to each one of you. We can do all we do because of your obedience to God. Thank you for partnering with us in what God is doing in the poorest town of north Haiti. We pray and hope one day you can come to La Victoire Haiti and see with your eyes what your blessings are doing here in Haiti. We appreciate you and pray for you each day. May God bless you abundantly.
