Summer 2024: An Update From Evens & Karina Paul
Dear Friends & Family Members,
We are a little over halfway through the year 2024. Life has been a challenge this year for the Paul family. But with great challenges come better and far more amazing blessings. Life this year was not at all as we expected. Returning to the United States was not at all on our agenda this year. But Haiti has gone through some tremendous turmoil that doesn’t make it safe for the family to continue to live there, especially for our children. My wife and I decided to stay in the States in May. We continue to follow the Haitian news about what is happening in Haiti. In these past two months, I have been traveling back and forth to Haiti to continue the ministry.
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My wife will be taking a leave of absence from the mission field as we continue to get situated in the States again. We want to thank Northwest Covenant Church for opening their parsonage home to us. We have a place to stay for the year. We also want to thank their members for preparing the home for us with furniture. We were truly blessed by their generosity towards our family. My family and I will be in Mount Prospect, Illinois for the time being. We don’t know how long we will be in the States; Haiti continues to not progress positively. While I write this newsletter, the gangs in Haiti have declared war on the Kenyan Army, because they have come to help maintain order in the country.
Haiti Political Situation
In January, our Haitian brothers and sisters were fighting for justice. The Prime Minister of the country was not doing anything to support his people. Many gangs rallied together in the capital to overthrow the government. They wanted to decide their own fate for their country. The Haitian people were tired of the selfish decisions the Prime Minister made with his political party. Inflation was horrible, many hungry, and jobless. The Haitian money was deteriorating, and with no jobs and very little food people were literally dying of hunger.
We can go into all the political unrest that unfolded, but our newsletter will be pages and pages long. It is a sad situation, but the Haitian people continue to fight for their country and are truly a resilient people. Please continue to keep them in your prayers. This is definitely a hard spiritual battle, and sometimes my wife, and I question the Lord about how much more will He allow such injustice.
Our Work In Haiti Continues
As I said before, I will be traveling a couple of more times to Haiti to continue the work that we have. Regardless of the current state of the country, in the north, there continues to be peace. However, the lack of resources and money has made it extremely hard for many people. At times, there is no gas. With no gas, there is no clean water, no ladies at the market to sell food, and no cars to bring merchandise to the hands of the merchants.
School Ends on a High Note
However, there is so much to be thankful for. This year for the very first time we were able to graduate 35 kindergartners! We also ended the school year on June 30. It was not easy, but we believe the children were able to come to school and learn. We held a beautiful ceremony, uplifted the family families and provided diplomas for these children. We continue our sustainable farming initiatives. People who have gardens are now harvesting beans, Cashew, etc.
Much Needed Delivery of Relief Supplies
Also, this summer 2024, we were able to ship a 40 feet container to Haiti full of food, clothes, and shoes including a tractor for our ministry that was planned and donated by our amazing friends at Grace Covenant in Little Falls and included some amazing other friends at First Cov in Mason City, Trimont, Trinity and Moose Lake and Salem Covenant in Duluth.
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.
Evens is Ordained!
After a long process and great studies, I am finally ordained in our denomination to Word and Sacrament as a Covenant Pastor. Praise be to our God. Also, our adopted children Mayra and Loulou finally made their way to the States and were able to be with me throughout Gather this year.
We Couldn't do this Without God - and You
We are truly thankful for the great opportunity that God has allowed us to be able to continue to serve our La Victoire community and its surrounding area. Thank you for praying for us and thank you for supporting us financially. May God bless you richly for joining us in serving the people of La Victoire, Haiti.
