“Because of the Lord’s great love we are not consumed, for his compassions never fail. They are new every morning; great is your faithfulness.” Lamentations 3:22-23
In April we used this verse to cry out in faith; today as a declaration of answered prayer.
New Hope for Haiti
After reaching a low point of violence in Mid-March (about the time we left) things in Haiti are starting to look up again! The transitional Prime Minister seems to be widely approved and a new transitional government has been working hard to appoint new ministry directors (like Education, Finance, Women, Unions, etc.) Leadership includes more women and younger people. New appointments aim to weed out corruption, in all branches of government. An electoral council has been set up and trade and visa relations between the Dominican Republic and Haiti have greatly improved. Some food prices are dropping, though drought has again led to poor harvests.
The Multinational Security Mission led by Kenya arrived on June 25th and has swelled to 650 Kenyan troops to support the police with more coming from other countries as well. Their actions included securing roads to both the airport and sea port where international trade is blossoming again. Direct engagement with gangs has been slow and measured, though 104 gang members lost their lives in one two-week period. Please pray that those who want to defect (probably many) can find a safe way to do that without carrying their criminal activities to other parts of the country. The Kenyan leadership comes with some interesting outward Christian witness – pray that this can be sincere and wide reaching for them as well as for the Haitians they meet.
Transitions in Haitian Leadership at HAFF
June saw the death of a beloved colleague on our Executive Team, Derold Mompremier, after suffering two different strokes. He touched many lives spiritually in several communities particularly among the youth at his church and in HAFF’s Young Leaders for God Program.
Derold touched many lives through his infectious smile and laughter and love of music
(It is not too late to help Derold's family or make a gift to HAFF in memory of Derold.
Simply go to HTTPS://haff.org/give, Under Programs and Operations, go to Memorial Fund and type in "Derold Mompremier")
Separate from that change was the appointing of HAFF’s first ever Haitian Director of Operations, another Executive Assistant, Estéphène Orelus. Since the outset of the ministry, HAFF has long desired to find a Haitian willing and able to take on a leadership position equal to that of the American missionaries. Please pray that Estéphène will be able to weather the inevitable unkind criticism from a few Haitians in the community who are jealous and suspicious of their own countrymen in positions of leadership. Pray that he can maintain his wise and easy-going ways of dealing with our staff, who all seem to be happy with his leadership so far.
Estéphène is also a father, pastor, teacher, farmer and business man (building materials)
Also, please pray for more Americans missionaries to join the Wilsons in mentoring leaders at HAFF, helping them join a rapidly changing world, both in terms of technological advances as well as in daily eroding moral values. We need mature, committed, flexible, loving Christians who want to witness the truth and power of Jesus Christ destroy the evils of poverty.
Other schedule changes have made it possible for all of our administrative staff to finally enjoy daily devotions together now, reading Bible verses in both English and French for deeper scriptural understanding. Intimate conversation and prayer follows in “Crenglish” (Creole and English).
Infrastructure Improvements
Feelings of a “new beginning” are also being generated by a few infrastructure projects God has enabled HAFF to undertake on a very minimal budget. In order to make the entrance to HAFF more inviting and aesthetically pleasing, the grounds keeping crew has worked hard and creatively to use the resources we already have at hand to make a small retaining wall from boulders found at HAFF and a front lawn with decorative rock and plant border.
New retaining wall and lawn in front of the HAFF administration building
We hope to report further small changes in various other buildings next month, but everyone is already enjoying the pride and hope that comes from “fixing things up”. Please, please pray that HAFF and Haiti can begin experiencing more and more economic “fixes” so that things are not so exhaustingly tight all the time. If you have a heart for renovating, also please consider a gift for HAFF infrastructure. A newly painted room encourages many hearts… and a new computer room?
Looking Forward to a New School Year at IPB
Some of our 9th graders across the highway from HAFF
waiting for the bus to take them to their national exams
This summer saw 58 9th graders and 21 13th graders off to their national exams! A generous gift has enabled us to buy French Bibles for our 7th grade Bible classes for several years (about 100 kids a year.) Though we try to keep tuition incredibly low we are having to raise our prices in order to accommodate 12 new classes the government has mandated – 4 each for 7th, 8th, 9th in sports, art, music, and the environment. Please pray that starting school in October instead of September, will help Haitian families find enough money or these extra costs.
Thanks so much for helping us bring the hope, joy and love of Jesus to our 350 students!
Colin and Carla Wilson (colcarwil@protonmail.com)
Like us on Facebook: Haitian American Friendship Foundation (HAFF)
Address: Colin Wilson, 3170 Airmans Dr., Unit 1069 – HAFF, Ft. Pierce, FL 34946
Contributions: HAFF 2400 Edgelea Dr., Lafayette, IN 47909
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