“Our hope for you is unshaken, for we know that as you share in our sufferings, you will also share in our comfort” (2 Corinthians 1:7).
The world’s perspective says that all hope seems lost for our dear Haiti. Our missionary friend and mentor, Eleanor Turnbull, who served over seventy years in Haiti before meeting her Savior in 2020, shared often how far she had seen Haiti progress in her seventy years on the island. She always encouraged us during the toughest times that we do not know what tomorrow holds, so there is always hope. Eleanor’s hope for Haiti was unshaken because her hope in God was unshaken. We too have seen the believers in Haiti “afflicted in every way, but not crushed; perplexed, but not driven to despair; persecuted, but not forsaken; struck down, but not destroyed…” (2 Corinthians 4:8). This is unshaken hope. Elisabeth, shares this hope for Haiti. She continues to fight for the most vulnerable children and mothers, raising education sponsorships, working with our small business loan program for women, and encouraging our faithful leaders on the ground in Haiti. When I look at the present circumstances of the country of Haiti, I am a bit more pessimistic. Yet, on an individual and spiritual level, I have so much hope that Christ can and does intervene, even when we are perplexed and on the brink of despair. God is still changing lives through the Scriptures for an eternal hope that will not disappoint.
I, Eric, recently traveled to Panama for a Global Pastor’s Conference facilitated by RREACH. Though we did not have our annual Pastor’s conference in Haiti this year, many Haitian pastors were able to come to Panama and I got to spend time with several Haitian pastors while there. Each shared their discouragements in sufferings along with encouraging opportunities that had come out of this for them and their churches to experience God’s comfort. May our Lord continue to comfort so these pastors and churches will be equipped to comfort those who need it most during these dire circumstances. Thank you to all those who continue to pray and support Haiti and our work there. You are a comfort to us and so many you may never meet this side of Heaven.
We continue to work remotely in Haiti and periodically (when the security situation allows) will pop in for a visit to meet with our leaders in the capital. We are so thankful to the Lord for the faithfulness and steadfastness of our Haitian ministry partners amid such suffering. They are also a comfort to us and example to the worldwide church as they carry on the work with unshaken hope (1 Corinthians 15:58).
A few things we pray to remain unshaken with our ministry in Haiti. The first is ongoing support and encouragement to the faithful Haitian leaders. We have committed to continue to support them financially as they serve in the different ministries daily.
We want to continue to impact the families of Haiti with the hope of the gospel. Our brothers and sisters at Bethany Church in Florida asked how they could minister to the Haitian families we work with to provide a holiday meal, give opportunities for fathers and/or mothers to lead their homes in a devotion and bless the school sponsored kids with a gift this Christmas.
This sweet blessing helped us to encourage over one hundred fifty people we personally know and love in Haiti! We are excited to see what God does to finish out this year strongly in our Haitian community to impact families with the gospel and a recognition that every good and perfect gift comes from Him.
We are so thankful that many of you reading this have given generously to impact Haitian families and the future of the country by helping kids and young adults continue their education. It is such a blessing that the area and families you support has continued to function somewhat normally, despite the turmoil and gang control in other areas of Haiti.
Finally, though we are unable to get to our home in Haiti due to the constant roadblocks, God has been gracious to reveal part of the reason He has us in Texas for such a time as this. We continue to have numerous opportunities to support those coming across our southern border legally into Texas whether they be personal Haitian friends, family members of Haitian friends, and other contacts sent our way from individuals and churches. We are humbled and in awe that God has us where we are to help protect and care for the very friends and Haiti neighbors who protected and cared for our family in Haiti. God is allowing us to help in the USA in both small and big ways.
We are reminded that God’s ways are not our ways. We never could have imagined this turn of events and will continue to hope even when we are perplexed by discouraging circumstances.
We appreciate your prayers and partnership in the gospel to continue to rely on God for an unshakeable zeal to faithfully serve those who need it most during these unstable times around the world. We desire to continually offer hope through the only ONE who is the unshakeable HOPE of the world.
How can you help?
We are hoping to host quarterly trips to equip and encourage our Haitian leaders which includes a two-night stay in a safe hotel (at least 4 rooms and meals) – $2,500 per trip for 2024.
Bimonthly trip for me and/or Elisabeth as possible ($1,250-$3,000 = $10,000/year)
Periodic help in the USA for asylum seekers who are yet unable to work legally ($12,000/year).
If you can help us meet these budget needs for 2024 it will help us plan a good year and help us comfort the suffering and those who are serving the suffering. Any and every amount will help.
As Director of Global Development, God has continued to open doors in Asia to train pastors who have the desire to teach but are largely untrained and long for more training. While on these trips, I will also prayerfully connect with at least two unengaged people groups in 2024. If you are interested in praying daily for these two people groups and want to invest financially to send us, please contact me and I can share more fully the opportunities and potential cost.
We are grateful for those of you who make this possible for us to serve by your giving to the Lord and supporting us by your faithful and cheerful giving on a monthly or one time a year donation. We could not do any of these things without your partnership and generosity as we are utterly stretched beyond our ability, strength and bank account. Let’s continue to come together as the Body of Christ to engage the unengaged and make disciples of all people groups to impact the nations.
Amid personal suffering through Eric’s cancer journey this past year and ministry to our sad Haiti, the Lord has been gracious to give us additional opportunities to travel and serve not only in Haiti, but also in Africa (Elisabeth), Israel (Eric and Elisabeth), and Panama (Eric) in 2023! It has been a busy year where we have certainly been shaken, yet our hope stands firm.
With Unshaken Hope for 2024,
Eric & Elisabeth