It has been a difficult beginning to the year. I have not lost hope that help will come for Haiti, but the truth is that Haiti is in a civil war. The challenge has become how to maintain ministry in the middle of chaos.

Last month, the last of Haiti’s elected officials left the country. It’s estimated there are more than 200 gangs now running the country. Where police stations once stood, gangs have taken over. It’s also estimated that more than fifty percent of Haitians are suffering from malnourishment. A reported 10,000 have been diagnosed with cholera, and this only represents those who have sought medical attention. 

The last few weeks have been difficult for the ministry. We were forced to abandon two containers of food at the port. The containers would have guaranteed the compound two months of supply for our staff, children, and the community’s needs. Pastor Poyis has been resourceful to feed his people, but it has become extremely costly and difficult to obtain food. 

You may have read our urgent prayer request just a couple of weeks ago. Pastor Marcelin and three of his church leaders had been abducted by a gang in Onaville. They’ve since been released and are safely home with their families. This is the reality of life in Haiti for pastors right now. 

As I write to you, the children are celebrating the sixth anniversary of the Regency Home opening its doors to its first children. Pastor Poyis told me they happily made their celebration plans, and they don’t know what goes on outside their walls. They continue to grow and thrive. 

I am so thankful for the faithfulness of Pastor Poyis, Jimmy, CV, and their wives. I am thankful to the Lord for His hedge of protection around the compound and our Children’s Homes. 

There's no fixing Haiti. Suffering is an inescapable part of life on earth, and denying that would be foolish. Jesus Himself said, “the poor you will have with you always.” But despite that reality, we take up the responsibility of acting generously and compassionately toward the needy—just like Christ did with us. 

So I ask that you pray with us that our ministry will pursue radical faithfulness in the opportunities in front of us, and that God will use His church as a beacon of hope to those who need it most.