Greetings to each of you during this season filled with hope and joy as we celebrate the birth of our Lord Jesus with family and friends.

Things don’t appear so hopeful in Haiti right now. “41 US citizens and legal permanent residents have been kidnapped for ransom in Haiti this year”, says Assistant Secretary of State Brian Nichols of Ohio.

The New York Times says that the 400 Mawozo gang is infamous for mass kidnappings. Haitian officials estimate the gang makes $70,000 USD a week from ransoms and extortions. Guns are constantly being smuggled into Haiti from the U.S. who is the major supplier of weapons worldwide.

And then there is the Haitian migration crisis which continues to affect the islands in the Caribbean as well as South and Central America, along with Mexico and the U.S. The Miami Herald writes that since mid-September more than 11,000 Haitians have been repatriated from seven countries back to Haiti, according to the International Organization for Migration. The people in Haiti want out and are willing to flee the country of their birth, the country they love, to find hope, freedom, and peace elsewhere. Sadly, many have died trying to do so.

 I received several texts late last night from Pastor Louinet. Gangs that have been in the capital city of Port au Prince have come into the rural town of Dessalines where our main school is and are causing lots of problems for those in that area. The stress and fear that this puts on people is tremendous. Although our schools have been able to continue operating in the midst of this chaos, Pastor Louinet asks that you please pray with him for wisdom, safety and peace. He tells me that people are simply afraid. He can’t sleep at night and yet Pastor continues his work as a shepherd and leader to the people.

Pastor Louinet will be putting on a conference for his 14 churches January 2-9, 2022.  He asks for much prayer as people will be coming from remote mountain areas and from cities to attend this week long activity. This is an annual time for people to come together, to visit friends they haven’t seen, to worship and hear God’s Word, and to celebrate the hope they have in Jesus.

In celebrating Christmas I ask that you would remember this little island country and lift them up before God. Remember the children who want and need an education and their families who are living through these difficult times.

May your days be filled with hope that will spread far to those in need.  Please remember to give to Hope in Haiti so that our work can continue. We are so grateful for you!