April 2024
“Blessed is he who considers the poor,
The Lord will deliver him in time of trouble . . . and he will be blessed . . ..”
(Psalm 41:1,2b)
Dear Prayer Warrior,
We’re quite sure you have heard the news about the worsening situation in Haiti. As we have already shared, gang violence continues and has escalated throughout Port-au-Prince ever since the assassination of the president in 2021. Recently gangsters attacked the nation’s largest prison (the national penitentiary) and released over 3800 inmates. The prime minister, who is widely criticized by all for his corruption and his part in the present situation, has finally resigned. Presently, Haiti’s crisis is at a tipping point. Intense hunger has increased. The health care disaster and the educational system have worsened. We have just learned that large portions of Port-au-Prince are without electricity because of the gangs. Evacuation of approximately 1000 Americans is underway presently. Haiti needs so, so much prayer! We have no idea what’s going to happen next.
However, we praise God that His work goes on in churches outside of Port-au-Prince and away from the gangs. Many churches are packed out. The Hosanna Baptist Church structure that was built to hold 1500+ regularly overflows, and chairs from classrooms have to be brought in for services. Recently, 11 individuals were baptized and another 13 joined the church by affiliation. Sadly, however, many churches in the Port-au-Prince area are closed because the gangs who rule these areas attack the churches and kidnap believers.
WE PRAISE GOD once again that Jacmel has remained safe and that Hosanna Radio is still going strong. As we shared earlier, the roofing for Camp Bossier’s multipurpose building is finally complete. PTL AGAIN! When we realized that a roofing team from the U.S. was not possible because of Haiti’s political instability and insecurity, a Haitian contractor was hired – and the job is done! The buildings are now ready to host campers for the 2024 summer camp, for which the young people have been begging. But there is one BIG concern. With so much hunger, and the price of food being so high, we’re wondering how we will be able to feed the campers. Our need for sponsors is greater than ever before. Dear co-laborers, please pray as to whether the Lord would have you help with this BIG need. Thank you so much!
We are so grateful for your faithfulness to this ministry. It’s a huge blessing to us! We so deeply appreciate all those who have co-labored with us for many years – and some who have even co-labored since our parent’s days. Your prayers and gifts have helped to sustain many areas of this ministry, and eternal blessings will be yours. Thank you from the bottom of our heart!
With many thanks to God for you,
Tom and Sarah Bennett
Our help is in the name of the Lord, Who made heaven and earth.”
(Psalm 124:8)
Baptism at Hosanna Baptist Church
Sunday February 25, 2024, Pastor Dieupie and the Hosanna Baptist Church testified the baptism of eleven (11) people. It was a moment of celebration and praise to the Lord for these people who have declared to our fellowship that they are God’s servants publicly. Thirteen (13) people joined the church by affiliation. Sunday March 3, 2024, twenty-four people were received as Hosanna Baptist church new members.
Every Sunday crowds of people come to church to encourage one another. However, so many churches are closed in Port-au-Prince because gangsters who have been terrorizing the population rule some areas.
School is back
We praise God for the opportunity to have the children back to school after 3 weeks of disruption due to violent popular protests demanding the resignation of the Prime Minister, and his government. Our children in Jacmel and the Southeast are fortunate to go to school because schools in so many areas are closed for a while. Please pray for quick solutions in Haiti as we know without legitimate authorities the country will always keep facing one crisis after another.
Roofing over buildings at Camp Bossier by the sea
After it became impossible to bring a construction team to Haiti in 2023 because of political instability and insecurity, we ultimately decided to hire Haitian contractors to put the new roofing on the multipurpose building, and girl’s cabins at the Camp. The buildings are ready to host campers for this summer camp 2024.
This is a huge blessing for young people who will enjoy camp this year as we could not have camp last summer despite all the demands from campers. Our camp team led by Pastor Toussaint, is already at work for the upcoming summer activities.
Gangs invaded more territories
The situation is chaotic in Haiti. The gangs are gaining more territories while the government is doing nothing to fight against them. From January 2023 to February 2024, human rights organizations state that over 3000 people have been killed in Haiti. A group of gangs launched an attack against the police station of Bon Repos and killed four (4) police officers on February 29. On the same day, gangsters attacked schools and universities taking students hostage. Many families had to flee their homes. Just last week the airport had to cancel all incoming and outgoing flights because gunshots were fired and three (3) planes were hit. An airline employee, and a police officer got hurt in this attack. The Haitian government seems not to understand how painful it is for the population who can’t breathe anymore.
The Haitian Prime Minister who is widely criticized had promised to hand over power to elected officials on February 7, 2024. Now he has declared that he intends to hold elections in August 2025. This announcement has unleashed a wave of harsh criticism against him whom they consider to be the population’s number one enemy presently.
In addition, On March 1st, gangsters attacked the nation’s largest prison, the national penitentiary, which held over 3800 inmates. There are only one hundred (100) men left after this attack which means many dangerous criminals are free and will continue terrorizing the population.
Big impact on our ministry and the population
The last day we were able to feed our school children was October 31st, 2023. Our food provider (WFP) is unable to bring food to our site. Food has become so expensive that we can no longer afford to give the school children a warm lunch.
The gangs now have control of almost 80% of Port-au-Prince. They confiscate food and supplies that are shipped into the country, drastically limiting what reaches the public. This tragedy also includes gas and medical supplies, contributing to much sickness and even death.
Our deep thanks and gratitude to our co-laborers
We are so very grateful for your commitment to pray and support our ministry in Haiti. With your support and prayer, we are able to reach many more than what we could reach with our very narrow resources. Please continue your prayers for Haiti as the country is facing very critical moment at this time!
Come and Meet Our Haitian Board of Directors
Saturday, June 5, 2:30 PM Morningside Baptist Church, 1115 Pelham Road, Greenville, SC
On June 5, Mission for Haiti will be hosting a “get acquainted luncheon” with our five Haitian Board Members: Pastor Dieupie Cherubin, Josuѐ Laguerre, Pastor Jean Toussaint, Pastor Salomon Cadet, and Pastor Rejouis Jean-Maxis. You will be blessed to hear these men’s testimonies and get acquainted with them. Each one presents a different viewpoint of his branch of ministry. We sincerely praise God for His divine appointment of these men.
We welcome as many of you as can attend. However, we will need a head count in order to know how much food to prepare.
Please call or text us at (864) 631-2233 by Monday, May 31, with the number of individuals who plan to attend.
Blessings From Our Recent Trip
Our first blessing came as a result of hearing the testimony of Jean Marc Com-pere, a recently converted witch-doctor from the Mont Fleuri community. In all our years of hearing such testimonies, we have never encountered one who has cut his ties with the voodoo world as drastically as this man. He destroyed not only all his fetishes but also the money he had earned, and everything else asso-ciated with his craft. He testified to the peace he now feels and the light he now ex-periences from not living in the darkness of satanic lies and obscenity. In the one month following his conversion, his testimony has already resulted in his next-door neighbor coming to Christ on the Sunday we were there. Jean Marc’s conversion will have a rippling effect in the community as former “clients” and other witch-doctors witness the changes in his life. During our visit with him, he made this statement: “During my many years in this lifestyle, I was frequently aware of God’s spirit calling to me.” Our visit with Jean Marc lasted over an hour, and it was glorious! We left his house with a song of praise to our Savior in our hearts!!
“I will sing to You among the nations, for Your mercy reaches unto the Heavens.”
Psalm 57:10
Our second blessing was to witness the 34 adults who had been baptized in February as they came forward to receive their baptismal certificates along with the right hand of fellowship for membership into the body of believers of Hosanna Baptist Church. Praise the Lord!
Our third blessing came through Mrs. Andrea Pisarcik, one of our Board members, as she hosted her ninth ladies’ retreat at Camp Bossier by the Sea. Her theme was transformation, using the example of the caterpillar and the butterfly. Andrea and her co-speakers, Dr. Yolle Guirda Pierre (Christian Psycholo-gist) and Dr. Daphnee Charleus (Internist), covered topics that were a big blessing to the ladies. Our cabins sleep only 100, and the remaining 75+ ladies bedded down on the cement floor in our all-purpose building, enjoying the fellowship of one another!
Our final blessing began on the Monday prior to Easter, and ended on Easter Sun-day. Hosanna Baptist Church always has a week of revival services leading up to Easter Sunday. The Holy Spirit was doing a work each night and brought 13 souls to the Savior. Then on Easter Sun-day, following the preaching and the Lord’s Supper, Pastor Dieupie felt the Spirit of God pushing him for another altar call. So as the congregation began singing again, person after person walked down the aisle, until seven individuals had come forward to re-ceive Christ as Savior!! Hallelujah!! What a glorious and perfect ending to a week of Easter revival!!
Please Pray With Us
We have not mentioned the social, political, and economic situations in Haiti, but the prob-lems and demonstrations continue to exist!! The most
severe problems are in Port-au-Prince; and we praise the Lord that Jacmel remains basically quiet. We continue to ask believers to pray, because God is the only one who can alleviate the suffering. Our prayer is always that God will use these traumas to bring about a national revival!
“I thank my God upon every remembrance of you, always in every prayer of mine making re-quest for you all with joy.”
Philippians 1:3-4
We are powered by your prayers and enabled by your gifts, Thank you!
Tom, Sarah, and the Haitian Board of Directors
Passing the Baton Requires Intercessors, Co-Laborers, Supply Line
When the baton was passed 24 years ago from our parents to us, our first plea to the Lord was that the intercessors, the co-laborers, and the supply line would continue for the sake of the Lord and the ministry. That prayer was answered in so many wonderful ways. The Lord especially motivated our prayer warriors! Still others felt the call to participate in construction teams, medical clinics, educational seminars, and our camp ministry. Others were moved to continue their help financially. These teams and individuals were the seal of God’s calling us to follow in our parents’ footsteps and serve Him in Haiti – for which we give glory and praise to the Lord!!
All of the above are keen reminders of God’s faithfulness in the past, and we covet your prayers that this support will continue.
May the Lord’s blessings be upon each of you as you remain faithful to this pioneer work that began in 1947.
Introducing Dr. Dave Smith: Director of Open Door Baptist Mission
Dr. Smith had the privilege of growing up in Papua New Guinea as an MK (missionary kid) from the age of three. He trusted Christ as Savior when he was five and became very active in his teenage years teaching Bible to the village children. In his adult life, he and his wife returned to Papua New Guinea to serve as missionaries in the remote tribal area of Simbai. In 2010, God led their family to return to the United States. Two years later, Dr. Smith become the Director of ODBM.
Open Door Baptist Mission
1115 Pelham Road
Greenville, SC 29615-3641
Please Note Some Important Facts
- In order for this process to go smoothly, we need a little help from each of you. We request that you share your email address with us ([email protected]) before the end of the year. Under our new system, you will hear from one of our team members thanking you for your gift and giving you an update from the ministry. If you don’t have email, please drop us a line and future contact will be made by mail.
- Your check needs to be written to ODBM. Since the mission handles the finances of about 50 missionaries, you must specify your gift is for Mission for Haiti. The designations you have made in the past are all transferred from our old system to the new system and your gift will continue to be applied as before.
- Also, those of you who give through PayPal may continue to do so. You can go to our website and specify that your gift is for MFH. The site is updated for ODBM.
- We have posted our Passing the Baton video on our website for your viewing on missionforhaiti.org
Passing the Baton
Getting Acquainted with our God-Appointed Team
Dieupie Chérubin
Pastor of Hosanna Baptist Church and Founder of the Theological Seminary of Haiti
“Lifting up a standard” (Isaiah 59:19b)
Pastor Dieupie accepted Christ as Savior at age 10, rededicated himself at age 16, and was mentored by Baptist Mid-Missions missionaries. His theological training began in Haiti and later continued at Bob Jones University, Greenville, South Carolina, under a “Timothy” scholarship. He completed both his undergraduate and graduate degrees in four years and returned to Haiti in 2001. Upon returning, he assumed the responsibilities as pastor of Hosanna Baptist Church and administrator of Hosanna Elementary School. In 2006, he invited Mission for Haiti to partner with him in Hosanna Ministries. God gave blessing and growth to include a Christian high school, a four-year Theological Bible Seminary (SBTH), a radio station, and a camp on a five-acre ocean site. Pastor Dieupie’s strong leadership has guided the ministry through multiple disasters: the 2010 earthquake, the cholera outbreak, Hurricane Matthew, and numerous political tragedies.
Then God expanded Pastor Dieupie’s ministry in an amazing direction to include his becoming a senator of the Southeast of Haiti. In the providence of God, this position proved to be a tremendous testimony of integrity and an opportunity of living the Gospel message before those who otherwise would never see the power of God displayed in the political arena. He served four years in the Haitian Parliament and has now returned to his full-time involvement in all the ministries of Hosanna. God has used and continues to use Pastor Dieupie in a powerful way to “lift up a standard” against the enemy. (Isaiah 59:19b)
Josué Laguerre
CFO and Administrator – A watchman for Hosanna
“I have made you a watchman” (Ezekiel 3:17a)
Josue crossed our path following his graduation from the University of Notre Dame d’Haiti. Upon his graduation, the university hired him as their financial/administrative manager and to teach an accounting class on the side. Then came the 2010 earthquake and the university was shut down for a season. During this time, many NGOs moved into Haiti, and Josue was hired as senior accountant for Save the Children. As soon as the university started up again, they asked Josue to return and they sent him to France for six months to study administrative management. Following his return and still employed by the university, he was asked by Save the Children to return to them. Thus he worked two full-time jobs for over two years! His amazing ability to multitask caught our attention, and particularly so as he even found time to advise Hosanna on our finances! Consequently, God moved in our hearts to hire him as CFO/administrator for MFH/Hosanna, since Pastor Dieupie had entered the Parliament. All glory to God, Josue has kept the ministry running in the most efficient way! He is a marvel to the ministry.
Two years ago, Josue became very seriously ill, lying close to death in the hospital. Realizing that we were about to lose him, we medevacked him to Cuba. After five weeks of different antibiotics every five days, blood transfusions, and daily shots to increase his white blood count, God restored Josue’s health miraculously!! God gave him back to us and fulfilled His word to make Josue God’s watchman for Hosanna!!
What else is going on in Haiti?
Covid-19 is basically flat now, Praise God! However, corruption, inflation, and hunger continue. We covet your prayers for the needs in our beloved Haiti. School scholarships are needed for poor families.
“’For the oppression of the poor, for the sighing of the needy, now I will arise,’ says the Lord.” Psalm 5:12b
Salomon Cadet
Pastor – Director of Camp Bossier – Seminary Professor
>God used Psalm 78:7 in Pastor Salomon’s heart to confirm his passion to work with young people and rescue them from Satan’s grip of voodoo and witchcraft. Although Salomon grew up in a Catholic family that practiced witchcraft and participated in voodoo ceremonies led by his grandparents, he and his siblings were not forbidden to visit Gospel-preaching services in the village. God used this to allow him to hear the Gospel message numerous times. One by one, he and his five siblings and his mother accepted Christ as Savior.
As Salomon grew in the Lord, he was sent to Theological Seminary of Port-au-Prince for his BS degree, and he later earned an MA degree in counseling from Indiana Wesleyan University through their satellite program. Following his BS degree, we recognized God’s direction to use him in the camping ministry. Dr. Ken Hay of The Wilds Camp and Conference Center, Brevard, North Carolina, arranged for Salomon to come to the States for training at The Wilds and prepared him for the camping ministry as part of their newly formed CampsAbroad division for camps around the world. God’s marvelous hand has been on the camp and on Pastor Salomon. Over the past ten years, more than 4500 young people have attended camp, over 1650 spiritual decisions have been made for Christ, and hundreds of conferences have been conducted there. God continues to use Pastor Salomon’s love for young people to draw them and teach them to “set their hope in God, and not forget the works of God, but keep his commandments.” (Psalm 78:7)
Jean Toussaint
Pastor, Seminary Vice-Academic Dean
Pastor Jean came to us in the providence of God! Having been raised in Catholicism/voodooism, he found Christ as Savior at age 13. Through God’s grace, he began attending a Baptist church, where he was baptized and his spiritual growth increased dramatically. He preached his first sermon at age 17. When he graduated from high school, the leadership in his church made a way for him to begin pastoral training at the Theological Seminary of Port-au-Prince, where he gained a full scholarship. Then the earthquake happened in his junior year (2010) and the school was forced to close. One month later, he and a few other students chosen by the dean of students received a full scholarship from Mr. Leo Wells of Wells Fargo Bank to continue their studies at Carver College, Atlanta, Georgia.
When Jean graduated, a friend invited him to North Carolina, where he found a job earning $14 an hour. Although delighted with the income, Jean stated, “It made me too comfortable and I forgot my first objective of being in the U.S., which was to study and go back to serve the Lord in Haiti. So the Lord sent hardships to remind me of my divine appointment.” God then led him to Winston-Salem, North Carolina, in 2015, where he enrolled in Piedmont International University to pursue a master’s degree in biblical studies. Upon his graduation in 2018, he returned to Haiti and began teaching at our Theological Bible Seminary of Haiti (SBTH).
Shortly thereafter, Pastor Dieupie resigned from the Parliament and realized Jean was just the man to lead SBTH’s much-needed revitalization. Thus began the “Toussaint Transformation,” which involved a new student manual, a professor’s syllabus, a curriculum for women, an academic calendar, an alumni association, the beginning of a work/study initiative, a bookstore, and a new library. We praise praise God for providentially bringing Pastor Jean to Hosanna – “for such a time as this”!! (Esther 4:14b)
Rejouis Jean-Maxis
Pastor of Hananeel Evangelistic Baptist Church and School Administrator
Rejouis Jean-Maxis became God’s choice to shine the light of the Gospel in Mont-Fleuri! Two months after the earthquake, community leaders from Mont-Fleuri visited Pastor Dieupie to plead, “We have two Satanic temples, but we have no Gospel church and no school.” Canvassing was done and the need was recognized.
Prior to this, Rejouis had completed a degree in economics at a state university in Port-au-Prince and had accepted a position with the Spanish Red Cross as an administrative accountant. Then came the 2010 earthquake! His job involved staying in a hotel during weeknights, and the earthquake caught him on the third floor of this hotel. As the building was collapsing all around him and people were plunging to their deaths, he closed his eyes and kept repeating, “Jesus, save me!!” And Jesus DID! Rejouis escaped completely unharmed! He immediately recognized that God had saved him for a purpose, and he knew in his heart that purpose was to preach the Gospel.
Following the earthquake, Rejouis returned to Jacmel and enrolled in our Theological Bible Seminary of Haiti (SBTH). While attending SBTH, he was asked by Pastor Dieupie to be the pastor of the Mont-Fleuri church because of his zeal for pastoring. His compassionate heart has motivated him to reach into this spiritually dark community to meet physical as well as spiritual needs. He has several strong visitation groups, a “special helps” group of women for women, and an AWANA children’s Bible club. In addition, there are two nurses who make house calls to take blood pressure and answer medical questions. The church’s sewing school made over 3000 face masks to distribute to every person in the community. Pastor Rejouis publishes a quarterly village bulletin and has a quarterly community meeting with the locals. He directs soccer camps and vacation Bible schools. Hananeel Baptist Church has an average attendance between 130-160, and its school has 120 students. We praise God for saving and appointing Pastor Rejouis to be the “Gospel light that shines in the darkness of Mont-Fleuri!” (John 1:5a)
We are powered by your prayers and enabled by your gifts. God’s blessings and our thanks to you!
Tom, Sarah, and the Team
Flat Coronavirus – Praise God!
We were encouraged during our recent trip to Haiti to see COVID-19 basically flat – PRAISE GOD! Remaining are the miseries of corruption, riots, inflation, and hunger. Believers are interceding concerning these issues! Very recently Hosanna Baptist Church members came together for 15 days of prayer and fasting. The church opened its doors for personal prayer every day from 6 until 2 and then held a combined service of prayer, song, and preaching in the evening. Our hearts rejoiced to see a steady stream of believers coming and going all day long, concluding with a packed evening service. PTL!
Another Week of Camp – Please Pray
The school schedule will be allowing a brief semester break from mid-October to mid-November. That will give Pastor Salomon an opportunity for a week of camp. He will split the week in half to allow two groups of campers to attend. We covet your prayers for every facet of the camp – speakers, topics, “God and I” booklets, and teaching that will reestablish godly principles and convictions in campers’ hearts.
Highlighting this month . . . Jean Toussaint
Pastor, Seminary Vice-Academic Dean
“for such a time as this” (Esther 4:14b)
Pastor Jean came to us in the providence of God! Having been raised in Catholicism/voodooism, he found Christ as Savior at age 13. His parents separated shortly thereafter, which devastated him. However, through God’s grace, he began attending a Baptist church, where he was baptized and his spiritual growth increased dramatically. He preached his first sermon at age 17. Doors began to open for him; and when he graduated from high school, the leadership in his church made a way for him to begin pastoral training at the Theological Seminary of Port-au-Prince. His superior grades gained him a full scholarship. Then the earthquake happened in his junior year (2010) and the school was forced to close. One month later, he and a few other students chosen by the dean of students received a full scholarship from Mr. Leo Wells of Wells Fargo Bank to continue their studies at Carver College, Atlanta, Georgia. Since commercial travel was suspended, the donor sent his private jet to pick up these young men to begin their studies at Carver in the fall of 2010.
When Jean graduated, a friend invited him to North Carolina, where he found a job with Foxconn, earning $14 an hour. Although delighted with the income, Jean stated, “It made me too comfortable and I forgot my first objective of being in the U.S., which was to study and go back to serve the Lord in Haiti. So the Lord sent hardships to remind me of my divine appointment.” God then led him to Winston-Salem, North Carolina, in 2015, where he enrolled in Piedmont International University to pursue a master’s degree in biblical studies. While there, he married his Haitian sweetheart and they welcomed their first child. Upon his graduation in 2018, they returned to Haiti and Jean began teaching at our seminary (SBTH).
Then God opened our eyes to Pastor Jean’s amazing gifts as administrator in addition to his teaching abilities. Because of Pastor Dieupie’s involvement in the Haitian Parliament for four years, the seminary had declined. Then the “Toussaint Transformation” began: a new student manual, a manual and syllabus for the professors, a new curriculum for women, the establishment of a yearly operating academic calendar, the inauguration of an alumni association, the introduction of a seminary anthem, the beginning of an SBTH work/study initiative, the opening of a bookstore, and a complete library reform. In addition, Pastor Jean has established a student day of evangelism, an annual student conference day, a pastors’ conference, and a semiannual white glove cleaning. Surely, we praise God for providentially bringing Pastor Jean Toussaint to Hosanna – “for such a time as this”!!
Our thanks and praise to God!!
Tom and Sarah Bennett
Pray for our Beloved Walt Rumminger
Over a year ago, Walt became very ill with transverse myelitis (an inflammation of both sides of one section of the spinal cord), which left his right side paralyzed from his shoulder to his foot. This happened on the heels of his retirement and after his having given MFH 17 years of his excellent building expertise in the construction of all our major buildings. This condition blindsided him; however, we were amazed to hear him say, “I’m not even asking God why this has happened to me, because He knew about it before I was born.” Presently, Walt continues to weaken. His wife suffers from bone cancer, but cares for Walt so tenderly and lovingly. Our hearts are compassionate toward them, and we covet your prayers for God’s grace as they endure this trial of their faith!
Highlighting this month:
Salomon Cadet
Pastor – Director of Camp Bossier – Seminary Professor
“That they might set their hope in God, and not forget the works of God, but keep His commandments.” (Psalm 78:7)
God used the above verse in Pastor Salomon’s heart to confirm his passion to work with young people and rescue them from Satan’s grip through voodoo and witchcraft. Although Salomon grew up in a Catholic family that practiced witchcraft and participated in voodoo ceremonies led by his grandparents, he and his siblings were NOT forbidden to visit Gospel-preaching services in the village. He praises God for this, because it allowed him to hear the Gospel message multiple times. One by one, he and his five siblings and his mother accepted Christ as Savior. (His father continues to reject Christ, because he cannot give up cockfighting.)
As Salomon grew in the Lord and became a fervent disciple of Christ, MFH sent him to the Theological Evangelical Seminary of Port-au-Prince for his BS degree, and later he earned an MA degree in counseling from Indiana Wesleyan University through their satellite program. Following his BS degree, we recognized God’s direction to use him in the camping ministry. Dr. Ken Hay of The Wilds Camp and Conference Center, Brevard, North Carolina, arranged for Salomon to come to the States for training at The Wilds and prepared him for the MFH camping ministry! Pastor Salomon is one of the five Hosanna leaders who will make up the MFH Board in Haiti.
God orchestrated many events to give us Camp Bossier by the Sea. This five-acre ocean site had been purchased by missionaries almost 40 years earlier but remained mostly undeveloped. When we went with Walt Rumminger to view this property, we saw its possibilities as a camp and conference center and received permission to build on it. Through Dr. Hay and the newly formed CampsAbroad division for camps around the world, plans to build Camp Bossier began. We organized a huge fundraiser, motivated multiple work teams from many churches, and erected nine buildings in two months under Walt’s leadership. Finally, we were ready for Dr. Hay and his staff to come to Haiti, train counselors, design a Christ-honoring program for young people, and prepare Pastor Salomon as the camp’s director. God’s marvelous hand has been on the camp and on Pastor Salomon. Over the past ten years, over 4000 young people have attended camp, over 1600 spiritual decisions have been made for Christ, and hundreds of conferences have been conducted there. God has used Salomon’s love for young people to draw them to Christ and give them a thirst for God and a desire for victory in their spiritual lives.
What’s going on in Haiti?
COVID-19 is almost nonexistent now, for which we PRAISE GOD! However, corruption continues, inflation continues, and hunger continues. We praise and thank God for you, our faithful and God-given donors and prayer warriors!
Tom and Sarah Bennett
COVID-19 • Hurricane Laura • Government
Praise God COVID-19 cases are down — but Hurricane Laura came rushing through — and demonstrations against the president seem to be starting up again. We are asking for much prayer, because we would hate to see schools close down again! Please pray against school closings!!
Hurricane Laura devastated Haiti – but thank God it was a brief flood! Since mountains have been deforested, the rain gushes down the mountains and into the villages. Many gardens and animals were washed away. Tin roofs came off some houses, and small grass huts were demolished. However, praise and thanks to God for His protection over Camp Bossier!! God placed His hand in such a way that the floods and strong winds were blocked from our camp!! It’s hard to believe, but it’s true, and our hearts are rejoicing over and over again!!
Camp Bossier Successes and Heartaches
The week of camp was enjoyed by 326 young people and God blessed with 44 professions of faith. Pastor Salomon and Pastor Frere prepared “God and I” booklets that dealt with desiring godliness. There were three national speakers each day: Pastor Nesly Alexis, who dealt with sexual immorality; medical doctors Jean Marie Brissault and Claude Ernest Occelas, who dealt with abortion; and attorney Emmanuel Michel, who dealt with understanding the impact of ungodly government decrees if they are approved.
The thing that broke our heart was when we realized how many of these young people had fallen into many sins of the flesh in a relatively short time. Not having school because of political unrest and COVID (only 4 months of school over a period of 10 school months) opened so many doors for the enemy of our soul to seduce the young people into all kinds of immorality. Seeing this evil is moving us to make plans during every school break to gather these young people again and build on what we did last month. The next opportunity will be the first two weeks of October. We would like to raise funds ($3000) to solidify godly principles with convictions into their hearts. We so earnestly covet your prayers and will appreciate financial help to make this happen. Our deep thanks to each of you!
Josue Laguerre
Another watchman for Hosanna
“. . . I have made you a watchman . . . .” (Ezekiel 3:17a)
This month we introduce to you Josue Laguerre. God sent Josue to the ministry at a most strategic time! Pastor Dieupie was preparing to go into the Haitian Parliament and I (Sarah) was fit to be tied!! “Who was I going to work with as financial overseer of Hosanna Ministries?” I cried out to the Lord – and He heard me! It’s a long story, but I will summarize.
Josue crossed our path following his graduation from the University of Notre Dame d’Haiti, as he was attending Hosanna Baptist Church. Upon his graduation, the University hired him as their financial/administrative manager, and to teach an accounting class on the side. Then the 2010 earthquake took place and schools were shut down for a season. During this time, many NGOs moved into Haiti, and Josue was hired as senior accountant for Save the Children. As soon as the University started up again, they asked Josue to return and sent him to France to study administrative management for six months. Following his return from France and still being employed by the University, he was asked by Save the Children to return to them. Consequently, he worked two full-time jobs for over two years! It was truly amazing, especially because he found time to advise Hosanna on their finances – all of which caught our attention!
Tom and I felt the Spirit of God drawing us to Josue as CFO/administrator for MFH/Hosanna. God worked miraculously, and the pieces fell into place. Josue has kept the ministry running in the most efficient way! He is a miracle to the ministry. Two years ago he became extremely ill, lying almost lifeless in the hospital. Realizing that we were going to lose him, we medevacked him to Cuba. After five weeks of different antibiotics every five days, blood transfusions, and daily shots to increase his white blood count, Josue was given back to us by God as a watchman for Hosanna!! Hallelujah!!
With gratitude and thanks to God for you,
Tom and Sarah Bennett
“[R]edeeming the time, because the days are evil.”
(Ephesians 5:16)
Corruption begets corruption! President Jovenel Moise very recently decreed the legalization of child prostitution (beginning at age 15), homosexuality, incest, bestiality, etc. Churches across Haiti are up in arms!! As for MFH, we had cancelled our summer camp program because of COVID-19. We didn’t see how we could practice social distancing in the cabins, etc. However, because of the president’s decree, we are forced to recalculate a strategy that will allow us to connect safely to as many young people as possible in this short time before school begins on August 10. Pastor Salomon has decided to conduct day camps August 3 – 7 and target five sister church areas reaching 250-300 young people age 15-25. Pastor Salomon’s “God and I” booklets will focus on key issues to help campers reestablish their godly principles and convictions. We are asking the Lord to help us take advantage of other opportunities during their future holiday times. Please pray with us that these efforts will be used by God to save our young people.
COVID-19 Numbers Tapering Off
We are grateful to all of you who have prayed faithfully concerning this virus. Haitian medical authorities were expecting thousands of deaths throughout Haiti and thus planned for mass graves. God has been so merciful!! Here are the most recent stats: Cases 7,315; Recovered 4,365; Deaths 157. Haitians are known for their home remedies. As a child, I remember my mother sending our Haitian ladies to get the tea leaves that would cure whatever it was that ailed us. Most of the time it worked. ?
Passing the Baton to Haitian Leadership
Last month we introduced our plan for transitioning the ministry. Therefore, we plan to familiarize you with our Haitian leadership, beginning with our beloved Pastor Dieupie Cherubin as leader, and then spotlight individually each team member in our upcoming prayer letters.
Pastor Dieupie is a dedicated and committed servant of God with a zeal for souls and a love for people of all ages. Beginning in his early years, he was groomed for ministry by Baptist Mid-Missions missionaries. He received theological training in Haiti until he was offered a “Timothy” scholarship at Bob Jones University, Greenville, South Carolina. He accepted and completed both his undergraduate and graduate degrees in four years and returned to Hosanna Baptist Church in 2001. Upon returning, he assumed the responsibilities as pastor of Hosanna Baptist Church and administrator of Hosanna Elementary School. In 2006 he invited Mission for Haiti to partner with him in Hosanna Ministries. Following the partnership, God gave tremendous blessing and growth, to include a Christian high school, a four-year seminary, a radio station, and a camp on our existing five-acre ocean site.
Then God expanded Pastor Dieupie’s ministry in extraordinary ways to involvement as a senator of the Southeast of Haiti where he served four years in the Haitian Parliament. Upon completing this term of office, he returned to full-time involvement in all the ministries of Hosanna. We praise the Lord for this perfect timing of passing the baton to the oversight of Open Door Baptist Mission in Greenville, South Carolina, with Dr. Dave Smith, Director. We covet your prayers as we work through this process under the direction of God’s Holy Spirit. Your prayers are vital and we thank you so much!!
With gratitude and thanks to God for you,
Tom and Sarah Bennett
Phenomenal—God’s Faithfulness to Mission for Haiti Over 73 Years
Following 32 years of faithful service on the field, my parents, Oran and Arshaloos, turned the ministry over to national leaders whom they had trained. Eighteen years later and following the ministry’s 50th anniversary, my parents passed the baton to my husband and me. Since we were not young when we assumed this responsibility (1996), the time to pass the baton again is upon us. Therefore, we wish to share with you the next step of faith that God has laid out before us. But first, we are compelled to extol God’s faithfulness to this ministry through all of you, our dedicated co-laborers!! God has used each of you who have been so committed to the ministry’s objectives, sustaining MFH over the years. We have been amazed to see how each generation of supporters is perpetuated into another generation. We see this as a God thing, and we praise Him for it!!
Recently we shared the news of how God took Pastor Dieupie into the Haitian parliament for four years and then returned him back full-time to Hosanna Ministries. He did not seek reelection. We believe that his brief time in the Senate was “as an occasion for testimony” (Luke 21:13). We believe that God’s mandate was accomplished, and NOW the time has come for Pastor Dieupie to move forward with Mission for Haiti. Over the next nine months, MFH Board of Directors, along with Tom and me, will begin a process of transferring the oversight to Open Door Baptist Mission (ODBM), Greenville, South Carolina. This process will be accomplished with the most careful responsibility and integrity. All of you, our donors, will be kept well-informed all along the way as to this process. Under the direction of ODBM, the national committee of seasoned leadership will consist of Pastor Dieupie Cherubin, CFO Joshua Laguerre, Pastor Salomon Cadet, Pastor Rejouis Jean-Maxis, and Pastor Jean Toussaint. We covet your prayers as we move forward to perpetuate this ministry to the glory of God!
God’s Mercy
God’s mercy and answers to your prayers have kept the deaths from COVID-19 at bay!! As of this date there have been 5,975 cases, 931 recovered (on account of home remedies), and 105 deaths. The projected July peak was reached in mid-June, and by God’s grace we trust the numbers will continue to go down. We are rejoicing in God’s abundant mercy, because the predictions were unbelievably scary!
However, please pray, because the economic and political crises still exist in a very strong way! The opposition still wants President Jovenel Moise to leave because of his corruption in the PetroCaribe deal. Already, there is talk of demonstrations. Last fall these demonstrations closed schools and blocked roads so food and medicine couldn’t reach villages! Only God provides solutions to all crises situations in poverty-stricken countries!
The Seminary Library
Our Baptist Theological Seminary of Haiti continues to enhance the quality of its pastoral degrees. Pastor Dieupie, Academic Dean, and Pastor Jean Toussaint, Vice-Academic Dean, are updating all academic requirements, including replenishing our Seminary library with French reference materials. Please keep this need in your prayers.
With gratitude and thanks to God for you,
Sarah Bennett (for both Tom and myself)
