August 2020 Prayer Letter
“[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
