Progress

All this has happened for the progress of the gospel . . . and in this I rejoice. (Philippians 1:12-18) God is using the uncertainty of COVID-19 for the progress of the gospel in Haiti. Pastors there tell me that people are more open to hearing about Jesus and more are going to church. In Pastor Esaii’s neighborhood, a voodoo witch doctor turned to Jesus and brought his voodoo literature to the house church to be burned. Wow! The love and hope of believers in Ouanaminthe are attracting others around them to the Lord.

Your prayers and gifts of food and medicine are making that possible! The pastors and churches in Ouanaminthe are encouraged by our care for them. “You think about us at this time,” one pastor said to me. “You are saving many lives. We are so thankful to God!” Help us provide food and meds HERE.

Protests

The Haitian economy is still largely shut down and likely will be for at least another month. The government announced plans to re-open schools on August 10, but teachers across the country plan to protest. The government promised financial help for teachers when it closed schools in March, but as too often happens the teachers have received nothing. Many pastors teach in the schools.

Of greater concern, President Moises stated that all Haitian pastors are required to officiate same-sex marriages upon request – or face heavy fines and possible jail time. Last Sunday, thousands of pastors and Christians across Haiti marched peacefully in protest. Please pray for President Moises to change this executive order.

Provision

How is PPI responding to these developments in Haiti? Steady on in prayer and provision! We wired money this week for more food packages and will ship two large boxes of medicines to Ouanaminthe next week. This is what God wants us to do right now. We are also making plans for our next pastors training in Haiti in February. Church leaders are especially eager for us to come. Our tangible expressions of love and support are giving us more of a hearing – as it should be! Give to help Haitian Christians HERE.

Thank you again for your prayers and support for Partnership of Pastors International. Thank you to all of you who helped us package medicines last Thursday. You are the hands and feet of our Savior!

Ready to roll up your sleeves to help Haitian Christians? You can at our PPI VOLUNTEER next Thursday, July 23, at 6:00-9:00pm at Pastor Ken and Rena’s house (465 Mayflower Drive, Saginaw).

Serve Safely

We will mask up, spread out and put together about 1200 packages of over-the-counter medicines for Haitian believers. We plan to ship these meds to Haiti in early August. Medicines that we use every day are scarce and expensive in Haiti.  

If you were part of our PPI Volunteer Workday in January, you know that we will organize well and have a lot of fun! Time permitting, we also may prep church info packets and mailing envelopes. RSVP HERE to let us know you’re coming.

Items Still Needed

Whether or not you can join us next Thursday, would you consider donating one or more of these items:

• Antacid tablets (like TUMS)
• Anti-diarrheal tablets (this is especially needed)
• Ziplock snack bags (we need 700 more bags)
• 1 gallon ziplock freezer bags (we need approx 50 more)

Remember, nothing gummy or soft gel. These things melt. Thank you for helping families in Haiti! DONATE for items and shipping HERE

A number of you have asked us, “How’s it going?” and “What are you doing now?” Thanks for asking and thanks for praying! Here’s an update.

Interim Pastorate Ending

Most of you know that I currently serve as the interim pastor of First Baptist Church in Bad Axe, Michigan. Read THIS POST for more on that! FBC is close to calling its next permanent pastor, which means our time there is winding down. We have mixed emotions! We have grown to love this wonderful congregation, yet we are excited about the church’s and our next steps in ministry.

Full-Time Partner Development

We will hand the ministry baton to FBC’s new pastor some time between mid-August and mid-September. After saying our good-byes to friends in Bad Axe, we will devote the NEXT FOUR MONTHS (SEPT-DEC) to inviting churches to support PPI. We are working hard right now to prepare for this “big swing” at developing a support base for the ministry of Partnership of Pastors International.

How Will That Happen?

We created a “church information packet” and are assembling a list of church contacts. Beginning in early August, we will mail PPI info packets to potential supporting churches and invite them to meet with us. We are focusing mainly on church contacts in Michigan and the Midwest, Mid-South (Tenn, Georgia, South Carolina, North Carolina) and the East Coast. These are areas that we have interested friends and contacts. Then we will hit the road to meet with as many mission teams, pastors, and churches as possible!

How Can You Help?

One of our faithful PPI friends sent a simple text to me this morning: Anything we can do to help? YES – and thank you!

• ASK GOD WITH US! I shared four Scriptures from John 14-16 with our Board of Directors at our meeting on Saturday. The Lord Jesus urges us to ASK in His name so that the Father may be glorified (John 14:12-14), so that we bear much fruit (John 15:7-8, 16), and so that our joy may be full (John 16:23-24).  Our Board is asking God for open doors and kindred hearts in training and resourcing church leaders in developing countries. Will you ask God with us?

• HELP US ON JULY 23! We will host our next PPI Volunteer Workday on Thursday, July 23 from 6:00-9:00pm. We will assemble 300 church info packets. We will also put together 500+ packages of over-the-counter medicines to ship to Haitian believers in early August. Come and help us that day!

• OPEN A DOOR, GIVE US A TIP! Do you know a church that may be interested in learning more about PPI? Let us know! Do you know someone selling a gently used camper at a good price? Send us the info! We will need a “home on wheels” as we meet with churches this fall. Contact us HERE.

• COMMIT TO MONTHLY PARTNERSHIP WITH US! Has the Lord touched your heart about the needs of believers in Haiti and other developing countries? Do you believe in what we’re doing to encourage, train and resource church leaders there? Take the next step to join our growing family of monthly partners! Get more info about that HERE.