God helps those who help themselves. You’ve heard the saying. It’s true as far as it goes. God expects us to take responsibility, initiative and action in what we know to be right. But what if we cannot help ourselves? What if nothing we do changes our situation? Then what? God steps in!

That’s the point of Christmas, isn’t it?

When we were powerless (Romans 5:6), dead in sin and dominated by darkness (Ephesians 2:1-3), without hope and without God in the world (2:12), Jesus stepped in to save us. Our God – Father, Son and Holy Spirit – delighted in loving and rescuing us. No wonder, myriad angels burst out in song the night Jesus was born (Luke 2:13–14; Hebrews 1:6)!

And God’s gracious help continues as we walk with Him and serve Him. The Lord has reminded us of that again and again this year.

What do you have that you did not receive? If then you received it, why do you boast as if you did not receive it? 1 Corinthians 4:7

May I never boast except in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, through which the world has been crucified to me, and I to the world. Galatians 6:14

So neither the one who plants nor the one who waters is anything, but only God, who makes things grow. 1 Corinthians 3:7

How encouraging to know that God delights to work through us to love and help others! How freeing to realize God gives us strength, wisdom and joy as we do! How emboldening to know the Lord Jesus is always with us as we make disciples of all nations (Matthew 28:20)!

A Milestone Year – 2025

In that spirit, we want you to know that 2025 has been a milestone year for PPI! This year, we:

• Offered PPI courses 15 times in Haiti – the most ever.
• Exceeded 1500 pastors taking our courses this year – the highest in 1 year.
• Finished and offered Courses 5 and 6 for the first time.
• Will see many pastors complete ALL six courses this December – for the first time.

We thank the Lord for these milestones! God alone gives us these opportunities to encourage, train and resource church leaders – to build up His church for His glory.

More to Come – 2026

In addition to training pastors in northern and central Haiti, we plan to introduce PPI courses in southern Haiti in 2026. We also will provide materials for equipping church leaders in the Dominican Republic. There’s more to come in 2026!

Port au Prince, Haiti’s capital, forms a geographical bottle-neck between southern Haiti and the rest of the country (see the Haiti map). Gang control of Port au Prince and surrounding areas has virtually shut off travel and shipping to and from south Haiti. You can imagine how this situation has affected people there relationally, economically and spiritually.

Pastors in southern Haiti have pleaded with us for three years to offer training in their cities. Our team has prayed and talked a lot about it, and we’ve decided 2026 is the year to introduce PPI training there. Travel and shipping will be complicated and expensive, but we’re trusting the Lord to open the way. Please pray for us!

We will also provide PPI Course 1 workbooks and other support for pastors training in the Dominican Republic. Pastor Rob Mathis will begin equipping Haitian church leaders in the DR in January 2026. (Check out our previous post for more info.) We’re excited to partner with Rob in strengthening Haitian churches in the DR.

A milestone year and more to come! Thank you all for your partnership with us in encouraging, training and resourcing church leaders in Haiti and other developing nations. What a joy to boast together in the love and power of our Savior Jesus! Merry Christmas to you and your family!

We started Course 1 in Cap-Haitien this morning (last Monday) with a full house. (See pics!) Modie, a member of our ministry team, told us last year that many, many church leaders were asking for PPI Course 1 again in Cap-Haitien. He was right!

The Lord has given our team strength and joy these past two weeks. Hurricane Melissa left behind flooded streets and roads and hot, muggy weather in Haiti. One team member said, “It’s muggy, wrapped in muggy, stuffed with muggy.” Honestly, our U.S. team members are looking forward to cooler, less humid weather – and a Starbucks! – but we can endure some light, momentary afflictions to encourage and train 300 church leaders over these two weeks!

Last week, we also offered Course 1 in Limbé, a smaller city two hours west of Cap-Haitien as well as Course 4. This gave Rob Mathis, a U.S. pastor with us on this trip, two opportunities to participate in Course 1 and absorb how we lead it. Pastor Rob desires to train Haitian pastors in the Dominican Republic, and he will start with PPI Course 1 there in January. Please pray for Rob and his wife, Allison, as they transition from Rob’s 30-year pastorate at their church in southern Illinois to training church leaders in the Dominican Republic. We’re excited for them and for the expansion of PPI courses!

Modie led a beautiful song in Limbé. It’s the Haitian version of “I Shall Know Him.” Nearly 100 church leaders lifted their voices to Heaven:

“Ma va oue li, ma konnin li, le ma kanpe bo kotte jezu-kri. Ma va oue li, ma konnin li pa mak klou yo li gingnin nan min li.” (”I will see Him, I will know Him, when I stand by the side of Jesus Christ. I will see Him, I will know Him by the nail marks He has in His hands.”)

Our lives on this planet pass by so quickly. What will we live for while we’re here? What gets our time, attention and energy? How much of what we focus on is just for us? The Father’s intention for each of His children is clear: “Christ died for all, that those who live might no longer live for themselves, but for Him who for their sake died and rose again” (2 Corinthians 5:15).

One day soon we will see our Savior. We will see Him! We will know Him! In those moments we will realize fully how important it was to live for what really mattered for eternity – wherever we may be.

P.S. Thank you for your contributions to help Pastor Clausel’s family and church in southern Haiti! He is so grateful for your thoughtfulness and gifts.