The Apostle Paul shares an amazing insight in Galatians 3:8 (quoting Genesis 12:3):
And the Scripture, foreseeing that God would justify the Gentiles by faith, preached the gospel beforehand to Abraham, saying, “In you shall all the nations be blessed.”
”Nations” certainly refers to nationalities, or ethnic groups. Some translations read, “In you, all families on earth will be blessed.” But this promise also extends to nations as political entities. Through the life-transforming power of Jesus Christ, nations will be blessed from their bureaucracies to their back streets. As Paul says in Colossians 1:20 (my summary), “Jesus died to fix everything !” And God had planned it all along, preaching the gospel to Abraham.
That’s the promise we stand on as we train church leaders in Haiti. The Lord Jesus, through the power of the gospel proclaimed and lived out by His church, can change this broken nation. Humanly speaking, it seems impossible. The history is too distorted, habits of life too ingrained, corruption too deep. But we belong to a Savior who defeated the grave and crushed the head of the Serpent. Nothing is too hard for Him! So we serve with all the energy, diligence and joy He gives.
July/August Training
Thank you for praying for our latest training in northeast Haiti. From July 31-August 8, we offered Courses 1, 2 and 5 in two cities, Course 5 for the first time. It was well received by 105 church leaders! This course is our second of two courses on church leadership, titled (in English) Leading Jesus’ Church (Leaders and Organization). In Part 1 of the course, we study leadership roles and titles in the New Testament church, leader qualifications and the biblical process of appointing church leaders. In Part 2, we focus on organizing all aspects of a local church around the Lord’s mission of making disciples, meetings and mentoring, financial management and church discipline – all through the lens of Scripture and aimed practically at making local churches effective for Christ.
Haitian church leaders searched the Scriptures, discussed the issues even during their breaks and lunch time, and had a LOT of questions. On the last day of the course, they didn’t want to stop! They asked if we could continue the course. Our team praised the Lord that He encouraged, instructed and challenged church leaders through this new course. May He use this course – and all PPI courses – to strengthen His church and bless the nation of Haiti.
Closed Door, Open Window
Speaking of nations, we need to postpone PPI training in the Dominican Republic (DR) because of travel restrictions on Haitian nationals. Our plan was to introduce PPI courses to Haitian church leaders in two cities in the DR in November. Our core Haitian team (Jasmin, Isaiah and Hebert) would travel with me to the DR to assist me in launching PPI training there with excellence.
Unfortunately, the DR government – like the United States – now prohibits Haitian nationals from entering the DR for any reason, unless they have a current visa to the U.S., Canada or EU, which none of our guys now possess. (Isaiah’s U.S. tourist visa expired last year, and we have found it impossible to renew right now.) We worked hard on all the possibilities, but concluded that for now the door to the DR is closed to us.
But God had plans! On my way to and from Haiti in July-August, I talked with several people about options for travel to southern Haiti. They came out of the woodwork. Clearly, the Lord was opening a window! I talked and prayed with our team about the situation in DR and about training in southern Haiti for the first time in mid-2026. They’re hugely excited! We all sense the Lord’s leading in this step.
Please pray for us as we work out the details. Safe travel there will be more expensive, and we need to figure out the best shipping option. Carrying 600-800 lbs of Bibles and training materials to southern Haiti will be tricky to say the least! Yet we sense the Lord’s leading and know that He will make a way for us – in order to bless this nation of people that He loves.
We’ve had a good first week in Haiti. We began with a “beach day” with our core team and their families – a first for them and they loved it! Along with playing in the water, talking and praying, and enjoying a nice dinner together, I marveled at the changes in our team families.
Isaiah and Celina had their second baby, Blessly-Love, in May, and big sister Naomy has grown into a happy, talkative 3-year-old. Jasmin and Olimene’s daughter, Jasmine, is now a thoughtful and athletic 6-year-old. Hebert looks forward to his marriage to Nanjee, who begins her last year of nursing school in the U.S. this fall. Thanks so much for praying for our Haitian team and their families!
After taking families back home, we traveled to Fort-Liberté to lead Course 2. We first offered PPI training in this “chief city” (capital) of the Northeast Department last year. A number of church leaders told us this week how their ministry has changed since they learned to use the Thompson Bible. They now understand the importance of God’s Word to all aspects of their ministry, and they’re excited to study Scripture for themselves. They jumped into Course 2 with energy! Thank you for faithfully praying and giving to make this training possible.
After completing Course 2, we drove an hour south to Ouanaminthe, our “home base” city. I am amazed at how the city continues to change. The population is growing leaps and bounds. So many Haitians are relocating here to get away from the violence and hardship in and around Port au Prince. Situated on the border of the Dominican Republic, Ouanaminthe enjoys a better economy and quieter living conditions compared to many other Haitian cities. It would rank high on Haiti’s list of “best cities to live in.”
Tomorrow we start a week of training here, beginning with Course 5 and concluding with Course 1. Both courses likely will be full. We’re praying that God will use PPI courses – and how we lead them – to strengthen church leaders in the Way of Jesus, which leads to real, lasting change in churches, neighborhoods and, ultimately, this nation. Please pray for us this week!
We’re so thankful for Missionary Flights International (MFI)! Without this mission organization, we could not ship Thompson Bibles, course workbooks and other training materials into Haiti. We also would have a difficult time flying in and out of Haiti ourselves. MFI, quite literally, provides one of our last links right now to church leaders, churches and communities in Haiti, dear people who need encouragement, training and resources.
Joe Karabensh, president of MFI recently summarized the realities of travel to Haiti:
“Last fall MFI had to discontinue flights to Port-au-Prince, Haiti, when the airport was shut down due to three major airlines [American, JetBlue and Spirit] receiving bullet holes in their aircraft from gang members. For over six months now there has been an FAA ban on flights to Haiti’s capital city, but MFI continues to fly needed mission personnel [including PPI!] and supplies to airports in the north and Haiti’s central plateau. As gang violence escalates across Haiti, more than one million people are now displaced, many for the second or third time as gang activity spreads. With critical shortages of food, clean water, medicine, and hospital care, the country faces a growing humanitarian crisis.
“In these dark times, MFI remains a steadfast lifeline for over 600 Bible-centered organizations [including PPI!] working tirelessly to share the Hope of the Gospel throughout the Caribbean Basin. By God’s grace, and through the faithful support of our donors, MFI continues to serve those who are serving on the front lines.”
CLICK HERE to learn more about and give to MFI. They are worthy of your support!
Pray for This Trip
I return to Haiti in 10 days (on MFI) where our team will lead three PPI courses in two northeastern cities. We’re excited to offer Course 5, Leading Jesus’ Church – Leaders and Organization, for the first time! Many pastors have waited eagerly for our second course on church leadership, and we are praying God uses this study to strengthen church leaders and the church in impacting their communities through good deeds and the Good News. Please pray with us!
A few other praises and prayer requests:
* Thank the Lord for MFI and our ability to continue to travel in and out of Haiti.
* Praise God for widespread desire of pastors to participate in PPI training. God is giving us favor and much fruit right now!
* Thank the Lord for the completion and translation of Course 5.
* Ask the Lord to strengthen and protect our ministry team as we lead training in July-August. Without Him, we can do nothing that lasts for eternity.
* Ask the Lord to give church leaders eager, open hearts as we study God’s Word together and talk practically about its implications for our families, churches and communities.
* Ask the Lord to move the FAA to approve MFI’s third DC-3 by July 31. MFI needs their third DC-3 flying by early August to meet the present demand for passenger and cargo flights to Haiti. Without this third plane flying, I may need to find another way back to the U.S. in August! 🙂
The Lord’s blessings to all of you and your families. Thank you for praying for and partnering with us!
