May 2025

Dear Friends,
Most of Haiti today is controlled by gangs and bandits.  The battles continue as the gangs are determined to control all of Haiti and in doing so, they say they want to have a voice in restoring Haiti to some normality without violence.  But as insecurity in Haiti remains unchanged and seemingly even gets worse, we continue to serve the people whom God has entrusted into our care.
A few years ago, Daniel shared a need that we were able to respond to with your financial support.  We started by offering coffee and snacks at our Sunday morning worship services.  Daniel says that over 90% of church goers eat nothing before going to the worship services.  He says he wished they would have had a program like this when he was a boy since he sat in church each Sunday morning hungry.
The Haitians call this their “cafeteria” ministry.  It started small but has expanded now to all of our nine churches.  The menu has also been added to.  Coffee is served every Sunday and added to that varies each week.  A typical menu could include bread with peanut butter; spaghetti with tomato sauce; hot chocolate with crackers and peanut butter; egg sandwiches and juice; and even pumpkin soup on special occasions. 
Now over 1300 worshippers know that they will have something to eat each week.  People get up at 5:00 in the morning to begin preparing the food for the morning cafeteria.  Then they serve their brothers and sisters after Sunday School and before the worship service.  It is a unique opportunity for members to serve one another.  And Daniel reports that “we see growth in the overall fellowship as a result of this ministry.”
Thank you so very much for your support for this ministry.  Currently our monthly budget for the cafeteria ministry is $1900.  1300 fed per week comes to 5200 per month at a cost of 36.5 cents per meal.  And of course, with bellies satisfied, the people aren’t distracted from hearing God’s Word by grumbling stomachs.
Daniel asks for prayer for Shelove and Rodener.  Shelove, along with a sister and brother, grew up at our orphanage after both parents died.  After completing high school and trade school, Shelove married Rodener, a young man from Tricotte, almost five years ago.  Rodener is the principal of our elementary school in Tricotte and Shelove is the kindergarten teacher.  They ask for prayer as Shelove has been pregnant several times and each time loses the baby within a few months.  They are waiting on a miracle from God.  Please pray for them.
Daniel also asks for pray for Pastor Patrick.  Patrick is the pastor of our church in Tricotte.  He also was the principal of our high school in Tricotte.  Patrick was instrumental in preparing the legal documents for the high school and setting the curriculum to meet the highest standards of high school education.  Patrick worked hard to get a library, and a computer lab set up at the high school.  He was instrumental in getting internet access through StarLink satellite systems. 
In addition to being the pastor at the Tricotte church, Patrick took the lead in training and supporting our other eight pastors.  Pastor Patrick has been a key member of the Starfish Ministries staff in Haiti.
Director Daniel recently wrote and asked for us to “please pray for Pastor Patrick.  He couldn’t stay in Tricotte due to some health conditions and insecurity.  He now lives in Canape-vert, a part of Port-au-Prince where he has access to medical care.  Recently that area has been and continues to be under threat by the bandits.  Patrick has nowhere else to go and the gangs could attack again at any time.”
Thank you for your partnership with us in praying for Shelove and Rodener as well as Pastor Patrick and so many others as we navigate so many aspects of life as we serve God in Haiti.  God has given us the privilege to serve the people of the Tricotte area of Haiti from birth to the very oldest of the population.  Babies have been born safely in the medical clinic, and healthcare has been provided for people of all ages. Hopefully that will continue soon.  40 children, ages four through 17, are now cared for outside the orphanage setting.  Many more children from preschool all the way through trade school and university are educated and fed through the school ministry with the help of FMSC.  Over 1300 children and adults are fed through the cafeteria ministry at the churches each Sunday morning.  Many of the poorest families in the region have received help through Food Relief, also with the help of FMSC. The elderly and handicapped ministry meets needs for 86 previously-forgotten people.  We are able to hold up our Haitian brothers and sisters in prayer as they go through various trials.  And through every means possible, we present the gospel of Jesus Christ, trusting in Him to meet their greatest need.
We really appreciate your prayers and financial support!
Serving together,
Bernie, Sheryl & Philip Bovenkamp