| Dear Friends, The Apostle Paul was in chains in prison in Rome when he wrote to the Philippians in chapter one verse 12. “Now I want you to know, brothers and sisters, that what has happened to me has really served to advance the gospel.” Paul had trials upon trials throughout his ministry and through it all, he continued to share the gospel wherever he was. When Paul was on the road to Damascus and Jesus spoke to him, Paul asked, “Who are you, Lord?” Jesus answered, Acts 26:15-18, “I am Jesus, whom you are persecuting. Now get up and stand on your feet. I have appeared to you to appoint you as a servant and as a witness of what you have seen and what I will show you. I will rescue you from your own people and from the Gentiles. I am sending you to them to open their eyes and turn them from darkness to light, and from the power of Satan to God, so that they may receive forgiveness of sins and a place among those who are sanctified by faith in Me.” We see the people of Haiti today in a very dark place and under the power of Satan. With corruption on every level of government and brutal gangs rampaging the country and terrifying the population, they need deliverance by the power of the gospel of Jesus Christ. That is primarily what God is using Starfish Ministries to do. During these treacherous times God is using Haitian men and women to accomplish His purposes. One of those men is Jonas Joseph. Jonas was born in the very remote village of Treille. Several years ago, Starfish Ministries supported a school in Treille and fed a couple hundred children each day. That’s where we met Jonas. He was a teacher in that school. Jonas is 53 years old, married to Veronique, and is father to five children ages 12-21. 15 years ago, he moved to Tricotte along with his family. At that time, we hired him to teach in our school in Ti-David. He then became the administrator of that school until five years later when we were looking for an assistant to our evangelist, Pastor Herode, Daniel chose Jonas to fulfill that role. Now when the village of Tricotte was burglarized a few weeks ago, Jonas moved his family to the safety of Gonieves. But he went back to Tricotte to serve the people who hadn’t fled. Jonas meets regularly with the church members and shares their joys and sorrows. Daniel wrote, When one of our elderly members passed away recently, Jonas was the only Starfish Ministries leader there that we could count on to assist that family. Jonas is a model of resilience. Although he has a stuttering problem, Jonas does not let that hinder him from sharing the gospel. Jonas is one of the most loyal employees of Starfish Ministries. We honor his courage considering the unsafe conditions in Tricotte that he experiences every day. We thank God for Jonas! Please pray for him as he continues to serve the left behind people of Tricotte. Through a Starfish Ministries Education Scholarship, you have helped Jonas’s oldest daughter, Venanda. She has completed high school and is now enrolled in university, studying Business Administration. Daniel recently received this letter from Venanda. Director Daniel, I would like to take this opportunity to express my sincere gratitude for the generous help in the form of food that you sent me. Your gesture deeply touched me and testifies to your high sense of solidarity, of generosity and kindness. In a world where such gestures become rare, your support is invaluable. Please accept my sincere gratitude and appreciation. I also wish you much success in your responsibilities, and may your kindness be returned to you. hundredfold. Please accept, Mr. Director General, the expression of my distinguished greetings. Venanda Joseph Thank you very much for your prayers and financial support. God is faithful and is bringing to pass changed lives in Haiti through you. We urge you to continue to pray for safety for Daniel, Jonas, and our leadership team. And please pray that God would use these terrible times in Haiti to advance the gospel and many would be saved from the darkness that permeates their lives. Serving the Lord together, Bernie, Sheryl & Philip Bovenkamp And Wishing You All a Very Blessed Year of 2026!!! |
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