April 2020
Dear Friends,
“God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble. Therefore, we will not fear.” Psalm 46:1-2a.
While the world is in turmoil, we can have peace because we can confidently say that God is in control. He is our “ever-present help in trouble.” Covid-19 stayed away from Haiti until very recently. There have now been a few cases in the Port-au-Prince area. Our medical staff in Tricotte hosted a seminar for Tricotte and the surrounding area to explain what they could be dealing with and how to protect themselves. Former orphan, Bruno Exame, and now Dr Bruno, practicing at our Tricotte Health Care Clinic, presented the information to a packed-out worship center crowd. What a blessing to have a recent medical school graduate and one of their own village come back and help lead them through this difficult time!
Bruno and I developed a good relationship over the years. Whenever in Haiti I try to spend a little time with him and have kept in contact through email more recently. A few days ago, I received this personal letter from him and decided to share it with you because it is with your prayers, support and partnership together that this is possible. So I’d like each of you to read it as a letter to you. It has challenged me, and I trust it will you as well.
Dear Bernie,
It is always a pleasure for me to take your news, and even more in the context that the world is at the moment. How are you my dear friend? Your family? For my part, I would not dare to say that it is fine because we are all experiencing one of the biggest nightmares that the world has ever known in our century. But we are still standing because we have a great God who is in control of everything, and that will strengthen us.
Nobody knows when we are going to leave this land, because only God knows. So it is always good to communicate with our loved ones to tell them how much we love them, and I take this opportunity to tell you how much I care and love you. You are one of the biggest miracles that God has done in my life.
I am a health worker, and the risk is as great for me as it was for the other health workers who have already left this earth while doing their work. Worry and despair live in us today. In Haiti, we really don’t have the materials necessary to protect us, but God is our greatest protector and we must trust him while respecting the instructions of the authorities in place, for the authorities come from God and as long as we still live on this earth, they can decide and we must obey them according to what God has established. We can confirm it through the Bible in Romans 13:1-5.
Please may I ask you that if it will possible to talk to me more in this sad lockdown, in that I will always have your news and know you’re doing well and your family, too.
I want you in my next years. Stay healthy and stay alive in the name of Jesus.
My best love!
Bruno
In the midst of this time, God is at work in the hearts of many in Haiti. We have had the privilege of starting churches in the remote villages of Charbe, Cadette and Pendu during the month of March. Our evangelistic team under the leadership of Pastor Herode make the two hour walk to these villages at least once each week, continuing to share the gospel and inviting the people to their new church. What’s happening in these churches is much like the early church in Acts, where the new believers were hungry for the apostles teaching and met together often.
So we have much to pray about and ask you to join us as we lift up:
- Dr Bruno and the medical staff
- Director Daniel as he leads Starfish Ministries in Haiti
- Pastor Herode as he evangelizes and develops new leaders
- The new churches in Charbe, Cadette & Pendu
- That God will use this trial to draw many to Himself
Psalm 46 ends with God saying, “Be still and know that I am God; I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth.” We will rest in that, knowing that God deserves our praise and will be glorified in all the earth!
Thank you so much for your prayers and support – God has been faithfully providing through you and we are confident in His continuing provision!
Serving the Lord together,
Bernie, Sheryl & Philip Bovenkamp
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