Dear Friends,
If my recollection is correct, we have written a newsletter every month since the beginning of our ministry in January 1998. And that means that this is Newsletter #200. Many of you have been partnering with us this entire time and that means you’ve read a book or two of stories and information about what God has done and is doing in Haiti. We really appreciate the encouragement from you – many of you comment regularly about how much you enjoy hearing these stories. So we will continue to share and give God the glory!
Thank you for your prayers for Philip this past month. As most of you know he had triple bypass open heart surgery on July 1st. He is recovering steadily and we thank God for His healing hand.
Later this month we hope to be shipping a container from Lynden to Haiti. We have most of the contents but still have a few needs listed below.
School supplies
- Spiral notebooks
- Pencils & Pens
- Geometric devices (rulers, compasses, etc)
- Chalk
Shoes
- We could use more good used or new shoes for school children. Many times we hear that a child is not coming to school because he/she does not have shoes. So sizes of shoes for four year old to 15 year old boys and girls are much appreciated.
Sandals
- When not in school the children either run barefoot or wear sandals.
If you have and would like to donate some of these items they can be dropped off or sent to:
Starfish Ministries
1811 Main St.
Lynden, WA 98264
This month Daniel, Pastor Esau and our school directors will be directing a Vacation Bible School in eight of our school villages. Please pray for them and the children who will be attending. Each day during the week of August 18 to 22 the VBS will begin at 8:00 AM and go until 2:00 PM. The day will include games, crafts, singing, a hot lunch and a gospel message.
Although we have schools in each of the eight villages, there are still many children in each village who do not attend school. In most cases the parents either don’t see the value of education or they need the children to help with the gardening and marketing. Our goal then is that these children who haven’t had the opportunity to go to school will now attend the VBS. And we pray that this exposure may encourage their parents to send them to school this fall.
We expect that many parents will also come to this week of VBS and observe what is going on. They may help some with the crafts and game times. And they will then hear the teaching of God’s word. We trust that God will use this teaching time to reach many of the children and their parents.
We thank God for Daniel and Pastor Esau and how God is using them as they lead Starfish Ministries in Haiti. Please continue to pray for them and the rest of our Haitian leadership – for wisdom, safety, perseverance and continued growth in their spiritual lives.
Thank you, faithful supporters, for your financial and prayer support. God is using you to accomplish much for His glory in Haiti.
Serving the Lord together,
Bernie, Sheryl & Philip Bovenkamp
Comments are closed