Dear Friends,
We really appreciate each of you partners in this ministry. Again, the giving around Thanksgiving and Christmas has been significant as we have received over $40,000 and are still counting. What that means is that we now have enough to purchase coffee and snacks for our church attenders for several months. We are able to purchase many Bibles and songbooks to be distributed to those who are otherwise unable to afford them. Food for the school feeding program was a high priority and through your gifts we are feeding thousands of children each day of school. Almost 50 soccer balls will be distributed to the schools and the orphanage. Gift boxes for children and families are being distributed. And chickens and goats are going out to those that need them most. So, thank you so much! God is using you to provide for the needs of the needy in the Tricotte area.
Daniel recently reported that our elderly ministry team is now supporting 83 elderly and handicapped people in nine of the remote villages in the mountains surrounding Tricotte. These dedicated team members must hike for several hours sometimes to reach these areas. They carry with them food, sometimes clothing and shoes, often hygiene supplies – whatever is needed to help these often-forgotten people with necessities for living. The team also surveys the housing conditions and brings back reports to Daniel for consideration of helping with repairs. The elderly ministry team is always prepared to share the gospel of Jesus Christ with those they are serving and anyone else along the way. We trust that God is working through the humanitarian outreach and preparing hearts for harvest.
A couple of months ago we shared that our orphanage director, Lizette, was pregnant and expecting her baby in December. We asked you to pray for her and the safe arrival of her first child – Lizette is 47 years old. Elijah Benjamin Loiseau was born on December 2, 2023. It was determined by the doctors that Lizette should have a C-Section. And she was able to find a secure hospital in the Port-au-Prince area that could do that surgery. Our clinic in Tricotte is not suited for this kind of surgery so it was necessary for her to find a hospital capable of doing C-Section surgery. Thank you for your prayers – God has provided!
Elijah was a little over six pounds at birth and has been gaining weight. He initially had some breathing problems, so he was on oxygen for his first four days. But after those four days Lizette and Elijah were released to go home. Lizette shared that “she has faith that God will continue to bless her family. I really appreciate all your prayers.” Please continue to pray for Elijah’s health and for Lizette as her lower belly pain is still lingering.
A couple of days ago I received an update. Lucner says that Lizette is getting better although she still has some pain at times. Elijah has a cold and cries a lot. Lizette is carefully following the doctors’ instructions for Elijah and herself.
Another year is dawning, dear Father, let it be
In working or in waiting, another year with Thee;
Another year of progress, another year of praise,
Another year of proving Thy presence all the days.
Another year of mercies, of faithfulness and grace,
Another year of gladness in the shining of Thy face;
Another year of leaning upon Thy loving breast;
Another year of trusting, of quiet, happy rest.
Another year of service, of witness for Thy love,
Another year of training for holier work above;
Another year is dawning, dear Father, let it be
On earth, or else in Heaven, another year for Thee.
2024 – our 27th year of serving in Haiti. I like the lyrics of this old hymn; Another Year is Dawning. There will be times of working and waiting. Times of progress and certainly of Praise. We will experience God’s mercy, faithfulness and grace. And as the song ends, Another year for Thee; that is our mission. Our goal never changes. We will use the many means of serving the needs of the Haitians for the ultimate purpose of having the opportunity to share Christ and see many respond to the gospel. All for the glory of God!
Your partnership with us helps to make all this possible. Thank you for your generous, faithful financial support. And please keep on praying. Conditions are terrible in Haiti but God uses difficult times to move His people forward, whether to Salvation or to a closer walk with Him.
Have a blessed 2024,
Bernie, Sheryl & Philip Bovenkamp
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