Quite a few challenges have developed in Haiti. You can read the full update from Reformation Hope here. Here are some ways we can be in prayer for Souls Winning Ministries and their work:
Osseille Joseph sends his thanks for the help we have given. His family is safe, though they have lost their home to gangs. There is an application to USCIS to bring him and his family to the US, but there has been no action on it yet. Here is an excerpt of a letter he shared in the Reformation Hope newsletter:
Dear Brothers and Sisters,
Warmest greetings in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ. We thank you for the way that you support us and our family ever since my time in jail and right up to this day. Because of the unsecure conditions in my area, we can’t stay in our house, so now we are staying outside of the city. Even while our situation is complicated, we continue to preach the salvation of God to people who haven’t gone to the theological seminary. Please keep praying for our next trip in August, we will have the opportunity to teach some leaders and also to baptize some people who have confessed saving faith at that time. Our vision is to open another Bible college for that community, Please help with your prayers that God’s will might be for that dream to come true. Our family is grateful to be at a new apartment by the grace of God. We hope in the future that Haiti will have peace and that we will be able to safely return to our home. Our family and I will never forget all that you have done to support us in this very terrible situation.
Sincerely, Your Brother in Christ,
Rev. Osseille Joseph
The Presbyterian Seminary in Jacmel on the southern coast of Haiti is doing well. Students come from around the area for a week of teaching every 4-6 weeks. Their next session, from August 14-18, will cover biblical ethics.
There is a flu epidemic raging, that hit the kids of the orphanage pretty hard. While many of the children have had mild cases, there have been a few severe cases. Key symptoms are fever, vomiting, and diarrhea. Thankfully, the Reformed Medical Clinic has been able to treat the New Joy House Children and monitor their recoveries.
The gang situation is ongoing. Kidnappings for ransom have become more prominent. Recently, an American nurse and her child were kidnapped while doing humanitarian work in Port-au-Prince. The State Department raised its travel advisory to Level 4, Do Not Travel, and is bringing home all but the most essential personnel from the US Embassy.
There are a number of projects that need financial support — sponsoring a child in the orphanage, purchasing supplies for a seminary student, supporting the health center, etc. If you are inclined, check out the Reformation Hope page at reformationhope.org/donate or contact Rich Kennedy.