Our very first summer-long Mission of Hope Haiti Vacation Bible School has begun! Precious Haitian children from neighboring villages are being dropped at our front gate by the busload each morning! We are very excited for this opportunity. We have had about 300 children on average each week, tots to pre-teens. We have 5 rotating stations they go through each day: crafts, bible stories, sports, community health, and meals.

Each week in community health children are learning essential hygiene that will help prevent disease and promote healthy habits. Basic hygiene and health teaching here in Haiti is so valuable. It is wonderful to have this new generation learning at such a young age how to stay healthy. They are learning that God made and cares for their little bodies. Throughout the week children learn how to wash their hands and brush their teeth! They also learn about proper nutrition, the food groups, and the importance of exercise and stretching. They are having so much fun with it! Each week children are returning home to their villages with bars of soap, dental supplies, and new knowledge. We hope that as they return home they will share what they have learned and the impact of this VBS will continue on and on. It is great to see the Lord using VBS as a means to not only teach these little ones about Jesus’ love for them, but also to teach them valuable life skills such as these that will help transform the Nation of Haiti for Christ.

-Lauren Freeman, Medical Intern

We are currently in our third week of VBS and one thing I have noticed from day one is our leaders. We have the most amazing group of Haitian men and women from our church and surrounding villages that are serving with us for VBS. Most are on summer break from school and have chosen to spend their summer ministering to the next generation. These leaders are all-stars in every way. From day one they stepped right in and did whatever was asked. Now they lead with such confidence and have made VBS what it is today.

Some of our faithful leaders include: James, a student at our school who joyfully leads the littlest group of kids. Mynush, an incredible mute woman who leads with strength, boldness and love that only comes from the Lord. Manus, who helps oversee the leaders and keeps the whole program running smoothly. Herby, a joyful soul who delights in serving on the meal team to help serve meals to every child that joins us for VBS. This is just to name a few. Like I said, we have an all-star team.

To serve along side these, and other leaders is a huge blessing. There is hope here and it can be seen in every leaders face as they faithfully shepherd the hundreds of children that join us each day.
 

This summer, Mission of Hope is putting on its first summer-long Vacation Bible School to reach children from in our area. It is an eight-week program where we welcome kids from different villages each week. During Bible school the kids are fed a meal, do crafts, learn about community health, play games, and learn about God’s kingdom. We have been at it for two weeks now and what a joy it has been. We have averaged about 300 kids everyday and about 30 Haitian leaders. We have also had many outstanding North American teams come and serve alongside the Haitian leaders. I cannot even begin to explain the honor it is to love and serve 300 kids everyday, as well as have the unique privilege to pour into 30 leaders. The Lord has brought such a huge blessing to Mission of Hope through VBS and it has only been two weeks. I cannot wait to see what the weeks to come bring.