Listing news

Clinton Foundation Launches New Partnership with Mission of Hope, Haiti on Three Year Anniversary of Earthquake

PORT AU PRINCE, HAITI - Today President Clinton visited the Leveque community in Haiti, a village just outside of Port au Prince that is the site of Mission of Hope, Haiti’s community development project, where new homes for 314 displaced families have been built. This project has been cited as an example of what housing resettlement communities should be. The Clinton Foundation will provide solar power for the community’s new school, which will begin construction in Spring 2013, solar lights, and a drip irrigation system for farmers.

Austin Holmes, Mission of Hope’s Director of Partner Development commented on the new partnership, “While Mission of Hope solemnly remembers the tremendous loss of three years ago today, we are deeply moved by the resiliency of the Haitian people and the enduring hope of this nation. We gratefully receive the Clinton Foundation’s partnership as an encouragement to the incredible work of our Haitian team and an affirmation of God’s continued favor in allowing Mission of Hope to be part of a powerful redemption narrative.”

During his visit, President Clinton visited with community leaders from Leveque as well as toured the village, which houses 60 deaf families and over 250 hearing families. Some other projects visited include meeting the deaf community leaders who are served by implementing partner 410 Bridge, the community’s safe water facility installed by Water Missions International, and Leveque’s agricultural plots. Mission of Hope’s lead agronomist, Manasse Mersilus, also shared about their agricultural initiatives and partnership with Convoy of Hope, which allows Mission of Hope to resource and provide training for over 4000 Haitian farmers.

The Clinton Foundation has been actively engaged in Haiti since 2009, focusing on private sector investment and job creation in order to create long-term, sustainable economic development. Since 2010, the Clinton Foundation has spent a total of$28 million in Haiti, including relief funds as well as projects focused on priority areas such as housing, cholera prevention and support for the Interim Haiti Recovery Commission, a body developed to coordinate donor aid to Haiti, co-chaired by President Clinton. In 2011, the Clinton Foundation refocused its efforts in Haiti on long-term development and strategic planning, putting emphasis on private sector investment and job creation as well as capacity building and education.

Officially founded in 1998 by Brad and Vanessa Johnson, Mission of Hope has grown into a fruitful organization that houses an onsite orphanage, medical facility, school, and church. Through partnerships, the mission also serves outside of its property through education, healthcare, agricultural, and community development programs in Mission of Hope’s surrounding region of influence. The goal of Mission of Hope’s Blue to Block campaign is to provide 650 permanent homes to displaced earthquake victims currently living in temporary blue tent shelters, including incorporating a community of 160 deaf families from the slum of La Piste. The vision for Blue to Block is not only to provide housing, but to build a thriving, self-sustaining community which will include a school, a market place, a church, clean water solution, and playing fields. To learn more, please visit www.mohhaiti.org/bluetoblock

Bob King becomes Mission of Hope, Haiti's Chief Operating Officer

FT. MYERS, FL - Mission of Hope, Haiti is pleased to welcome Bob King as our new Chief Operating Officer. Bob will begin working at Mission of Hope, Haiti on January 14th, 2013. Bob has served for the last six and a half years as Executive Pastor at Hill Country Bible Church in Austin, Texas. Prior to moving to Texas in 2006, Bob served at Faith Church in Waterford, Michigan, as a member of the elder board. Bob has a significant history of service in a variety of ministries, including church leadership, student ministries and small groups.   In the private sector, Bob worked for 10 years as the Director of Global Business Development for Visteon Corporation/Ford Motor Company. Bob graduated from Grace University in Omaha, Nebraska, with a bachelor’s degree in biblical studies and human resource management.  He earned an MBA from the University of Phoenix in Southfield, MI.   During his service at Hill Country Bible Church, Bob proved himself to be an influential leader who leads out of relationship, not position.  Using his gifts as a strategic thinker and problem solver with an orientation toward growth, he motivated ministry teams and individuals to think exponentially and not settle for “good enough” results.  Bob consistently moves people toward setting higher goals, working more effectively and achieving beyond what seems possible. He welcomes challenges as opportunities to learn, develop creative solutions, and reorient toward positive change.   Wherever he serves, Bob finds ways to exercise his passion for developing young leaders.  By investing in the next generation – from teenagers to young adults – Bob helps build spiritually mature and confident Christ-followers who can step out of their comfort zones in obedience to God’s direction.  Through personal discipleship, coaching and leading numerous mission trips, Bob has ignited a desire in countless young people to live out their faith with boldness, expecting God to exceed what they imagine is possible.   Bob’s greatest joy comes from spending time with his family, which includes his wife, Lori, and their four children: Whitney (15), Alyssa (13), Cassidy (10) and Isaiah (7).  The King family enjoys boating and anything water-related. Over the past several years, the family has expanded on occasion to include as many as 11 foster children.  Through the fostering relationship, the Kings have been blessed to share the love of Jesus Christ with children who are hungry for unconditional love and acceptance.   Please join us in welcoming Bob and his family to the team; Bob we are so excited to have you!

Tropical Storm Isaac Update

**UPDATE: 8/25/12 at 11:37 a.m. est.

Dear Mission of Hope Friends and Family,

Thank you for your prayers and praise the Lord that the vast majority of Haiti avoided a direct impact from tropical storm Isaac. Although the worst-case scenario was not realized, the amount of rain that comes with even the outer bands of these storms can be very damaging in Haiti. With sustained winds of over 60 miles per hour and 12 hours of rain, the need for disaster relief is reiterated time and time again.

It is widely known that there are over 400k people still displaced from the earthquake of 2010, causing an even greater impact with potential floods and mud slides. Thanks to many of you, and your past faithfulness, we are able to respond quickly to the needs of people in our area as well as partners through Haiti One, all around the country.

Please take this time to consider an investment in our vision and our ability to meet the needs around us. Your support continues to help us to pursue life transformation for every man, woman and child in Haiti. Donate now >>

In Him,

Brad Johnson
President
Mission of Hope Haiti

See photos of Isaac in Haiti and get updates at our facebook page.

**UPDATE: 8/24/12 at 5:00 p.m. est.

Mission of Hope is continually monitoring Tropical Storm Isaac as it makes its way through the Caribbean. It has begun to turn West and will not make direct landfall on the majority of Haiti. However, the Eastern wall of the storm will affect Haiti and the villages that are served by Mission of Hope. Our campus in Titanyan is safely situated on a mountain that will block much of the wind and storm. Our buildings are built to resist strong hurricane force winds and will have no problem enduring this tropical storm. There are plenty of supplies on site for the staff and teams as well as supplies ready and available to serve those that the storm may affect more directly. For missions teams scheduled to fly on Saturday, delays should be expected.

Please be praying especially for the earthquake refugees living in the tent communities, as the potential for mudslides and flooding could cause serious risks to those families. Please also be in prayer for the Mission of Hope staff; that they will be able to respond quickly, and that God would provide the support and resources necessary for any potential damages in the outlaying communities.

If you would like to make a donation to Mission of Hope to assist with aid from the storm, please go to our Donations Page, and as you complete your giving information, write "Isaac" in the Notes field.