(For those of you not familiar, “JT” is Jeantyrard Elmera, the Haitian minister we’ve been working closely with since 2011 – photo above)
I spoke with JT this past Monday, 5 days after the assassination of the Haitian president. JT said all of our friends at the church there are ok at this point, but the country is in a state of paralysis. When I asked him specifically about the gang violence he said all was calm for right now, but everyone is living with the tension of knowing things could explode again at any moment. “We’re just trying to keep a low profile, and not draw any attention to ourselves,” he said, and laughed his JT laugh.
(Those of you who’ve been to Haiti with us will know what I mean by the “JT laugh” – for those of you who’ve not, all I can really say is that JT absolutely has the most infectious laugh of any human being I know.)
A few bright spots…
JT said that, even in the midst of all the turmoil and chaos in Port-au-Prince for the last two years, our Preachers’ Training School (Delmas Christian University) has been able to continue its operations uninterrupted. Our second graduating class, comprised of 50+ men, are on track to graduate in December with 4-year Baccalaureate degrees in Ministry, Theology, and Biblical Studies. Currently, the men are spending the entire months of July and August preaching and conducting evangelistic campaigns at various churches in St. Michel, Hinche, and Gonaive. The Haiti Fund Board of Directors (me, Jim Cain, Louis Meilinger, Johnny Israel) voted unanimously to send an extra $500 in July to help with the men’s travel expenses.
The Board also voted unanimously to send an extra $500 for the St. Michel Orphanage as well, to assist with various expenses including new tires for the truck which is used for both the church and orphanage. I received a WhatsApp text from Rolin (preacher in St. Michel) yesterday saying, “I continue working with many churches in this area, and thanks be to God all the Christians here are doing very well. Thank you very much for the extra money you sent – may God greatly bless all the Christians in South Carolina.”
Huge thanks again to those of you who’ve continued supporting our efforts with both the Preachers’ Training School and the St. Michel Orphanage – the needs in Haiti are truly overwhelming, and every little bit helps.
