Stories of Hope | December 2023
Mission of Hope (Fondation Mission de l’Espoir, or FOME in Haiti) was invited to attend the 2023 Global Food Security Cluster in Rome, Italy by the World Food Programme in November. Josh Hodges, Mission of Hope’s Chief Operating Officer, and Ruben Cenea, Haiti Ministry Support Manager, presented.
This invitation is a testament to God's favor and hand over Mission of Hope through the years. It’s also an outstanding honor and a testament to our national staff and leaders in Haiti who have worked diligently for 25 years to create a replicable global standard of operating with excellence through growing adversity.
Viewed as a gold standard for delivering humanitarian aid effectively, efficiently, and creatively in times of increasing insecurity and civil unrest, Mission of Hope was selected as the sole local NGO to attend and present at this year’s Global Food Security Cluster meeting. We were asked to formally represent Haiti as one of three key focus countries in the world, specifically focusing on how civil unrest compels humanitarian actors to redefine aid delivery.
It’s an immense honor and great responsibility to be invited to represent and share the reality of the dire hunger crisis in Haiti. 2023 marked a tragic turning point in the escalation of civil unrest. In an ever-changing food security landscape, with soaring levels of needs and operational costs, coordination is essential now more than ever.
Global food security experts discussed the situation in a selection of crises, highlighting the altered conditions faced by the humanitarian community in the field, and provided recommendations moving forward.
The key presentation points they focused on were:
- How civil unrest in Haiti hampers aid delivery and impacts food security of the most vulnerable
- How to deliver assistance when movements of staff, population, or supplies are limited and financial resources are drastically lacking
Please join us in prayer for how God will use this to deepen partnerships and help get food to the hungry and vulnerable.
This Story of Hope is a timely one as 2023 comes to a close and we reflect on all that God has done over the past 25 years of ministry, and this year in particular. Your prayers and support are deeply valuable to ministry, and we could not do this without you!
Related Articles
Esterline’s story began in a place of deep fear and uncertainty. His mom was very sick, and their family had already spent everything they had trying to help her; going from place to place, even to a voodoo doctor, hoping something would work. But nothing changed. She was still just as sick, and they were left with no money and no answers. In the middle of dealing with his mother’s illness and his own desperation for her to get better, Esterline cried out to God. “If you save my mom,” he prayed, “I will follow you for the rest of my life.” Not long after, he asked his small group leader and their village champion to come to his home and pray. As they stood together and lifted up his mom, something powerful happened. Not just physically, but spiritually. In that moment, she chose to put her trust in Jesus.And things began to change. Day by day, her health started to improve… until she was completely healed. But the story doesn’t stop there. Esterline remembered the promise he made. He went to the village champion and said, “I need Jesus. I remember my promise to God.” And he chose to follow Him. Now, instead of fear filling their home, there is joy. Instead of searching for answers, they have found hope. Together, they go to church. Together, they worship. What started as desperation turned into a story of healing.
March was packed, and we can’t wait to tell you about it! Over the course of the month of March, 361 team members came alongside the work in the Dominican Republic, helping serve 1,535 people through medical care and reaching 746 more through Strategic Ministry Time. We welcomed over 2,200 kids into Kids Club, and most importantly, we celebrated 61 people who made the decision to follow Christ! While in the community of Los Higos, one of our teams spent time with a couple who are both battling cancer. After spending most of their savings on medication, they were often left without enough money to even buy clean drinking water. Through local church leaders, we were able to reach their home and give them a water filter that will provide safe, clean water for the next 10 years. As the team shared how the filter takes water that isn’t safe and transforms it into something clean and pure, they explained how Jesus does the same in our lives—washing, restoring, and making us new. Sitting there in their home, the couple was moved to tears. In that moment, both chose to accept Christ. We are so thankful for every team member that came down, ready to serve, share the Gospel and bring hope to every man, woman and child across the Dominican Republic.
Education in Haiti is not easy. It requires courage, resilience, and an unwavering belief that children are worth fighting for. James Petit Homme is a teacher passionate about education and child development. For years, he has faithfully served students through Mission of Hope, investing in their growth both inside and outside the classroom. But his commitment has been tested due to the unrest in Haiti. There was a time when violent unrest forced James and his fellow educators to leave their school building. Armed groups took control of the area, and what had once been a safe place for learning became unsafe overnight. At a time when reopening felt uncertain, the Lord faithfully answered parents' prayers. Determined not to let education stop, the school leadership found an alternative location in a neighboring town where classes could safely continue. Through the support of Mission of Hope and the faithful generosity of sponsors and donors, classrooms were set up, and students were welcomed back. “We did not give up,” James shares. “Mission of Hope did not let us sit idle. They continued to support us so we could keep serving children and the community.” Because of that support, James has been able not only to continue teaching but to grow in confidence, patience, and perseverance. He has experienced firsthand the strength that comes from hope and solidarity. He has seen how education can remain steady in the midst of chaos, and how a classroom can become a safe haven for students, no matter their circumstances.
