Massive Earthquake hits southern Haiti

August 14 at 8:27 a.m., a massive 7.2 earthquake hit southern Haiti.  The epicenter was located in the middle of the mountain range near the town of L'Asile, very near to the Zanglais Ministry Center.

It is the country's strongest earthquake in 179 years since 1842 - stronger than the 2010 Port-au-Prince earthquake.

The destruction is widespread across the entire southern peninsula. No community was spared clear out to the farthest tip of the island. There are many landslides across the road that leads into the mountains to go to the other coast as well as the main road that leads west to the tip of the island. Bridges are damaged and many are impassable. In Cayes and Jeremie most, if not all, stores and businesses have been heavily damaged or destroyed. In general, the infrastructure that southern Haiti had is badly damaged and severely crippled.

Benjamin observed that "It was the grace of God that it happened at the right time...people were up and out of their houses, schools were not in session and churches were not meeting". And it is true, had it happened at another time or day, schools and churches would have been full and the death toll would have been drastically higher. In the midst of the indescribable destruction, something to be thankful for.

BAD NEWS:

Unfortunately one of the aftershocks caused quite a bit of damage to the main building of the Zanglais Ministry Center. The damage is severe enough to render that building unsafe and unusable. This building houses the dorm rooms, the kitchen, and the eating area. The hotel rooms on the hill are in good shape and usable. A temporary, outside kitchen is going to be built so we can host groups. NGOs are inquiring about using it since there are no places to stay in Cayes.

There have been regular, strong aftershocks. As you can imagine, the people are traumatized and nerves are frayed. They are afraid to go inside concrete structures and they are sleeping in their yards or out in open areas. Tropical storm Grace brought heavy rains and wind, bringing mudslides and flooding, creating more heartache.

Picot church - almost every
church looks like this!

Getting supplies from Port-au-prince has been severely impeded by gangs that control areas of the town and road that leads south. NGOs and government officials have negotiated a one-week truce with them to let supplies, containers, and personnel through. Pray as a convoy of containers and other vehicles will be going through that area in the coming days. RMI has 3 containers of food that will be a part of that convoy. It is needed now more than ever! Pray for its safe arrival.

RMI staff have been incredibly busy. They are sending out teams to visit as many of our C3 partner churches as they can get to. They will be taking pictures as well as gathering reports on how each church fared. We will forward these reports as they come in. We do know that every one of our partner churches has been affected.

Picot school - almost every
school looks like this!

MEBSH, the local church association that we partner with, is reporting that more than a quarter of their 400 churches and schools are destroyed and probably more than that number are heavily damaged.

God has uniquely prepared RMI for such a time as this. We have a good fleet of vehicles to move people and supplies. The water truck and earthmover are in much demand. Not too long ago, we installed an underground gas tank. This will sustain us for a while. We have a large staff that can help as we partner with many NGOs.

The solar power system is working very well, providing electricity for the office, the internet, the conference room (giving it a/c!) and the garage. We have opened the conference room to NGOs if they want to come, use the internet, plan, or even just take a breather. We have already hosted and facilitated a DART (Disaster, Assistance, and Response Team) as they evaluated the level of destruction, the condition, and the needs of the hospitals and clinics. We are making ourselves, staff, facilities, and equipment available to as many NGOs and groups as possible to be able to greatly expand our impact all over south Haiti.

Our hearts are so broken for dear Haiti. The devastation is hard to wrap our minds around. RMI's missionaries are anxious to return and get involved in the recovery efforts. Tessa has returned, the Starkeys will go home in a couple of weeks, the Nunemaker's shortly thereafter and the Tlucek's are finishing their deputation at the end of September.

At this point, we are not accepting teams until the fall. We know that many folks want to visit their Sister Churches, but we need time to get through this initial recovery phase before we would be ready to host a team. Your Sister Churches would love to have you visit, but with so much destruction they won't have the facilities to care for you. We will be organizing specialty teams (construction, medical, etc.) in the future.

HOW CAN YOU HELP RIGHT NOW?

RMI and Mission of Hope partnering
together to distribute earthquake aid

One big immediate need is for food (remember those 3 containers of food that coming?). Currently, RMI has 2,000 cases of food available. You can go here to purchase food. Each case is $35. At this time we are unable to provide any volume discounts. You can designate your Sister Church, but not individual families, or leave it undesignated for use where it is needed most.

Another very important and effective way to help is through financial donations. We need funds to facilitate our recovery efforts. This is vital to our service to the Lord throughout south Haiti. You can donate here.

You can donate to your Sister Church as well. They can use your assistance in this way now.

RMI and Mission of Hope delivering
supplies to Bonne Fin Hospital

It may sound trite to just ask for funds. But it is what we need most! This is really how you can help. Share this with your friends, your church, even at work. RMI is your conduit to make sure that your funds will be used as designated. We are your boots on the ground.

The need for prayer cannot be understated! We appreciate your involvement with us in this horrific disaster.

You can find the most up-to-date information and activities on our Facebook page here.

Staff Planning Meetings

After 18 long months, RMI’s Staff Leadership Meetings were finally able to take place face-to-face.  COVID prevented face-to-face meetings, so Zoom meetings had to suffice.  As we all know, those kinds of meetings only provide a limited amount of communication, brainstorming, and in-depth discussion.  At the beginning of this month RMI Field Leader, Benjamin Altema, and RMI Field Director of Operations, Benson Joseph, were able to come to the RMI office in Ft. Myers, FL.  They met with RMI President, Dan Shoemaker, and RMI Vice President of Operations, Kim Rose, for one and a half days.  They discussed ongoing ministries and plans for the future.  

We are incredibly grateful to God for providing such capable, talented, godly, and trustworthy men to lead RMI’s Haiti field and the ministries there.  They both lead with insight, integrity, commitment, and complete dedication to RMI.  Each one has come up through the ranks and has a great grasp of the inner workings of RMI’s ministries.  They aren’t afraid to speak their minds and make hard decisions.  We appreciate both Benjamin and Benson!

In addition to the planning meetings, they were able to attend the Global Leadership Summit with Dan Shoemaker.  GLS is just one way that RMI continues to enable our staff to grow and learn, making them better leaders.

A New RMI Missionary, a Wedding and Furloughs

 This summer has already been full of activity for RMI!

A New Missionary and a Wedding

RMI welcomed a new missionary to the family in May.  Dawn Shoemaker's fiance, Andrew Tlucek (pronounced Tuh-loo-check), joined RMI.  He and Dawn went through the full 1.5-day orientation.  Going to Haiti as a missionary had been in his life plan before God brought Dawn and him together.  His training has been with that purpose in mind.  He has a masters and is currently working on his doctoral thesis.  Being a Haiti missionary kid, he has a solid knowledge of the country, the culture, as well as the creole language.  His natural leadership abilities and training will be an asset to the Haiti field.  Welcome to the RMI family, Andrew!

On June 26, Andrew and Dawn were married in Nampa, Idaho.  His grandparent's backyard was turned into a beautiful wedding and reception venue.  Andrew's parents, who are missionaries in Port-au-Prince, Haiti, were there to help with the planning, and his many aunts, uncles, and cousins (he has 33!) pitched in to help decorate, prepare and serve the food, DJ the reception, and clean up.  It was a fun evening and many of the 200 guests commented on how it seemed that God prepared Andrew and Dawn for each other. 

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Her history of growing up in Haiti and currently being a missionary there meshed with his parents going to Haiti as missionaries when Andrew was 15.  They arrived there in May 2006, the same month that Dawn and her family moved to the States - when she was 15.  His family's mission has used the Zanglais Ministry Center numerous times over the years, but he and the Shoemakers never crossed paths.  

It wasn't until both Andrew and Dawn joined Eharmony about the same time in late 2019 that they found out about each other.  To make a long story short, God worked throughout 2020 to actually bring them together and they were engaged on Feb. 13, 2021.

After their honeymoon and some time in Nampa to pack up Andrew's belongings, they will be on deputation, speaking in churches and visiting supporters in Washington state, and the Chicago, Tampa, and Ft. Myers areas.  Going from a single missionary's support to a couple's necessitates their raising additional funds.  They plan on returning to Haiti at the end of September.  Pray that these extra funds will be raised by then.

Furloughs

RMI's missionaries are on the move as they are on furlough during the summer months.  Tessa is in her home area of northern Florida.  The Starkey family are in their home area of north central Ohio.  The Nunemakers are in their home area of southeastern Pennsylvania.  All of them are using this time to visit family and supporters, speak at their supporting churches and get some R and R.  They should all be back in Haiti by the end of the summer.  If you are wanting any of them at your church, feel free to contact the RMI office and we'll put you in touch with them.

Teams are Back

GOOD NEWS!  RMI is opening up for teams starting in September of this year.  Here are several significant things that have changed to make this possible.  

1.  Covid testing (required to get on a flight going to or leaving Haiti) is now available at the Bonne Fin Hospital in south Haiti.  There is also a “home” testing kit available that satisfies travel requirements.  That test kit is available in the US and can be purchased and carried to Haiti to use when you leave. 

2.  There are flights available from Port-au-Prince to Les Cayes so we don’t have to drive through the capital.  We are doing this due to the insecurity and political tensions there.  Currently, the south is free and open.  

3.  Haiti has opened and has resumed close to normal activity as a country. 

4.  RMI staff feel comfortable in hosting teams in-country. 

However, for these teams to take place, RMI is having to make some, hopefully, temporary changes to the way things have been handled in the past. 

Teams and projects provide a substantial portion of Haiti’s operating budget.  However, as you know, this past year and a half, we have had to cancel most of our teams.  This has caused great economic hardship for our Haiti Field budget.  RMI has had to subsidize the Haiti budget substantially over the last number of months.  RMI desires to maintain full staff and operations on the field so we can continue to maintain our C3 program at the highest level.  Consequently, we cannot continue to subsidize the cost of in-country air travel as we have done in the past.  We pray that this will be a temporary situation.

PROCEDURES AND CONDITIONS FOR TEAMS WANTING TO GO TO HAITI THIS FALL – September to December 2021.  (These conditions and costs will continue into 2022 unless situations and regulations change.  As things change, we will let you know.) 

1. Schedule Your Team:  As you have in the past, look at the RMI calendar online and pick a date suitable to you.  We can only take the first 2 teams that schedule for September.  We will handle more teams in October, November, and December since our missionary staff will be back from summer home assignments.  The teams in September might have only Haitian staff to host them, which we know is fine, but we want to make you are aware of it.  Once you find a date, please email the Haiti field at partnerships.haiti@rmibridge.org to get confirmation from them for your date.  First come, first served, so get your request in right away.  (Please do NOT email Lee or Dawn directly.  Thanks.)

2. UPDATED COST:  The MED (in-country costs) remains the same but we’ve had to add the cost of the domestic airline flight as well as the cost of the Covid test.  Please contact the partnership email to find out the appropriate costs for your team.

3.  In-country flights:  RMI will make all arrangements for flights from Port-au-Prince to Les Cayes.  However, should there be issues or delays resulting in a team needing to spend a night in Port-au-Prince, the cost would have to be borne by the team. We have not had a problem so far but just wanted you to be aware of the possibility.  There are luggage/weight restrictions with the domestic airlines which are stricter than the international airlines coming into the country.  These details will be discussed with each team before their arrival so everyone will know what you can or can’t bring.

4.  Covid Testing:   Team members are personally responsible to pay for the Covid tests both coming and going.  Currently, all people wanting to fly TO Haiti must have a negative Covid test within 3 days of travel to Haiti to be able to get on the plane.  The same is for returning to the States.  You must have a negative Covid test within 3 days of getting on the plane to come back to the US.  As of this writing, no statements have been made concerning those who have received a vaccine.  For all RMI teams, the testing must be done in the Les Cayes (south Haiti) area, so that if there is a positive test, RMI staff will be able to care for you at RMI facilities until such time as a negative result can be obtained.  If this were to happen, the individual would be responsible to cover all costs involved.  Be aware this could delay your return by several days to possibly two weeks or more. 

5. Maximum Team size:  8 people.  This is due to the capacity of the domestic airlines that are available for in-country flights. 

6.  Team Ministry:   Anything you would want to do. The teams would be handled as normal at the church sites.  If you would like to make any changes, please discuss them with the Haiti field through the Haiti partnership email.  Due to Covid testing issues, you might have to leave your C3 partner church a little earlier than you have done in the past.

For any questions, please email the Haiti Field.  We look forward to your visit! 

Clean Water for the Zanglais Ministry Center

 For years we have had water issues at the Zanglais Ministry Center.  Many different solutions have been tried to fill the cisterns.  We have drilled several wells, however, they have not produced water.  None of these have been long-term solutions.  God has provided the means to purchase a 5,000-gallon water truck.  The water will be taken from our own deepwater well in the Cayes area.  With it, we will be able to fill the cisterns with clean water whenever needed.  This will enable us to more effectively use the Ministry Center.  This is a huge answer to prayer!

The truck will also be able to provide water for needy communities and other organizations as we are able.  

Called by God

RMI's Haiti staff are rarely all in the same place at the same time, except for staff photo day!  Recently that day came and we thought you'd like to see the results.

We are very thankful for these men and women who are called by God to serve Him in Haiti.  Many are serving their own people.  Several are there from the US, ex-patriots who have put down roots in Haiti and are serving the Haitian people.  All are servant leaders.  We like to say that we are all equal, but with different roles.  There are guards, housekeepers, cooks, mechanics, vet technicians, data entry, photographers, chauffeurs, administrators, and more.  

The office and garage areas often appear a bit chaotic, but it is well organized with each person carrying out their assigned tasks.

When a team comes to Haiti, they usually only see a handful of the staff, but behind the scenes are many people making their trip possible.  And when there are no teams, it is this group of people, who are called by God, who keep the extensive ministries that RMI has operating smoothly.  We are proud of our staff!  

Having to cancel teams, for the time being, has put a significant strain on the field budget.  Funds from teams enable us to pay our staff and keep the ministry operating.  Would you consider a special gift to help support this fantastic group of people who are called by God to serve Him through the ministries of RMI?  You can give online here.  Choose "Haitian staff" in the first section.

Electricity, Fans and Lights - Oh My!

Solar installation at the RMI Haiti office

Because you gave, the RMI Haiti office now has reliable electricity 24/7 due to the new solar system that the RMI SunTech team just installed.  They have also installed new systems at Tessa Andrew’s home and Dawn Shoemaker’s home as well as upgrading the Nunemaker’s system that had been supplied by a donor several years ago.  Having reliable electricity is such a blessing, instead of having to rely on the hit and miss of city or mission center power.  Not only does it provide reliable power, but these systems will save a lot of funds that the ministry will be able to use elsewhere.  Being assured that you will have power when you need it for lights, fans, or refrigeration, etc. will take a big burden away from our missionary families and staff.  Thank you for your provision for this project.  

Solar upgrade at the Nunemaker's home

It has been a very timely project as electricity is becoming more erratic, unreliable and often just nonexistent.  Thank you so much for answering the call to help with this specific need.

 

There is still much work to do to finish some details at the RMI Haiti office, the conference room, the depot, garage and the internet room.  [RMI has the responsibility of maintaining the internet equipment for the entire mission center.]  While enough funds came in to start, $30,000 is still needed to complete the project.

 

Solar installation at Tessa's home

Would you consider a special gift toward the completion of this project?  You can donate by going to www.rmibridge.org/financial-donations.  Once you arrive on the donations page, choose “solar power system”.

 

*Note*  The Starkey family already had a RMI SunTech solar system installed through funds provided by a donor last year.  What a great blessing! 

Solar installation at Dawn's home

What Does a Transformed Life Look Like?

Edmond was born in the small village of St. Louis du Sud, not far from the Zanglais Ministry Center.  He led a peaceful life for more than 30 years.  Unfortunately, there was a gang operating in his village that preyed on visitors and foreigners who came to visit.  He felt it was wrong and wasn't happy with the situation.

He alerted the police as to what was happening and they arrested two of the gang.  When the gang found out that it was Edmond who had exposed them to the police, they plotted to kill him.  On April 13, 2019, they attacked him but the assassination went wrong.  In the struggle, he was shot in the hand and his attackers fled.  Unfortunately, his hand had to be amputated.  This changed his life dramatically; it made it hard to farm and care for his family.

A few months after this happened, he was at a rehabilitation clinic in Cayes where he met Wes Breedon.  Wes was visiting his C3 partner church, Baraderes, with his church, Creekside Community Church, Gainesville, FL.  While he was in the country, he asked RMI missionary, Rob Thompson, if there was a rehabilitation clinic he could visit.  His occupation in the states is creating prosthetics for amputees and he was very interested in seeing a rehab clinic and meeting some of the people there.  When he met Edmond he felt that he could help him.  He took measurements of Edmond's arm and returned to the US.

Wes returned the next year with not one but two hands.  RMI staff took him to the rehab clinic where Edmond was waiting.  He was very excited, to say the least!  Wes carefully fitted it on his arm.  He showed him how to put it on and then had him practice grasping a glass.  Edmond practiced putting it on himself and then taking it off.

Even though he said he attends a Catholic church, the RMI staff shared the Gospel with him and encouraged him to accept Christ as his Savior.  The seed has been planted...and reinforced with the gift of a hand.  

His life has been transformed.  Now his prospect of living a productive life has increased.  He can farm, care for himself and his family.

Pray that Edmond and his family would come to the saving knowledge of Christ.  Then the transformation of his life will truly be complete.

Ministry Impact Report - A Look in the Rearview Mirror

God is at Work

This is a year that most people are happy to see come to an end.  For RMI’s ministry in Haiti, Covid-19, political issues, canceled teams, and fuel shortages are just some things that we had to deal with.  But God!  But God kept our team safe and healthy.  They labored on and an amazing amount of ministry took place.  God continues to use RMI even in a year like 2020.

Here is a quick look in the rearview mirror at some of what we accomplished in 2020.

C3 Partnerships

107 salvations in our C3 Haitian Sister Churches

51 baptisms in our C3 Haitian Sister Churches

1 new C3 partnership

11 Sister Church visits completed comprising of 69 team members

34 active C3 partnerships

Hope for Kidz & School Education

2,704 children sponsored

10,664 kids fed a hot lunch daily in school

7 food containers (8,820 boxes = 1.9 million meals) received and distributed for relief and the Hot Lunch Program

4 food storage depots and school kitchens built to facilitate the Hot Lunch Program

2 school buildings built

579 kid’s Bibles distributed

6 children helped through the HFKz Medical Assistance Program

17,000+ children dewormed

12 teacher’s desks and chairs

12 tables and 40 small chairs built for younger grades

42 soccer balls distributed

Teachers continue to be trained through the P4H Teacher Training Program

1 missionary joined the Hope for Kidz team 

Haiti Operations Team

1 church built

2 motorcycles for pastors purchased and delivered

76 school and church benches built

50 doors and windows bought and/or built for schools and churches

51 Bible/songbooks distributed

860 face masks distributed

New entry gate built for the Zanglais Ministry Center

4 farmer kits distributed

2 vehicles purchased for field use, 1 pickup and a 12 passenger van

180 goats distributed

98 water filters distributed and the families trained on how to use them

11 individual solar lamps distributed

3 Homes for Haiti homes built

1 well drilled for a community

5 solar projects completed under RMI’s new solar program, SunTech

We are so thankful for the special men and women of RMI that work faithfully every day.  Some work behind the scenes, some of them are more visible, but they all work hard and with joy.  The RMI Haiti office is always a busy, buzzing hive of activity with people coming and going - there are always multiple types of ministry happening!  And you help make it all possible with your financial and prayer support.  The Lord’s work is being done because of you.  Thank you so much.

Introducing SunTech, a Ministry of RMI

Haiti is the only country in the Caribbean where most people either have no electricity or have no access to it.  

The Electric of Haiti (EDH) and other small electric companies do not cover the entire country.  They only have regional power plants.  Some are hydroelectric plants as a result of damming significant rivers and some are generator plants that have large diesel generators to create the electricity.  

None of these have the capacity to create enough power to satisfy the needs of each of their regions.  They also do not have the needed funds to buy the large quantities of diesel necessary for the generators.  Adding to this difficulty, the power companies have recently become something of a political pawn in Haiti’s ongoing unrest.  

Also, most areas have no power companies or any other means of getting electricity.  Most of these areas are rural and people are forced to live in darkness.  The only nighttime light they have access to are kerosene lamps or candles.  It is by these lamps that most of Haiti’s children study or do their homework.  The candle and lamp smoke often cause eye problems or diseases.

Electricity provides opportunities to better their lives on many levels.  It not only provides lights but the possibility to operate refrigerators and freezers; it enables people to have computers, charge cell phones, and other electronics.  It enables their children to study without damage to their eyes.  It enables families to better care for themselves.

SunTech, a ministry of RMI, is a solar power system that is assembled by RMI employees who are experienced solar technicians to provide 24/7 electricity.  We have created a system designed to bring power solutions for churches, parsonages, schools, homes, orphanages, guest houses, and other applications, using the efficiency of solar.  

There are 4 plans available:  The Basic Plan provides 3.7 KW.  The Medium Plan provides 9 KW.  The Regular Plan provides 11 KW.   The Advanced Plan provides up to 20 KW and is custom designed based on specific needs.

This is an excellent project for your church to provide a felt need of your C3 partner!   Contact RMI for current pricing.

The Time Has Come

For years our RMI Haiti office, our storage and depot facilities, and missionary homes have struggled with reliable electricity.  All of these are a part of Cite Lumiere, the mission center that is the headquarters for MEBSH, our Haitian Partner Church Association.  There are quite a few offices and other missionary homes on Cite Lumiere besides RMI’s.  They all rely on city power, which is erratic and unstable, and Cite Lumiere’s single aging generator.  Both are very costly.  Sometimes getting fuel for the generator is an issue.   Recently the cost of fuel has skyrocketed, increasing the cost even more.  This affects the operations of the office and homes; it goes beyond having lights, fans, and computers - it affects our internet as well.  Not having internet means that the field can’t communicate with our ministry partners all over the US as well they can’t communicate with the RMI International office.

The time has come for us to “bite the bullet” and make use of one resource that we have in abundance: sun power.  Those who operate the mission center have asked all those living there and ministry offices to raise the funds to install solar systems for their particular homes and offices.  This would relieve the generator of the strain on it as well as give everyone reliable and sustainable power.  We’ve hesitated to do it because it is a huge initial outlay of funds.  But we know that in the long run, the benefits greatly outweigh the costs.  We want to be good stewards of the monies that God has entrusted to us.

RMI needs to raise the funds to put solar systems on our office, the storage and depot area, and 4 missionary homes.  It is estimated that these systems will cost between $40,000 and $50,000.  Yes, it’s a large amount but it is something we must do in the coming months and, in the long run, will ultimately save us much more than that in city power and generator costs.

Would you partner with us to see this happen??!  This definitely affects the ministry as a whole and the ministry between you and your C3 partner church.  We are praying that we can give the field staff the go-ahead to start this project in January.  If you are able to help with this need, go to RMIbridge.org and click on the solar project button, or call 239-368-8290.  

Some funds have begun to come in since we introduced this need last month.  Thank you to all of you who have given to this project so far!  We know that this year has been stressful in all kinds of ways, so we really appreciate your gifts.

Be Thankful for 2020?!

 I don’t know about you, but I have had a hard time getting into a true Thanksgiving mindset.  2020 has been such a tough year, for individuals, families, businesses, communities, and our nation, not to mention the rest of the world.  The challenges most of us have had to face as a result of Covid-19 have been daunting:  lock-downs, quarantines, stay at home, work from home, kids trying to learn from home, loss of loved ones, loss of job, income, or business, not to mention politics!  It has been a tough, crazy, hard year.

And yet the Lord tells us in Phil 4:6  ^“Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.”  I have been anxious…about so many situations…and issues…and…so much Lord!  The deep prayers for so much and so many, the petitions, and requests have been made.  But with thanksgiving?  Not so much.  God, don’t you see what is going on in our lives, our families, our nation, our ministry, in the US, and in Haiti?  Thankful?  That is not so easy these days.
 
And yet the Lord has gently reminded me recently of what being thankful is all about. The Lord brought back to mind the response of so many Haitian brothers and sisters in the midst of great tragedies and problems, whether devastating hurricanes, earthquakes, crops lost due to flooding, deep poverty, hunger, or personal loss, of their thankfulness to the Lord of His care for them in the midst of it all. They still had life, health, and especially a great hope of eternity in Heaven no matter how tough this current life is.  God will provide in His time and His way.  God is in control. 
 
You see, they understand that if they lay their burdens at the foot of the Throne of God, with realization and a thankful heart for all that God has done and will do, in the midst of difficult and often crushing situations, that verse 7 comes into play:  "And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus."  Phil 4:7
 
So yes, this week I am working on reminding myself of ALL that I am thankful for in life, especially in Christ Jesus.  And my challenge to you is to do the same.  Lay your burdens at the feet of Jesus, and remind yourself, of ALL that you are thankful for, no matter what is going on, IN CHRIST JESUS!
 
One area of thankfulness for me has been how you, the Body of Christ, have reached out, often in the midst of your own challenges, to respond to the needs presented before you of our Haitian brethren and RMI these days.  Many boxes of food, goats, and bags of seeds have been sponsored to help our hurting Haitian brothers and sisters.  On their behalf, THANK YOU!  You are part of that trust in the provision of the Lord they have, as you are an answer to their prayers and needs.  (If you want to help, go to RMIbridge.org and click on “Christmas Bundles” for more info.)  I also want to thank so many of you who have sent a financial gift to RMI to help us navigate these difficult times. We are counting on your support to help get us through this tough and lean year. 
 
May you have a great THANKS-GIVING with family and friends, as limited as it might be this year!  I know my family and I will.  May the Peace of God guard our hearts and minds this Holiday season. 

Daniel Shoemaker
President

High Flying Teams

 YES! Teams have begun to return.  Three teams came in during the fall.  The Bayou (Lafayette, LA) met with the ladies of the church and distributed 100 hygiene kits. They did a number of home visits where they were able to share the word of God, pray with them, and leave them with a box of food. They also helped to serve the hot lunch to the kids in the school. 

Creekside (Gainesville, FL) went to their Sister Church, Baradere, and were able to visit all the satellite churches. The Sister Church Coordinator and the church have invested in all those churches and he came to see how the projects were doing. They came with a team member who is from another US church that is a potential partner for the Tet Source church. It was a very productive visit.

Lifehouse (Delaware) was able to do the usual services and outreaches.  In addition, they had training for all the men in the church and shared beef jerky with them, which was a fun treat! They loved it. They visited two satellite churches and met with two pastors who traveled to Aux Coteaux in order to meet them. They built church benches as well as distributed water filters and goats. They also visited homes, prayed with them, and gave them a box of food. They met with all the kids in the school and served them a hot lunch.  What a great encouragement!

Currently, we are flying teams from Port-au-Prince to Cayes where our headquarters is located.  The main reason is to bypass the congested city of Port-au-Prince and any possible encounters with political problems and roadblocks.  This has worked out well.  It is faster and less fatiguing than driving the whole way.  We’re still using the Zanglais Ministry Center, so you won’t miss the chance to take a dip in the Caribbean.

January is completely booked, and February is half booked.  If your church has not reserved their spot on the calendar, they need to do it soon.  We’re really encouraged by the fact that churches want to see these relationships continue and they are eager to visit their Haitian brothers and sisters.

Three Impactful Essentials That You Can Help With This Giving Season

 As we enter the Giving Season, we invite you to provide a better way of life for a Haitian family.  With the global COVID-19 pandemic, Tropical Storm Laura flooding, and civil unrest, Haiti has seen its fair share of heartache this year.  As a result, many families are experiencing real hardship that is only going to get worse.  Food scarcity is a real problem, many lost their gardens due to flooding/wind, and all are struggling with the loss of income.  Thus RMI is offering 3 impactful essentials that are immediately available.

Food Boxes-Rice and Cooking Oil - Each case of food contains 216 chicken flavored rice-based meals fortified with vitamins, protein, and minerals.  Household staples, like rice and cooking oil, have risen to prices most families cannot afford.

Bag of Seeds - Crops were widely wiped out in flooding from Tropical Storm Laura, making a gift of seeds very timely for the next planting season.  Seeds are very expensive, thus your gift of seeds will enable a family to be able to replant their gardens at the appropriate time when there was little hope they could afford to do so.  Your gift will provide a household with 1 bag of seeds (millet, corn, black beans, etc.)

Goats - A sustainable option that gives hope for a better future.  A goat provides a family with a means to help themselves nutritionally and financially.

Bundle - If you like to purchase a bundle (all 3 items) for $240, we will add a Creole Bible to the gift.

Price List

Food Box and Cooking Oil - $40 each

Bag of Seeds - $60 each

Goats - $140

Bundle - $240

Ordering is simple - you can order online via our website, www.RMIbridge.org, and click on the Christmas gift box.  You can also place your order by mail or telephone.  Toll-free 877-764-5439 or 239-368-8390.  Remember, all gifts are tax-deductible.

Tropical Storm Laura Impacts Haiti

 As a tropical storm, before hitting Louisiana in late August as a strong hurricane, Laura passed by Hispaniola, inundating it with massive amounts of rain and some wind.   RMI staff contacted all of the C3 partner churches and here is the report.

All the pastors reported major flooding and the loss of most of their crops, such as bananas, plantains, corn, peanuts, and beans.  Churches along the northern coast of the peninsula reported that fishermen lost fishing equipment such as nets and canoes.   Along the coast on the end of the peninsula, a major bridge at Roche a Bateau was completely washed out.  Only motorcycles can cross to the other side right now.  This makes access to Tiburon, Port-a-Piment, Aux Coteaux, Les Anglais, and Chardonette cut off until the water goes down and some other kind of crossing can be made.  None of the pastors talked of animal loss, but it is most certainly a part of the losses.  

Continue to pray for Haiti as they recover.  The loss of crops will have the most effect on them.  They count on the harvest to sell to feed their families and to send their kids to school.

Introducing RMI Recon Teams

Reconnaissance (recon for short) is a general search, examination or survey of an area or situation.

Between last year’s political unrest and COVID-19, many teams have been unable to visit their C3 partners. We recognize many churches’ reluctance to send a full team - yet they want a first-hand report on how their churches are doing. This is why we are introducing the RMI Recon Teams.

  

The goal is to re-acquaint US and Haitian churches with one another, to encourage each other, and to bring back to the US fresh vision for future partnering together as well as excitement to schedule a visit for the church in 2021.  It also allows other churches to experience different C3 Partnerships and their communities.  Again, most importantly, these visits would be to prepare churches for a team visit in the future.  

Each Recon Team is Friday to Wednesday.

The cost is $695.  All airfare is not included.  

 

Each Recon Team would be made up of 2 to 3 people per church.  You’ll be traveling with several other churches.

The entire team will visit all the churches represented together, with one of them being their particular C3 Partner church.  Each trip would be planned so that the churches would be in close proximity to each other.  Each church visit will be 24 hours then move to the next church.

  

Here is an example of the schedule:

Friday – arrive in Port and to Zanglais Ministry Center

Saturday – leave for the furthest away church, arrive by 3 or 4 in the afternoon at the latest.

While there, have a service at the church and a meeting with deacons, see facilities, some general fellowship, see a school in action if possible, visit some members in their homes, etc.

Leave each church after lunch by 2 p.m.  

Church 1 - Saturday to Sunday  (Sunday am service)

Church 2 - Sunday to Monday  (Sunday evening service)

Church 3 - Monday to Tuesday   (Monday evening service)

Tuesday afternoon to Zanglais Ministry

Wednesday to Port to return home

If you want to be a part of a Recon Team, please see your church’s C3 Partnership Coordinator for the dates assigned to your church.

RMI Haiti Staff Update

RMI loves the concept of the “Church”, the family of God.  The fact that we are all brothers and sisters in Christ is one of the foundations of RMI’s principle ministry, our C3 Partnership Program.  That same principle is at work in the way that RMI staff prioritizes “teamwork” and working together as family. 

The RMI staff are one of the things that sets RMI apart from other agencies.  We are blessed that all our staff (Haiti and US) are first of all and foremost, Godly men and women.  This is our foundation.

They also must be sold out to the concept of teamwork, integrity, humility, and family.  We emphasize that they are not there for a job, but are called to ministry, to be a missionary to their own people and the US churches.

Posted in each office is a framed copy of the RMI Haiti Employee Values.  Here are a few of them (in no particular order):

• People – RMI cares about you, and your relationship with God, your family and others.
• Planning/Preparation – RMI believes God wants us to prayerfully and strategically plan well for greater future impact.
• Efficiency – God cares deeply about stewarding the resources that he has blessed us with (Time, Talents, Treasure).  We should take great care to preserve, save, and stretch our resources.
• 2nd Mile Service – We will serve others by going more than an extra mile… even a 2nd mile to serve others.
• Good Attitude – RMI expects you to work with a good and positive attitude.  Negativity is like a sickness that will spread to others.
• Cleanliness and Organization – We like everything to be clean and organized.  Watch for opportunities to clean and organize offices, yards, computers, trucks, motorcycles, tools, etc. 
• Teach-ability – Employees should be ready to humbly learn from our supervisors and from those we supervise.
• Accountability – RMI expects to hold others accountable as well as to be held accountable.
• Initiative – RMI expects to see people taking initiative, to act independently, to think outside the box, to act before being told to, and to look for ways to help outside of one’s normal job description.

Our staff are top-notch and have been such an example of a godly and “well-oiled machine”,  that occasionally our field director, Benjamin Altema, is approached by other local agencies to find out about our RMI culture and how we find such great people to work for us. 

These men and women make RMI’s ministry happen.  It is exciting to know that we are all working together to minister into the lives of all those, both Haitian and American, that we partner with. 

The Story of Tet Source

Tet Source (pronounced sous) is a very remote village up in the foothills of southern Haiti.  Five years ago Pastor Jean Benoit came from his large church in Labiche to establish a satellite church.  God blessed his faithful witness and preaching and soon a small congregation was established.  But Tet Source is a very poor community and could not afford to build itself a church building.  Thus, their services were held under a makeshift lean-to structure called a tonel (pronounced toe nell).  It provided a little bit of shade for the 80 member congregation.

Meanwhile, in Baraderes, a neighboring district, an RMI corporate sponsor regularly visited his church’s C3 partner church.  He also has sponsored, along with others, the building of several schools, churches, and several other large projects in the Baraderes area.  After his trips to Haiti, he regularly shared his love for Haiti, the great needs there, and his projects with his friends and colleagues.  One of his friends was so impressed with what could be done and the impact that these projects could have, he asked RMI to find a needy church and community that didn’t have a C3 church or have any other help that he could partner with.  RMI consulted with the MEBSH leadership and they suggested Tet Source.

The building took several months and was supervised by RMI’s construction crew.  Members of the congregation helped where they could by gathering large stones for the foundation, bringing water to mix the cement, and providing some of the labor to build and plaster the walls, put on the roof, and many other ways.  It was a real community effort.

The members of the Tet Source church and community now have a large, beautiful church in which to meet.  They are excited to see this answer to their prayers.  It is a reminder to them that God is concerned with their needs and knows their circumstances.

The construction is not done yet, though.  The sponsor is also funding the building of a 6-room school so a Christian school will be available to the area children.  That building is in process now and they plan to open in the fall.  MEBSH will also assign Tet Source its own pastor soon.

RMI is thankful to the corporate sponsor for being willing to be a part of God’s answer to Tet Source’s prayers.  This sponsor has made an eternal impact on this congregation and community.

Schools of Excellence

We are committed to ensuring that our schools are schools of excellence.  This means making sure that each teacher is well trained.  We have partnered with P4H Global to give our teachers the necessary evaluation and training that they need.  The first session of week-long training was completed by 54 teachers from 4 of our Hope for Kidz schools.   It involved classroom observations, evaluations, and training.   RMI staff member, Patrick, did a great job making sure the training went well and was a success.  We look forward to partnering with P4H Global again, training more teachers.

Don't forget...it's time to renew your child sponsorship.  

You can do this HERE.

Hope for Kidz Sponsorship Renewal Time

It’s time to renew your sponsorship of your child (ren) that you sponsor through RMI’s Hope for Kidz Sponsorship Program for this upcoming 2020-2021 school year.

If you don’t currently support a child, then now is the perfect time to start!  It is truly a life transforming experience for these sponsored kids.  Getting a basic education is the key to enabling them to rise above the poverty that they were born into.  Education is also the key to improving the country as a whole.

It is also life transforming due to the Hot Lunch Program that enables the kids to have one hot, nutritious meal at school.  These meals make it possible to concentrate and learn.  It is formulated to provide the vitamins, nutrients, and protein that they need to go from malnutrition to good health in just a few months.  Sometimes the improvements in the children are astonishing.

Sponsors are a part of making this happen for their sponsored child!

Our Hope for Kidz staff has worked hard at visiting each school, getting new and updated pictures and information on each child.  These are now available for each sponsor.

We are rejoicing that we currently have 2,705 kids sponsored and feed 10,600+ children each school day.

Don’t delay!  Renew or start your sponsorship HERE.  For more information,  check out the Hope for Kidz page on RMI's website HERE.  You can also find us on Facebook HERE.