| Greetings Dear friends:The reports of the turmoil in Haiti have not improved since I last wrote to you. They are more challenging: the violence, fear, hunger and killing in the capital are worse. The exodus of people from Port au Prince that flee to the northern cities of Hinche, Saint-Marc, and Cap Haitien face great danger as the gangs control the highways. Most of Port au Prince is evacuated. That is all I will say today about the sorrow. Pray for peace and stability.I want to share hope with you, and we know the hope from our Lord never disappoints. The first stories are the testimony of Hughes Joseph and Esther Julien graduates from our College Susan Schuenke. They are not unique, many students from our school have similar stories. They were able to attend through generous sponsors. One year of support is $420. You will hear more of our students needing sponsors in August. |
| I am Esther JULIEN, I am 17 years old. I live with my father, my mother and my little sister. We are a modest family where education is considered a path to success. According to my mother, I started my school career with great difficulties. Thanks to a sponsor, I was able to continue my classical studies in good conditions without fear of financial difficulties. The generosity of the sponsor was a source of motivation to help me move forward. From kindergarten to NS4 within the College Susan SCHUENKE, my aspiration after obtaining my diploma is to continue my university in the faculty of medicine, so that the community can benefit a little from the support that I received. The College Susan SCHUENKE has played a fundamental role in my education. I learned to write, read, count, and develop my critical thinking, discipline and self-confidence. Each stage of my education allowed me to better understand the world and discover my abilities. At College Susan SCHUENKE, the teachers guided me in my studies, encouraged me to do my homework, and taught me important values such as: respect for others, respect for other people’s property, work well done, perseverance and teamwork.With all my gratitude, Esther |
My name is Hugues JOSEPH, I’m 19 years old. My journey is anything but ordinary, but it’s profoundly human. It is not a perfect life, but a story of courage, love, and growth. I grew up with my mother and my sister. My father is present in my life; we don’t live together in the same city. My parents are not divorced; it’s just that life has meant that I am raised daily by my mother. This remarkable woman who never stopped fighting for me. My mother is a fighter. She gave everything so that I lacked nothing, even in the worst moments. She is my greatest strength, my example of determination. Together, we laughed, cried and grew. Every step was a challenge: school, responsibilities, doubts; but I always kept hope, wanting to succeed to honor the sacrifices made for me. I completed all my schooling from kindergarten to NS4 at College Susan SCHUENKE. The journey wasn’t easy; there were nights of doubt, difficult subjects, and moments of exhaustion; but I persevered. It was in this school that I learned much more than lessons. I discovered who I am, what I am capable of; there is always a reason to continue. Today, looking back on the journey I have taken, I feel truly proud to be one of the students of this school; I thank those who allowed me to follow this long journey. My dream is to become a civil engineer. I would like to learn how to build schools, roads, etc… I would like to participate in the reconstruction of my country. Every day is a new chapter; I hope tomorrow will be rich in knowledge, effort, and impact.
With all sincerity, Hugues JOSEPH.
I have written to you several times over the past years about the orphans Pastor Henoc and spouse Guerline rescued from Gonaives killer hurricane of 2008. In faith they adopted 12 starving, hopeless children who lost everything, to live with them in Berard. These kids all graduated from our College Susan Schuenke and went on to University. We are so excited to share that two of these children are now adults and just graduated from University last week! Please enjoy the photos below of Esdras who received his Bachelor of Arts in music and Angeline who received her Bachelor of Arts in business administration. They are the hope of Haiti.
Yes, Haiti is in great turmoil. Vision of Hope Ministries stands as a city on a hill serving as a beacon in Northern Haiti through our churches and school. We remain steadfast as we press on toward the upward call of Christ, transforming Haitians with the gospel.
We cannot continue in this endeavor alone, we continue to ask for your prayers and support. The influx of people in Cap Haitien has placed additional burden on VOHM resources. Summer teacher payrolls for July and August (approximately $10,000/month) will need to be paid from our operating income. As you are able, we ask for your continued and additional (if possible) support.
We thank God for you. Blessings
Greg Schuenke
President VOHM
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