By Jenny Jenkins

When life doesn’t go as planned, and the ministry one had carefully planned and budgeted, get put on hold due to violent activities in the country of work- what does one do? I have to be honest when the call came to leave Haiti due to the civil unrest and gang activity in Port Au Prince, the capital of Haiti, I thought it would be short lived.   

Most things in my actual place of ministry was unchanged. Schools and businesses still carried on with schedules as usual. We were affected by the activities in Port Au Prince by the difficulty and risk to get supplies and the increasing cost of all items secondary to the difficulty of getting supplies such as food, fuel and building materials from Port Au Prince. Any driver was taking a chance traveling along the national roads to procure supplies. So higher prices were charged and that increase trickled down to everything else. But as always, Haitians press on. And in the community of Grand Goave, it is no different.  
  
Since my return to the U.S. from Haiti in January, I have often been asked, “How are things there?” What’s the status on the ministry and the clinic? And at this time the answer is things are “on hold”, praying, hoping and waiting for a time when activities can start again. The hope is that at some point in the near future we will be able to resume- pick up where we left of with projects such as the school book voucher program, mobile medical clinics and hopefully soon the laying of the foundation of the health center in the community of Magandou. Everything was secured and stored to be kept safe for the return to ministry activities in the near future.    

One of the most important things during this time is to maintain the relationships  that have been developed over the past 14 years. Keeping in regular contact with folks still on the ground, living and working is important. The pastors, church and community leaders need to know that they are not forgotten. Grand Goave is removed from the violence and chaos of Port Au Prince.  Many on the mountain watch from the outside as if it isn’t their country. And they are saddened and afraid of what will become of their country and their home.    

Knowing you are not alone or forgotten in the midst of hard times doesn’t change the journey, but it does ease the weight of the burden a bit. As God promised us in Isaiah- “Fear not, for I am with you; be not dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you, yes, I will help you, I will uphold you with My righteous right hand” (Isaiah 41:10).   

So at this time much of the ministry is encouraging folks. Keeping in regular contact, letting them know they are not forgotten and there is hope. Encouraging them to remain strong and steadfast during this time. So I ask that you don’t give up on the ministry in Grand Goave. Keep praying for God’s provision and protection for our community on the mountain. Trusting in God’s plan and timing.