Dear Friends,
It has been such a joy to be with you on this exciting journey! Many of you have been with us since our humble beginnings in 2015 when we started with just one class of 10 students in Port-de-Paix. It’s amazing to see how the Lord has expanded the ministry and taught so many Haitians how to sew.
When we started back in 2015, our mission was simple - teach Haitians how to sew so they can provide for themselves and their families.
Thankfully, with the Lord’s provision and your prayers and support, we feel we’ve accomplished that mission.
So after much prayer and conversations with our mission partners, we've decided to discontinue the sewing programs after our current group of students graduate this November.
But this is not the end.
As we bring this ministry season to a close, I'm delighted to announce the beginning of a new, exciting season!
Our two adult sewing teachers, Professors Michel and Johnson, are teaming up to create their own 100% Haitian-owned and operated sewing school in Port-de-Paix!
This is such exciting news because it's exactly what we wanted when we started the ministry back in 2015. Our teachers have proven they're ready for this next season, and we’re thrilled for what lies ahead.
The Transition Plan
We plan to use the remaining funds from the ministry to do two main things:
1) Help kick-start the teachers’ new school
2) Provide enough funds for the teenage sewing program to continue until they graduate in 2026
If you’d like to help with either initiative, we'll accept donations through November 30, 2024, but will discontinue donations starting December 1. I'll email tax deduction receipts in January 2025.
Final thoughts
What a tremendous honor to see the Lord bring together faithful people from across the United States, and even other parts of the world, to accomplish His will in Northwest Haiti.
I can never thank you enough for supporting the ministry and the sewing students throughout the years. You have truly blessed us beyond belief.
As Psalm 126:3 declares, “The Lord has done great things for us, and we are filled with joy.”
Thank you again for being part of this incredible journey!
If you have any questions, please don't hesitate to reply to this email. We will continue sending this newsletter and updating social media through the end of this year.
With much gratitude,
Michelle Smith
P.S. If you’ve developed a heart for Haiti, please consider supporting our wonderful mission partners - Jody and Jose Castillo in Mole St. Nicolas and Larry and Diana Owen in Port-de-Paix. Both ministries are doing exceptional work in Haiti, and I know you will be blessed, just as I am, by partnering with them.