Updates from Haiti
Sister Ministry Gang Report
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April 2024 Update
Mark Gillette, TeamOne27
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Jan 2023
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Sept 22 Newsletter
students that have switched to our school since the August 2021 earthquake that destroyed so many other schools in the Les Cayes countryside. Daniel estimates the need for 20 such benches at a cost of $80 each ($1,600).
school each day. On an ongoing basis that would require additional funds for the food and its preparation. Initially, a propane stove is needed for the school to prepare the food. The current cost of an appropriate stove would be $750.
as it provides transportation in the event of any child or staff member who is sick or injured.
all ports early last year to vehicles filled with any food or other supplies because they feared the influx of armament and ammunition. They have only accepted empty vehicles since Easter of 2021. That has severely limited the availability of food and other essential supplies that NGO’s (non-government organizations) have routinely sent to help the hurting in Haiti. This limited the business at depots to the extent that the government eventually closed the ports in both St Marc and Port-au-Prince. The government has reopened the port in P-au-P and will now accept containers (though still not trucks) of goods because it is possible to palletize the goods being shipped for easy off-loading
from the containers for inspection prior to its release into the country. Finally!
Mark Gillette
TeamOne27
P.S. Thanks to all who responded to our request for financial report just last week – $2000 was received in just a few days toward these identified needs!
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May ’22 Update
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April ’22 Update
Bon swa Team One:27 Supporters: April 2022
The big excitement for us this week is the week long evangelistic crusade we are holding in Port-au-Prince right in the street between our girl’s and boy’s houses in Diquini, Carrefour. We have rented staging, lights, a HUGE sound system, all manned by professionals, and are involving participants from many local churches to reach out to the Lost with the Good News of the Gospel. Tonight will be the sixth night of the eight night event. So far, over 20 young people have made a decision to surrender their life to Christ and many more have received healing from their physical infirmities. Each night there is joyful music and worship prior to the Biblical teaching. Hundreds jamb the street in celebration of all God has done for them and neighbors and passersby can’t help but get touched by the excitement and clear messages of the free gift of salvation offered to all.
Gang activity has been greatly reduced by the combined actions of local police of several municipalities who have joined forces to confront the gangs. Many gang leaders have been killed and their followers jailed in this targeted action north and west of Port-au-Prince. The gangs who have terrorized the Martissant District, which separates our area from downtown P-au-P and the airport have yet to be addressed, but they have grown quiet in anticipation of the confrontation planned for the near future.
Food prices continue to soar, and the largely inactive Haitian government has yet to rescind the ban that the former (assassinated) president had put in place that severely limited shipments of supplies into the country for fear vehicles and containers might contain firearms or ammunition. We have a truck with over four tons of desperately needed food items that still sits in Pennsylvania awaiting the lifting of this restriction. The government has continually said the lifting of this ban is imminent, but it has yet to take effect. Please agree with us in prayer that the ban will be eliminated very soon. We could easily fill a second truck or school bus with the supplies we have been accumulating since the ban was put in place last Spring.
We were blessed with a very favorable rental agreement on a large property for our girls’ house, directly across the street from our boys’ house here in P-au-P. The building is roomy and offers exercise and play areas that are easily accessible to all our children and local staff. We will be welcoming ten new children next week: four from Jacmel and six from Jeremie, which was devastated by last August’s series of earthquakes. We need to purchase ten more beds for $100 each and an additional ten mattresses for $45 each. If you can help, it would be greatly appreciated.
Other needs include a freezer for the girl’s house so we can buy chicken in bulk at more favorable prices. We need to replace the freezer that has served us so well for several years but has “died,” with this new, more efficient unit at a cost of $450. Also, we have built an additional three rooms at our Les Cayes compound for storage and housing that need a roof to cover all three rooms. Projected cost $3.500.
God has been opening new doors for us as the older children finish high school and additional training in a trade of their choice; equipped to leave Divine Ministries and take their place in the world beyond Divine Ministries. Their ongoing commitment includes supporting the children who come behind them and tithing to the local church, as well as repaying the no interest loan that paid for specific training in their chosen field. There is no lack of children who need a helping hand to guide them through their early years and provide a safe environment that will meet their needs for food, clothing, shelter and education, as well as discipling in their walk with Christ.
Our school in Les Cayes continues to offer extremely low-cost schooling to many local children that otherwise could never afford a formal education; not free, but based on whatever is reasonable for the individual families. Along with the schooling we are able to offer solar-powered purified water to the surrounding community at a nominal charge thanks to a generous, Pittsburgh, PA-based ministry that provided and maintains the water system.
We are so thankful for your faithful prayer and financial support that God has been honoring in ways that bless the children and staff at Divine Ministries as well as the communities that surround our various locations. We look forward to working together to continue to meet the many needs here in Haiti. If your church, your family, or organization is interested in helping with any of these projects or sending a work team here to work alongside our Haitian brothers and sisters, please contact me and we will help you organize and complete your project.
May God continue to bless you mightily as you partner with Him to reach the Lost for Christ.
Sincerely,
Mark Gillette, Team One:27
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February 2022 Newsletter
Re-Connecting with Haiti
TeamOne27 has continued our work in Haiti from a distance… we have been unable to visit the troubled nation since July 2021, primarily due to gang violence and control of the city of Port au Prince.
Brudda’ Mark Gillette has just returned from his first visit since then and was able to see first-hand the ongoing work of Divine Ministries in Hope for Children as led by Pastor Daniel Jean.
Gangs Still Causing Havoc!
Key segments of Port au Prince are still under gang control – the usual trip “across town” now requires a 4-5 hour journey into high lands and over rough roads – a 4 wheel-drive vehicle is a “must have”.
The threat and danger of kidnapping is ever present but God continues to be “ever-present-er” – and faithful to care for His children!
Further Earthquakes
Before clean-up from one earthquake is completed, another occurs!
The magnitude 7.2 earthquake in August 2021 did much damage and had residents fearful of sleeping in buildings… just a few weeks ago, magnitude 5.3 and 5.1 earthquakes struck just an hour apart in the same general region along the southern “arm” of the island!
Even So…
Yes, we need to stay aware and alert… but we cannot shrink from the work that needs to be done… When our eyes and hearts are open, we see God’s hand at every turn!
LIVESTOCK: Chickens, pigs and a cow have been “producing” in Les Cayes, helping to furnish food and income!
More detail is in Mark’s most recent email update – if you did not receive this, please let us know; we’re working hard to keep “our team” informed – so glad that you are a part of it!
Current & Specific Needs
In addition to the normal, on-going expenses of operating houses & schools, feeding the children, and paying our staff & for medical care (please see https://teamone27.org/budget-goals/ – annual budget of approximately $150,000), there are always significant projects that present themselves…
Solar Power: A large solar panel was destroyed in the August 17th earthquake; the related equipment is also in need of updates/upgrades. The system provides power for the compound including a water purification system which is a certain need for a healthy community. Repair estimate is $1,000 USD.

We recognize that it is all God’s work and that He will supply what is needed – these details are provided so you can pray specifically & intentionally about the needs and seek God’s direction on whether there is a role for you in meeting them.
Note: Most donors/partners give to our general budget which is used according to the priorities that Pastor Daniel Jean faces at the moment. Any designated donations are, of course, directed to the needs identified by the donor; however, if the designated need has been met through other donations, “excess” funds will be treated as undesignated and directed to the next priority. We trust this is an acceptable approach to our partners.
We welcome your prayers and financial support and are grateful for your partnership and concern for the work in Haiti.
Our Contact Information
TeamOne27
P.O. Box 78
Wernersville, PA 19565
(610) 451-1996
Web: teamone27.org
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