Dear Supporters of TeamOne27 and Divine Ministries in Hope for Children:
It has been too long since we sent out an update. You may have heard the expression “Nothing changes in Haiti except the date on the calendar.” Not true, but progress is painfully slow; even evasive. But we have seen progress in a few key areas:
1. JetBlue is currently at work creating an expanded runway and terminal facility in the Les Cayes area that will handle international flights from the USA, completely avoiding the
gang-controlled area of Port-au-Prince.
2. A seaport terminal that was opened in January 2025 in the Les Cayes area also helps
reduce the negative economic impact Haitian gangs have had for years over the country.
3. The water pump system we replaced at the end of 2024 is working properly; providing
safe, treated water for drinking and bathing at our compound.
4. The pigs, chickens, and cows donated years ago continue to produce food and saleable
next generations that help feed the children and staff at our compound.
5. An organization called Faith Comes by Hearing has provided fifty units called
proclaimers to help train pastors and other believers in the churches Pastor Daniel Jean
has been assisting. We are currently working on getting them safely into the hands of
those for whom they are intended.
6. Our children are all attending school, while school children in many other parts of Haiti
cannot safely continue schooling this year due to the gang activity.
7. The Gospel is being freely proclaimed, and churches are growing rapidly. Twenty-five
new believers attending our Les Cayes church were baptized the day before Easter.

 

There is a way to fly into Haiti now via an airline based in Haiti, though no major international airlines have resumed service to Haiti. The cost is exorbitant, and safety is still a question, along with questionable service. It seems wise to wait until major airlines resume their service to Haiti and/or the US government reduces their risk assessment down from the current Level 4.
We are able to get all monetary donations to Daniel Jean expeditiously via wire transfers and a bank account that offers ATM access, though ATM’s are often out of service. Pastor Daniel does have access to the funds sent to his bank even when ATM’s are down, so he can purchase the food and other supplies needed to run Divine Ministries in Hope for Children.
The troops in Haiti from Kenya, along with additional troops from Jamaica, have been trying to help Haitian police regain control of Haiti from the hands of the gangs who currently run the country, but have so far been largely unsuccessful. The temporary Haitian transitional government team has the task of eliminating gang control and conducting a democratic election by November of this year. Please pray for their success and the safety of all those who live in Haiti.

 

School fees and expenses continue throughout the school year in the form of tuition paid in installments, school supplies, transportation and exam fees. Though the young K-5 children are educated at our facility, we have several older students who travel outside our compound to schools that provide higher levels of learning.
Priorities:
1. Finish the building in Les Cayes started in 2023. Approximate cost $ 50,000
2. Pay for teachers at our school $ 1500 per month
3. Ongoing school fees of approximately $ 500 per month
4. Food program for children outside our compound who attend our school, many who
arrive hungry each day due to widespread poverty, $ 1,000 per month

 

If you want to contribute to meet the needs of the children and staff at Divine Ministries, we have a PayPal link on our website at www.TeamOne27.org, or you can mail a check payable to TeamOne27 to our PO Box 78 in Wernersville, PA 19565. TeamOne27 has no paid employees in the USA, so every penny donated goes directly to Divine Ministries in Haiti.
The children and staff at Divine Ministries in Hope for Children send their deep-felt thanks and appreciation for your continued love and support which makes it possible for them to survive the severe conditions they face every day in Haiti.

 

Sincerely,
Mark Gillette, TeamOne27