Prayer partners and supporters of the ministry,
“I thank my God every time I remember you. In all my prayers for all of you, I always pray with joy because of your partnership in the gospel from the first day until now”. (Philippians 1:3-5).
Please pray for Haiti!
It has been three weeks since Haiti has been facing a fuel shortage crisis. Almost all of the gas stations are closed. The few ones that are selling gas to a very limited amount are crowded with cars, motorcycles and people with five-gallon tanks trying to get gas, but in vain. Transportation, public and private stopped and the streets were empty. This situation has resulted in unrest throughout the main cities in Haiti. School and businesses are closed during the whole week. Roads were blocked and people were forced to stay at home.
The country has lived a very difficult year of political unrest. The opponents to the president are trying to force him out, but he refused to go. Every two months we had experienced some violent protests. The demonstrations are dangerous if you get close to them. We praise the Lord that everyone in the Churches are safe, though they suffer a lot from this situation.
Please continue to pray with us for wisdom and political stability in Haiti. Pray for peace, so that the Church may continue to meet and hear the Gospel, the only hope of this nation.
Baptism
Despite the difficult situation in Haiti, the Lord is building His Church. The Lord added two non-communicant members to the Church in Delmas in the Last three months. Both families baptized their first child. It was a time of Joy for these families and for the Church. It is a joy for us also to see parents understanding their role and take their responsibility seriously toward their children. What a wonderful testimony it is for these parents to bring these children faithfully to church and train them up in the way they should go to the glory of the Lord.
Upcoming Presbytery Formation
The Reformed missionaries and Churches in Haiti have been working on a plan for the establishment of a Presbytery and a new Reformed and Presbyterian denomination in Haiti since 2006. We were close to reach that goal in 2010 when the earthquake and other troubles happened. Finally, the plan for the formation of the Presbytery was set for September 19–20. Everything was planned and ready for us to meet. However, the recent fuel shortages and the unrest forced us in the last hour to postpone this important event again. It grieves our heart to ask the Church officers in Haiti and visitors coming from the US to stay away from Haiti during this time. Now we are planning to set new dates in December or January. We fixed our eyes upon the Lord in this difficult situation and we trust Him that He will lead His church and will continue to nurture her.
Please pray for the Reformed Church in Haiti and the church leaders as they minister to the churches during these days of ongoing protests and violence in the streets.
Vacation Bible School 2019
Vacation Bible school was held this year again. 180 children gathered in the Reformed Presbyterian Church of Delmas (Port-au-Prince) from August 12 to 16. The lessons of this year were focused on five I AM statements of Jesus in the Gospel of John. The first day they learn about the Light of the World, the second day, the Bread of Life, and the last three days they were taught on the Good Shepherd, the Resurrection and the Life, and the true Vine. For every day, they had a Bible lesson, a memory verse, some appropriate craft and songs. It was a fun and profitable time with the Children. Mrs. Hopp prepared the lessons and trained the youth to teach these lessons. We are thankful to the Lord for dedicated young people who used their time and talents in the service of the Master. Please pray that some of the children who attended VBS and heard the teaching of the Word may continue to attend the Church on Sundays and that they may come to know the Lord.
Upcoming Presbytery Formation
The Reformed missionaries and Churches in Haiti have been working on a plan for the establishment of a Presbytery and a new Reformed and Presbyterian denomination in Haiti since 2006. We were close to reach that goal in 2010 when the earthquake and other troubles happened. Finally, the plan for the formation of the Presbytery was set for September 19–20. Everything was planned and ready for us to meet. However, the recent fuel shortages and the unrest forced us in the last hour to postpone this important event again. It grieves our heart to ask the Church officers in Haiti and visitors coming from the US to stay away from Haiti during this time. Now we are planning to set new dates in December or January. We fixed our eyes upon the Lord in this difficult situation and we trust Him that He will lead His church and will continue to nurture her.
Please pray for the Reformed Church in Haiti and the church leaders as they minister to the churches during these days of ongoing protests and violence in the streets.
Prayer Requests
Brethren, pray for us... (1 Thessalonians 5:25)
- For Haiti as the country is facing a difficult political, economic and security situation. Pray for wisdom for the country’s leaders.
- For security for the Hopp family as they are ready to return to Haiti after their vacation in Florida.
- Praise the Lord for the preaching and teaching of the Gospel without any open opposition.
- For security for the missionaries and Haitian Church leaders as they continue to minister to the churches.
- For the success of the planning for the formation of the Presbytery in Haiti.
- For the training of men as elders and deacons in the churches of Port-au-Prince and la Gonave.
- That the church may continue to grow spiritually and numerically.
- For the church members to be focused on reading the Bible and sit regularly under the preaching and teaching of the Word.
- For the completion of our translation and publishing projects.
- For security and protection for church members as the political situation is unpredictable and is often dangerous.
Mailing Address for donations to the ministry:
Woodruff Road Presbyterian Church
Attn: RPC Haiti
2519 Woodruff Rd.
Simpsonville, SC 29681
Please make checks payable to WRPC with RPC Haiti on the memo line.
Pastor Octavius Delfils & his wife, Marie, along with their children, Farah and Carlens