Kanaval

Carnival, Kanaval in Haitian Creole, is Haiti's biggest celebration that shows off the vibrance, diversity, and sense of community among Haitians. People of all ages with painted faces and brightly colored costumes fill the streets to dance or join a parade. Festivities start around the beginning of February and last until Fat Tuesday.

(Left) St. Barthélémy students

This tradition began in Port au Prince in 1804 as a way for Haitians to celebrate their independence, and now the nation hosts one of the largest Mardi Gras Carnivals in the Caribbean and North America. 216 years later, Carnival continues to be a symbol of resilience and determination in the face of struggle.

Bethlehem Ministry wants to bring a taste of Haiti to you, so we're planning our very own Carnival in 2021! We'll have live music, games, costumes, dancing, Haitian cuisine, and more. Stay tuned for more information.

Interested in attending or volunteering for this event?

Contact KristenPace@BethlehemMinistry.org

Carnival in Cap-Haïtien 2020

(Pictures by Antonio Bruno)

Staff Spotlight

Hi there! I'm Julie Phillips, Administrator for Bethlehem Ministry. You might recognize my name from sponsorship renewals and donation receipt letters. I wear many hats for Bethlehem Ministry - from managing the sponsorship program and keeping ministry financials in order to maintaining our website, helping create our newsletters, and serving on the Resource Development Committee. It has been a privilege to serve you and the people in Haiti in this capacity.

I became involved with Bethlehem Ministry in 2008 while attending a Bible study group at St. Gregory the Great Episcopal Church with Berry Rice, one of the founders of Bethlehem Ministry. I loved hearing her stories of her travels to Haiti and the exciting work she and her husband, Peter, were doing there. When I learned that Peter needed help with some administrative work for the ministry, I jumped at the chance. It felt like a blessing falling in my lap! I began working for Bethlehem Ministry in 2008 and traveled to Haiti in 2009 to see the work firsthand. It was on that trip that I first met Rich Wheeler who would one day serve as the President of our Board! I was stunned by the beauty, culture, and joy I found in Haiti. There was, and is, staggering poverty, but I left with an impression of love, perseverance, and faith.

So much has changed with the ministry over the past 11 years. We have grown, and continue to grow, in the ways that we serve Haiti. Board members have come and gone, and a wonderful new Executive Director is in place. But one thing that has been a constant throughout my years with Bethlehem Ministry is our shared belief that together we can make a difference in Haiti. We are empowering Haitians every day to write a new story for their lives and their country. I am so blessed to be part of this work. Thank you for working alongside me.

-Julie Phillips

Espérance et Vie

I will say of the LORD, “He is my refuge and my fortress, my God, in whom I trust.” Psalms 91:2

I want to start by expressing my gratitude for the love and financial support that was given to us during the past year when we were facing great turmoil in my country. May the Lord continue to bless you.

Although 2019 was marked by a great deal of unrest caused by political turmoil, scarcity of food, road blockages, unsafe travels, shortage of money circulation, and devaluation of the Haitian currency, our school kept its doors open. In Terrier Rouge, all schools were closed for a month with the exception of Saint Barthelemy. We set the example. We are currently educating and nurturing 1,100 children and employing 100 people - teachers, administrators, and support staff, including cooks and gardeners, and we have improved our curriculum with the arrival of a new Director of Studies for the secondary school. It has become a tradition of excellence that our 9th and 13th grade students achieve high marks on their official exams.

Although limited by the situation in the country, our marching band continues to perform locally on many occasions. Our students have been interacting with students from other schools in the town by playing sports together or performing in theater, literature contests, and liberal arts. We are also proud to announce that our students played a predominant role in the packing and distribution of food to our needy brothers and sisters in different places around Terrier Rouge. We are training them for the future to be great leaders and citizens of the country.

The whole school gives thanks to the Lord every single day for the work of education happening in Terrier Rouge and the surrounding communities and the support received from Bethlehem Ministry.

In His Name,

JMB+