Responding to COVID-19

Greetings to all of you from Terrier Rouge. With the Lord's grace we are all in good health. We are full of energy to do His work. 

Two weeks ago the government decided to close the schools, reduce some activities, confine people in their homes, impose a curfew from 8PM to 5 AM. They do not allow gatherings of more than 10 people. Those measures are more or less what every country is taken to control the spread of the COVID-19.  But in Haiti those measures, although very important, put more burden on the poor people whose activities are on the streets in search for their daily bread. Some of our open public markets are not allowed to function. Today the biggest open market which serves almost the whole North will be closed. 

The prices of goods are reaching the sky and some of the products are becoming delicacies. But anyway we are surviving with God's help.

At Saint Barthélémy, we concentrate on helping our brothers and sisters in needs. We do not stop working. We are using the individual approach, we go from door to door to deliver the food to the people. Our volunteers work hard to do so. In two days we gave food to 300 households. Today we are going to Phaeton and Paulette. Tomorrow will be Grand basin's turn along with our neighborhood and other places in Terrier Rouge. Families in Patrico received already 130 bags of rice, pasta and oil. 

We also add to our distribution soap for the people to wash their hands as one of the measures of  prevention. Some of our volunteers take that opportunity to talk about the danger of the corona virus and the way to prevent it.

For the time been we are in good shape. The Lord is taking good care of us. We keep you in our daily prayers as you have to deal also with the corona virus epidemic.

In His name,

JMB+

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