Tracts in Haiti are very effective. Almost no one reads for enjoyment because of lack of books, but these little scripture books are a big deal!
We hope you are doing well during this present coronavirus time and that everyone is healthy.
Our 2020! Outreaches have been going very well! We’ve seen 37 people saved, many people healed, several who committed to be baptized, and we have distributed thousands of tracts and Bible study booklets to people plus given scores of Bibles to churches! The people in these very remote places are so, so very thankful to receive the Word of God printed in their language! Our next evangelism trip is planned for March 28 through April 8. The Haitian government has announced no cases of the coronavirus in Haiti as of this weekend, so we are praising the Lord for that. They are allowing US passengers to enter the country although proof of a negative test result is required.
The Gospel for Haiti board and the government of Haiti has approved moving forward with starting a school in Tinot. We will be working on building requirements and needs, and the Haitian leaders will be managing the teachers and the day-to-day school responsibilities of teaching the kids. This will be their school organization on our GFH property with our blessing. We will seek to sponsor kids to go there who are in great need. The school will hold classes at the Freedom Center, where we will add four classrooms to the existing building this summer. The school will teach kids from ages 4-10. We are budgeting $10,000 total for the building expansion and outfitting (furniture and typical supplies of chalkboards and other necessities.) These classrooms will also be used for the church as the church continues to grow. (Right now, one of the church’s classes meets outside.) Back here in Missouri, some men gathered this past weekend, welding and shaping metal to be used for bench/desks for the kids (and for seating for the church members, as well!). These improvements to the community give a huge boost in morale and certainly change the community’s view on how God is improving their lives (blessing them!) as they follow Him. This schooling, basically discipleship for the younger generation, is going to make the biggest difference (next to salvation) in the ongoing change of perspective that the Haitian people need! We will change this area with God’s help by being the first (Christian) school within a mile or more in any direction! (Since there are no buses that transport kids to school and no families in our area have vehicles to take them, even the youngest kids end up walking a long way to get to and from school!)
Our family plans to return to Haiti at the beginning of May for 10 weeks. As you well know, traveling can be a little bit tenuous during these coronavirus days. No matter what, God always gets His way! Since we believe the Lord wants us there, please pray with us that we won't be hindered in travel. Anytime the family travels, the expenses quadruple -- but so does the effectiveness! As we go in May, we will be transporting about 1,500 pounds worth of shoes, shirts, school equipment, and other stuff! This boost makes a big difference in the lives of the poorest of the poor. Praise God for what He is doing, not only in changing the country through salvations but also through kindness expressed in giving to help the people in Tinot and beyond! Please remember to keep us in your prayers!
‘Til the whole world hears,
The Tonsings
Darrell, Christina, Josiah, & Micah Tonsing