Heartbreaking News from Haiti Outreach Ministries

It is heartbreaking to see the images coming out of the communities of Repatriote and Terre Noire in Haiti’s capital, Port-au-Prince. The heavy rains and massive flooding that took place on June 3 and 4 have left some families with nothing — homes and belongings that literally washed away — and so many others picking up the pieces of what were already rudimentary shelters to begin with. Clothes, shoes, and beds are gone. Street vending supplies used to eke out a meager living have disappeared. Ten days later, there is still standing water in many places, despite days of Haitian sunshine. That’s how much rain descended on these communities.

PCEA Church Construction in Kenya — PCEA Ng’alalya Church Dedication

PCEA Ng’alalya Church was dedicated on June 4. The new church is located about 1.5 hours east of Kikuyu. It is a growing area and has a lot of potential. I can see them expanding in five years. In the meantime, we have helped them with a church where they can grow their capacity and members and do much on their own. The closest PCEA church is PCEA Bethany, the mother of Ng’alalya, which is 10 kilometers (more than five miles) away. This is too far for children and the elderly to walk.

Africa, Partnership, ProjectsThe Outreach FoundationJune 15, 2023PCEA Church Construction in Kenya, Kenya, PCEA

Extreme Flooding in Haiti

The heavy rains and floods that took place last weekend in Haiti tragically left 51 people dead, 140 people injured, and nearly 40,000 households affected. Thankfully our staff are accounted for and our campuses are ok, although the Repatriote primary school has been closed all week due to the area conditions. Pastor Leon Dorleans has been visiting some of the hardest hit areas and reports that nearly every house in Repatriote had standing water inside, reaching as high as 2-3 feet. Two of our school teachers lost their homes entirely.

Blessed School — Update

Believing that our students have the right to be active members of Lebanese society, Blessed has launched the “I Deserve, and I Can” project, affirming their right to work, earn money, and secure their futures. Blessed School already has many students working as caregivers and office assistants and in data entry and catering.

Knowing that music is a major part of their joy, Blessed School has performed at many big events with famous musicians and singers. A Christmas Medley was published in 2022, enjoy it here:

Middle East, Partnership, ProjectsThe Outreach FoundationJune 5, 2023Blessed School, Lebanon

Musalaha — May 2023 Update

Musalaha is a faith-based organization that teaches, trains and facilitates reconciliation, mainly between Israelis and Palestinians from diverse ethnic and religious backgrounds, but also international groups, based on biblical principles of peace, tolerance, and love. We recently received news about Musalaha from Executive Director Daniel Munayer:

Equipped with courage and strong faith in our reconciliation mission, the entire team has prospered in transforming 343 Israelis and Palestinians across the Land in 2022. Musalaha bridges antagonism through faith and by finding each other in joint, meaningful encounters.

Middle East, Partnership, ProjectsThe Outreach FoundationJune 2, 2023Musalaha, Israel, Palestine

Linda's Library — Gituamba Girls’ Secondary School in Kenya

Today we dedicated our fifth Linda’s Library. It was at Gituamba Girls’ Secondary School in Limuru. The occasion was moderated by the Moderator of Lari Presbytery, Rev. Karanga. The celebration was filled with dancing and singing by the girls along with many speeches.

Libraries take students to a new level of learning. They open up new worlds, new ideas, and new opportunities. Libraries positively affect language and reading skills and help to improve students’ grades.

Africa, Partnership, ProjectsThe Outreach FoundationJune 1, 2023Linda's Libraries, Stu and Linda Ross, Kenya, PCEA

PCEA Church Construction in Kenya — Dedication of PCEA Ol'Moran Church

The Presbyterian Church of East Africa (PCEA) and The Outreach Foundation have enjoyed many years of faithful partnership, building churches in East Africa. PCEA Ol’Moran was recently dedicated with great joy! Stu Ross sent the following news:

After much work and many struggles, the beautiful PCEA Ol’Moran Church was finally dedicated on April 2, 2023. It was worth the effort. The congregation was able to move from this dilapidated mud structure to their beautiful modern stone church. Their old structure could only seat 25 people and was dark with few windows and a mud floor.

Africa, Partnership, ProjectsThe Outreach FoundationMay 24, 2023PCEA Church Construction in Kenya, Kenya

Haiti Outreach Ministries — May 2023 Update

I am pleased to share that our programs in Haiti — the schools, the clinic, the water treatment sites, the churches - remain open and serve the communities, despite the backdrop of insecurity. Construction on the first phase of the Bible College at Espwa is also progressing, truly living up to its name as a campus of hope. Behind all of this work are Haitian staff members who are committed to creating a better tomorrow for their country. I recently asked if they would share — in their own words — what life right now is like, what they want you to know about Haiti today, and how you can specifically offer prayers.

Latin America, Partnership, ProjectsThe Outreach FoundationMay 23, 2023Haiti Outreach Ministries, Haiti

New Church Development in Egypt — May 2023 Update

The Outreach Foundation works closely with Egypt's Pastoral and Outreach Ministries Council of the Synod of the Nile (POMC). The vision of the POMC is to disseminate the gospel in locations where God's Word can be planted, multiply, and bear fruit so that everyone can hear the good news of Jesus Christ. POMC’s Marina Wagdy writes:

Haigazian University — May 2023 Update

Haigazian University is part of the multicultural mosaic that is Beirut, serving students of diverse backgrounds, preparing them to face 21st-century challenges, as they serve in their communities. It intentionally draws in students from lower economic communities and seeks to prepare them for careers that emphasize service and leadership such as teaching, social work, and management.

Middle East, Partnership, ProjectsThe Outreach FoundationMay 18, 2023Haigazian University, Lebanon

Ukraine Appeal — Small Congregations, Large Footprint

In the opening days of the war in Ukraine, Pastor Valeriy Milinin and his family were in their home listening to air raid sirens, but there was no bomb shelter in the village. Their village is in Chernihiv Oblast (region), an area 90 miles north of Kyiv and 50 miles south of the Belarusian border. It was among the areas first attacked by Russian troops.

Europe, Partnership, ProjectsThe Outreach FoundationMay 16, 2023Ukraine, Ukraine Appeal

Together for the Family — May 2023 Update

Together for the Family’s Executive Director Izdihar Kassis recently shared this news:

Together for the Family currently serves more than 1,700 families who were affected by February’s earthquake. During our visits to devastated areas in Aleppo and Latakia, we noticed that many children have no shoes or toys. So, in addition to providing food and blankets, we decided to provide them with shoes and toys! It was also a great time to share and pray with children and adults.

Middle East, Partnership, ProjectsThe Outreach FoundationMay 15, 2023Together for the Family, Lebanon, Syria

Devastating Floods in Rwanda

Rwanda recently experienced severe flooding which has caused extensive damage to homes and properties, leaving many families without basic necessities. These families are in desperate need of assistance. The Presbyterian Church in Rwanda (EPR) is reaching out to request support in helping these families during their time of need.

PCEA Church Construction in Kenya — Dedication of PCEA Ndigu-Ini Church

Through years of faithful partnership, the Presbyterian Church of East Africa (PCEA) and The Outreach Foundation have built many churches in East Africa. Outreach East Africa Mission Consultant Stu Ross recently sent this joyful news about a recent church dedication:

This Ndigu-Ini congregation was started in 1992 when members from the area felt their walk to their church was too far, especially for the elderly and the very young. They organized themselves and worshipped in an open field on the chief’s homestead.

Africa, Partnership, ProjectsThe Outreach FoundationMay 9, 2023PCEA Church Construction in Kenya, PCEA, Kenya

Pars Theological Center — May 2023 Update

Pars Student Spotlight

Reza became a Christian in 2004 when he learned about Jesus through his father. When his father initially shared the Gospel with him, Reza rejected it. However, he did not want to ignore his father, so he decided to do some more of his own research. He wanted to compare and contrast the Bible with the Koran. This took him about a year, and during this time of seeking, Reza had a dream. In his dream, there were two groups of angels, and they were singing, “Arise, this is the time to worship Jesus.” Jesus was standing between these two groups of angels. He reached out his hand and invited Reza to worship. Reza woke up from this dream with peace in his heart that Jesus is the true way.

Rebuilding Hope among Refugees in Africa

The Outreach Foundation works closely with the Pastoral and Outreach Ministries Council of the Synod of the Nile in Egypt (POMC). Rev. Manassa Nesem serves as the Executive Manager of POMC and shared the following information about how refugees in Sudan are being aided by brothers and sisters in Egypt:

Political conflicts erupted over the reigns of power in northern Sudan between two leaders of the Sudanese army, which led to an increase in the frequency of skirmishes and resulted in a fierce internal war. These conflicts started on April 15 and continue. The repercussions of these events have created problems in all aspects of life in northern Sudan. As a result, there is a lack of food, water, and means of communication; moreover, several reports have included a large number of civilian deaths.

Outreach welcomes Shapoor Ahmadi to the Franklin Office

It was an honor to welcome Shapoor Ahmadi to the Outreach office in Franklin, TN today. Shapoor fled from Iran when he was 22 years old. He sought asylum in England and waited for two years for his case to be heard. He was provided a one-room apartment and 35 pounds ($45/month for all living expenses). He could not work during this time. He knew no one and had to wait for his case to be processed. At the end of the two years, his case was denied. Shapoor appealed and waited another two years. By the grace of God, his case was overturned.

Middle East, Partnership, ProjectsThe Outreach FoundationMay 3, 2023Iranian Diaspora, Liverpool, U.K.

Middle East Earthquake Relief — May 2023 Update

On February 6, 2023, the world woke to the news of a devastating earthquake in Syria and Turkey. We all watched reports from the field indicating the region was in dire need of help. The Outreach Foundation responded quickly (within 24 hours) by establishing the Middle East Earthquake Relief Appeal which has generated widespread support from our donor base.

Partner Updates