To The Least Of These came to life in September 27, 2008. The school door opened in January 2009 with two teachers and about 15 students. By 2017 we outgrew our third location, and about 120 young people were attending church every Sabbath. Many of them were already baptized. I had to close the school at the end of that school year because the amount of money to lease another place was more than we could afford and did not really meet our needs.

I bought that piece of land in 2017. Total price for the land $45,000. About $400,000 have been spent in order to bring the place where it is now. It will take another $60k to finish it. Mostly electrical and plastering. The school was reopened in January 2022 with about 50 students. Now, December 2023, we have 240 students attending the school from kindergarten to seventh grade. We have a school principal, 8 teachers plus one assistant teacher.

Thanks be to God I am doing well. Challenges are all around as always, now, and then I reread some chapters of Nehemiah and Ezra. I am greatly impressed by their passion and zeal for God's work. Last Sabbath I preached on 2 Chronicles 1:1-12. Verse 7 says "In that night did God appear unto Solomon, and said unto him, Ask what I shall give thee." Wow! When the heart is right, God will do above and beyond for His children.

One time I heard the story about a submarine that went down. As those on the outside were making plans on how to save those guys inside from impending death, they could hear knocking on the wall of the sub translating "Is there any hope?" This is the question most Haitian people are asking "Is there any hope?" There are no signs of hope here. Everyone is looking for a way out. There's an SDA brother who lives about 20 miles from where I am, very active in the church, he possesses quite a few acres of lands. He's between 70 to 75 years old. Most of his lands are now under territories that are under the control of the regional gangsters. At this moment he's about to leave Haiti. The flea markets where people used to gather from all over the region are empty. The city of Saint Marc where I am located is not yet under the control of the regional gangsters, only God knows for how long. Once those tugs move in no more church or school. The saddest part is the few police that are left most of them have deal with those tugs.

Once upon a time the white person was their prime target, now there's no more white people. That's why people like me are their main target now. I rarely go out. People here think that I am crazy to stay in the country. The pressures from my family members for me to get out are at times unbearable. I already told them not to negotiate but pray if anything should happen to me. Many times those tugs will take the money, yet kill the person. I refrain from sending you pictures of how wicked human heart can be. Believe me, it's disgusting. Raping of the women is play games for them. Saint Marc is very fragile at this moment.

In any case, I dare not retreat. Onward Christian Soldiers that is the song of the day. We're not yet in the little time of trouble, but I can tell you base on what is going on here, it's not going to be easy. People who used to live comfortable life in their villages are begging for food in the city or decide to live a life of prostitution in order to survive. Petitions for help are driving me crazy. I tell them that I have no money, no one believes me.

At this moment the main priority is #1 helping the students to get the books required for their classes. This school is only for those who want to learn. Many of our students want to learn but have not the materials needed. #2 to feed them ( that can be very costly) I tried it before. To feed 240 students is going to cost about $100US/day. #3 finish inside of the sanctuary. At this moment we worship every sabbath on the first floor. That space can only take about 150 people. The sanctuary is on the second floor. We would have like to use it for worship 3 times a week during school days. Monday and Wednesday morning, Friday at the end of the school week. There's quite a bit of work that needs to be done to get to this goal. We use it occasionally, but it's far from being ready. Electricity. Plastering. Benches. Doors and windows, occasionally when it rains the wind blew the water inside. To get the sanctuary ready will cost between 20 to 25k. I will send a short video today. I love you my brother/sister Garcia. Thank you for being God's hands to help/make a difference in the life of the least of these.

Forgot to say that I do not get paid. No salary for myself. I got food to eat and a place to sleep. I'm happy with that. Fully committed.

Have a blessed day.  Take care.

Sincerely

Jack