On April 12th 18-year-old Bernardo’s struggle with a terminal illness ended. The only believer in a family that practices voodoo, Bernardo is now completely healed, and completely free.

Mia, a Valor Christian High School student who spent her spring break with Hope Rising in Haiti, heard about Bernardo. In talking with friends about his legacy she had this to say about this young man:

“I have begun to see things in a different way. I have been asking myself what it means to love God. The most real example I can come up with is Bernardo. I never met him, but he has challenged me to think about things in a different way. I thought about what it would be like to be completely stripped of everything, even the ability to speak for yourself; lying there, utterly hopeless. Who would you be in that circumstance? To love God in that moment, without any outside influence, would be to truly love God.”

Bernardo was stripped of any earthly luxury, born into poverty, born into illness. In this life he knew little comfort, but he did know Jesus. And despite all his adversity, at the end of his life he had deep peace, an understanding of his salvation in Christ and great hope in the promise of heaven.

As Hope Rising Haiti, www.GVCM.org, and local missionaries (www.newsongmission.com) all partner together to lift up Christ, He is bringing people to Himself. God is faithfully moving in the hearts of the people in Haiti, bringing them out of darkness and into His marvelous light. As Jesus is lifted up, children like Bernardo are being saved. Our hope is that Bernardo’s family will be inspired by their son’s life to love and follow Christ.

We pray that we would have the same fervor for Christ as Bernardo; that any infirmity or discomfort would only serve to advance the Gospel in our own hearts and communities. We pray that our sufferings would drive us deeper into the love of God, knowing this world is not our home.

Thank you for your faithful prayers and financial support to be a part of sharing Jesus with children like Bernardo.

How to Give

If you feel led to give you can give online at hoperisinghaiti.org/give. All gifts are tax deductible. Thank you for being a part of this important ministry. We are grateful for your prayers and partnership in reaching the lost and serving the least.