Branch Schools is beginning a new blog series this spring to take a closer look at some of the Bible verses used in past newsletters, posts on Facebook, and more. Read on to learn more about these verses, why they were chosen, and what they mean to Branch Schools!

1 Corinthians 16:14 - "Let all that you do be done in love."

This verse from 1 Corinthians was shared on Facebook this past Valentine's Day. While this verse has a great link to Valentine's Day itself, its connection to Branch Schools doesn't end there. What does this verse mean to us during the rest of the year?

The Bible speaks often and highly of love–both God's love for us and how we should love our neighbors. Jesus says in John 13:35: "By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another." At Branch Schools, our mission is to "make disciples who make disciples"--that is, to build up the next generation to be able to continue spreading God's Word, and God's love, across the world.

In Haiti, vodou practices and beliefs are pervasive throughout the entire culture, and directly oppose Christianity. Vodou teaches that there is a god who is very distant and removed from the people. As a result, fear is a common principle in vodou. As Lutherans, we understand God to be forgiving and loving, even as He is perfect and just. He desires to bring us close to Him, but our sinfulness cannot approach His holy presence. So, God sent Jesus to take our punishment–and our sins–and give us His own righteousness to wear in God's presence. We do not have to fear for our souls; in fact, we can look ahead to an eternity in heaven with God Himself.

Because vodou and Christian teachings are in opposition, it is difficult for Christians to practice openly. In October 2021, Branch Schools shared the troubling story from Haiti of 17 Christian missionaries who were kidnapped. In April 2021, an armed gang broke into a worship service, which was being live-streamed, and abducted the pastor and several churchgoers. These heartbreaking events are, unfortunately, not isolated; kidnappings and threats towards Christians remain common to this day.

1 Corinthians 16:14 is one of several directions given by Paul. In verse 13, he also instructs us to "Be on your guard; stand firm in the faith; be courageous; be strong." These words are encouraging and bolstering to Branch Schools, especially in the turmoil of the political and economical situation in Haiti. Even as persecution of Christianity continues to rise, Branch Schools has stood firm under God's protecting hand.

Thanks be to God, who has blessed Branch Schools with a wonderful reputation throughout the surrounding areas of the schools in Haiti: Smyrne, Carrefour, Leogane, Pilate, and Les Palmes. Branch Schools has truly enjoyed being an integral member of these communities and is thrilled to be able to share the light of God's Word in a culture darkened by vodou. Church services are held at the facilities in the Port-au-Prince area schools; in 2020, attendance at these services reached over 400 people!

This high regard from the community comes, in part, from the quality of education the students receive. The teachers' love for the students is evident in the great care they take in the classrooms. One six-grader, Milot, said "the teachers teach very well. They carry out the activities with care." We are so grateful for the wonderful faculty and staff across all of Branch Schools who are a beacon of love to their students.

The love from all the donors who support Branch Schools floods Haiti in the light of God's Word. Thank you for helping us "make disciples who make disciples" and reflect God's love!

We ask for your continued prayers that the persecution in Haiti may end and peace may spread over the country. In the midst of the chaos and danger that dominates news from Haiti, we remember Paul's words in 1 Corinthians 13:13: "And now these three remain: faith, hope and love. But the greatest of these is love."

4 Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud.
5 It does not dishonor others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs.
6 Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth.
7 It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres.
(1 Corinthians 13:4-7)

Branch Schools is beginning a new blog series this spring to take a closer look at some of the Bible verses used in past newsletters, posts on Facebook, and more. Read on to learn more about these verses, why they were chosen, and what they mean to Branch Schools!
 
Psalm 25:4 – “Show me your ways, Lord, teach me your paths.”
 
This verse is one of Branch Schools’ most recent; shared on Facebook at the beginning of Lent this March. It was the first in an ongoing weekly series to reflect on the Bible throughout this Lenten season. But why this particular verse?

Branch Schools faced numerous challenges and difficult decisions in 2021. One significant question occurred over the spring as the possibility arose of opening a fifth school. Branch Schools had been asked by a congregation in Les Palmes to open a preschool/kindergarten for the estimated 30 children at that age in the village. This was a great and exciting opportunity, but earthly insecurities brought uncertainty to the decision. Would Branch Schools have the financial ability to ensure the new school’s growth? Could a fifth school be supported without sacrificing anything at the existing four schools? Would there continue to be children to attend in the years to come?

These questions helped guide the discussion around this opportunity. It was important to Branch Schools that the responsibility to provide for the schools was considered very carefully, and that we examined how the many gifts given to us by God could best be used to serve His kingdom. Branch Schools prayed for wisdom to answer these questions, as well as continuing assurance to help remind us that God was in control. Since we know and trust in God’s grace, we are confident that He will provide even if we face earthly anxieties.
 
David wrote Psalm 25, along with several other psalms, in a time of hardship and uncertainty. Though we don’t have exact historical context for when David wrote this psalm, his words are a prayer of trust in God’s promises and a call for guidance. David faced many enemies during his time as king, and he continuously asked God to save and protect him and his people. Later in the psalm, we are assured that God does not leave our prayers unanswered: “The Lord confides in those who fear Him; He makes His covenant known to them” (Psalm 25:14). David takes solace in God’s plan, trusting in Him to make a way. He knows that God is willing to teach him His paths because He is merciful and forgiving of David’s sinfulness. “In you, Lord my God, I put my trust…my hope, Lord, is in you.” (Psalm 25:1,21)
 
After many discussions, plans, ideas, answers, and especially prayers, Branch Schools moved forward with the opening of the Les Palmes preschool/kindergarten. The school launched in fall 2021 with 40 young students, and we continue to be amazed and overjoyed at the blessings poured down on Les Palmes! This Lenten season, we can boldly ask God to show us His path for us because we know He gives us what is best for us. As we bring our sins before God and look eagerly ahead to the Easter resurrection, we pray again for God to teach us His ways, that His will be done, not ours.
 
20 Guard my life and rescue me;
    do not let me be put to shame,
    for I take refuge in you.
21 May integrity and uprightness protect me,
    because my hope, Lord, is in you.
(Psalm 25:20-21)

In the final part of this series, we will look at the fourth goal of Branch Schools, which focuses on the blessing of a family of believers at the schools in Haiti.

Goal #4: Grow Lutheran mission congregations at the schools that can expand into the neighborhoods.

​The chart below outlines the path that Branch Schools followed as the three Port-au-Prince orphanages and schools were established. The humanitarian needs arose in 2010 with the devastating 7.0 magnitude earthquake. This crisis created many physical needs for the orphans now at the Branch Schools orphanages, including shelter, food, water, and clothing. As these needs were addressed through the establishment of the orphanages, the next goal became education. Creating schools at the three orphanages to provide secular education helped prepare these orphans for their futures.

At the core of Branch Schools, however, is the spiritual education. The children learn Bible verses and the Catechism, and just this last June, 6 students publicly confessed their faith through confirmation! Growing naturally from this spiritual education is a nucleus of believers, found at all three Port-au-Prince orphanages and schools, the Pilate middle school, and now the Les Palmes pre-k/k school. The students from the neighboring areas bring home their workbooks, including their Catechism copies, and practice their memorized Bible verses with their parents, bringing God's Word into homes in the communities around the schools.

Along with the humanitarian needs being met at the orphanages and the spiritual and secular education provided at the five schools, Branch Schools is blessed to have church services every week to minister to this nucleus of believers. By the end of 2020, over 400 people attended these worship services, and we pray that this number will only rise!

As the nucleus of believers expands, we recall Jesus' words in the Great Commission: “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you." (Matthew 28:18-20). Thanks be to God for this amazing ministry at Branch Schools.

Branch Schools is overjoyed to have these congregations at the schools that we hope to continue growing into the neighborhoods and beyond. Thank you for your support to help us get there!

In Part 3 of this series, we will look at the third goal of Branch Schools, which focuses on the future of the students and orphanages at Branch Schools.

Goal #3: Provide vocational training to prepare and protect children who must leave the orphanage at age 18.

In May 2020, 23 treadle sewing machines made their way to Branch Schools after a lengthy shipping process. These sewing machines were donated by families across America, with an exciting purpose awaiting them in Haiti: they would be used to train the children at the orphanages in sewing and tailoring. Now, after school and on the weekend, the children push aside classroom tables and benches to make room for the sewing machines and learn their craft.

Spiritual Advisor to Branch Schools, Pastor Terry Schultz, shared his hope for the sewing institute when they arrived in Haiti:
"The idea behind our institutes is to use them as gospel outreach tools. Youths from the orphanages and from lower economic neighborhood families will be invited to study with us. The institutes will share Jesus while sharing an education that may provide youths with a way to generate some income. (In Haiti, over half the adult population lives on less than $2.41 a day.) The institute will be open for students to book time on the machines to complete sewing projects. (For example, every Haitian child attending school needs homemade school uniforms!) God willing, the sewing education will provide stimulus for the youths, discipline and focus, as well as that certain dignity that comes from studying hard and completing a job. Without this opportunity, almost none of the orphans and impoverished children at Branch Schools would have the resources to attend a learning institute."

In the last year, these sewing institutes have been a great blessing to Branch Schools. We are so thankful for the families who donated their treadle machines--a treasured possession in Haiti, due to these machines not needing electricity to operate.

May God bless these children at the sewing institutes, that they may study their craft diligently and continue to learn of Jesus' love and salvation as they work!

In Part 2 of this series, we will look at the second goal of Branch Schools, which focuses on the future of the Church in Haiti.
​
Goal #2: Identify children with potential to serve in ministry to be trained in the future by Pastor Rona Abraham.

Pastor Rona Abraham is the only WELS-trained pastor currently serving in Haiti. He leads several congregations across Haiti, including one in the village of Les Palmes, where the upcoming opening of the pre-k/k school will take place. Branch Schools communicates frequently with Pastor Rona as he visits the schools and provides valuable insight and updates on conditions in Haiti. We are so blessed to have his wonderful friendship!

In order for the Haitian National Lutheran Church to continue expanding in Haiti, more pastors are needed. Two young men, Schneider and Nozier, are currently learning from Pastor Rona, and Branch Schools has the pleasure of knowing both.

Schneider grew up at Yvette's orphanage, and recently conducted a confirmation service for 6 children also from Yvette's facility. He is now 20 years old and has completed his high school education, and is known for his infectious smile and enthusiasm for God's Word.

Nozier will be the head teacher at the Les Palmes pre-k/k school this fall, serving both the young children there and the village congregation. Both he and Schneider are learning as much as possible from Pastor Rona even as travel is difficult, utilizing video conferencing to continue studying while the violence and unrest rise.

Branch Schools looks forward eagerly to these two young men's future, and we thank and praise God for their hard work! Please keep Schneider and Nozier in your prayers as they prepare to share God's precious Word with many people in Haiti.

Pictured below: Schneider leading the confirmation service on June 6th, 2021.