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.
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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.

Branch Lutheran Schools of Haiti's mission includes 4 goals that emphasize a Christ-centered, holistic approach to serving the children in Haiti. In this series, we'll look at how each goal can be seen in the past year at Branch Schools.

Goal #1: Provide Lutheran education and nutrition for orphans and other under-served children in Haiti.

Since Branch Schools' beginning in 2015, providing an education built on God's Word and support for health and wellbeing have been at the forefront of the schools in Haiti. To find more details on how Branch Schools is combatting these spiritual and physical challenges, see the comparison below.

In the 2020-21 school year, many physical blessings came to Branch Schools. Yvette's orphanage and school continued to grow in enrollment, creating a need for an expanded water cistern in the fall. New solar panels were installed in the spring at Yvette's facility to bring reliable light and power. Branch Schools was granted WELS Affiliate status in October 2020, and had incredible donor support throughout a challenging year of social unrest in Haiti and COVID-19. Along with many other joys in this past year, we praise and thank God for these blessings on the work being done in Haiti!

To answer that question in a quick sentence: Branch Schools provides money every month to cover the operating costs of four Lutheran schools in Haiti.
More specifically, the funding we send goes towards the salaries for 30+ teachers, 4 directors, and a superintendent, nutritious snacks for the students and food for the orphans, school uniforms and supplies for the orphans, special projects, and more. This chart highlights a few of the monthly costs, but these amounts represent so much more than just numbers. For the students attending Branch Schools, when these costs are funded, it means another day of learning in their classes, another day of nutrition, and another day of hearing God's Word.
Please don't hesitate to contact us with any questions about the funding to Haiti!

Branch Schools was invited to attend the Dodge/Washington Lutheran Women's Mission Society rally on April 17th in Slinger, Wisconsin, and delivered a presentation to an audience of 100 people. This presentation shared the history of Haiti and information about the Vodou religion, as well as background on the WELS involvement and founding of Branch Schools, and the current operations and ministry.

Branch Schools was represented by Lee and Linda Petersen (Chair of the Board and Special Projects Coordinator), Emily and Caleb Helmen (Development Coordinator and volunteer), and Mike Nichols (board member). Attendees were able to ask questions, visit a table of information, and take home brochures, magnets, business cards, and more.

This rally was the first public event for Branch Schools since 2019, due to the COVID-19 pandemic. We are incredibly excited to begin visiting churches, schools, and rallies again to share the wonderful story of Branch Schools! Thank you to the LWMS rally for the invitation and for providing an excellent space to present.

The powerful message of God's hand at Branch Schools reached the hearts of those in attendance, and the rally raised over $1,000 for the vital work in Haiti. Praise be to God!​