Looking down the road, we are excited that the International School of Theology (IST) will soon begin its sixth year of training gospel preachers and teachers of God’s word. Our students, teachers, directors and alumni continue to reach the lost with the message of salvation. We now have students in several parts of Haiti, Dominican Republic and Brazil. Even during the closedown due to Covid-19, souls are being saved. Troubled times also bring open doors to reach the lost world with the saving message of Jesus the Christ.
We have canceled classes for the rest of this school year at IST. According to WORLDOMETER, Haiti has reported only 44 cases of the coronavirus with only three deaths. Haiti has the lowest number of reported cases in the countries of the western Hampshire. I hope this is the truth, but I must say, I have my doubts. This could be because most of the people have had malaria and have taken medication for it. Most people in Haiti live in areas that are difficult to reach for testing and the hospitals are limited in services. While the government has told people to stay home, this is difficult to do for more than one or two days. Most people have no way for refrigerating food, so they live from day to day. They cook their food on charcoal and must go daily to get provisions. With the schools closed, the children are at home and not able to find food. Many of the children are fed through food programs operated by churches or schools.
So far, all our students are clear of the Coronavirus. The teachers and the students are ready to go back to school, but the government will not allow schools to open. As our directors have said, “God is in control and will use this to His glory, as he did the earthquake of 2010.” Our directors, brothers Felix and Beaubrun, and our teachers continue to stay in contact with the students. Please pray for the International School of Theology – Haiti. Pray for the government and the people of Haiti. Pray for open doors that the gospel may move forward. We give God the glory for all that is done.
Larry Waymire