From Vine Ministry to you, your family and friends a Very Merry Christmas and an exciting New Year, full of promise, blessing and rich abundance. Whether you are young or old, experienced or just starting out may the Peace that passes understanding cover you and live in you this Christmas season and New Year.

Haiti is in turmoil. Demonstrations have been occurring across Haiti in protest of the embezzlement of funds by powerful people. Haiti received $3.8 billion from Petrocaribe, a Venezuelan oil program, offered to Haiti with extremely lenient terms of repayment.  Money of this magnitude could help the people of Haiti. Yet there is little to no evidence of how this money was spent. The rising cost of living makes it impossible for the poor to pay for the basics of living. In the more populated regions there is starvation. Haitian money is worth even less than what it was when we were there in August. It is now 73.26 gourdes to 1 US dollar. 

A very small percentage of the population is violently protesting Traveling to work is very dangerous for everyone and it is not safe for children to attend school.

What the protesters want is for the use of this money to be investigated and the current president to step down.

Pastor Daniel Telfort asked us to pray for Haiti. On November 18, protestors took to the streets burning tires and coating parts of the street with oil. There were violent demonstrations resulting in possibly 11 deaths, 47 wounded and 75 arrested. These protests create fear. There was no official church service in Vine Church on Sunday, November 18. Most of the congregation, including Pastor Daniel, stayed home and interceded for their country. Only 80 were able to meet at the church and pray. 

Haiti is full of promise. After things calm down, students will be able to attend school. The Clinic will continue to operate. The church is still alive. Please join us in prayer for our brothers and sisters as they anchor in God’s presence looking to His promise of healing and restoration for their communities and country. May God give strength to Haiti’s leadership to guard, protect and bless each one. 

What a great board meeting! The largest part of the day was spent in board training. The focus was our mission statement and vision and how we communicate this to the world. We began to take steps to clarify roles and responsibilities of everyone on the Vine Ministry team. We were privileged to have expert direction from Connie Albrecht and Beverly Anderson of Sparrow Solutions Groups. Their input was invaluable to this ministry. We finished the day with a well-deserved time of food and fellowship. Left to right on the above photo: Jo Dick, Linda Seals, Bill Seals, Connie Ambrecht, Jim Dick, Evelyn Dick, Gloria King, dan King, Bonnie Golden, Greg Golden, and Beverly Anderson.

As a side note, do you know what brings a smile to my face? AMAZON SMILE. So far this year Vine Ministry has received $27.73 from Amazon Smile. It is easy to shop on Amazon and support Vine Ministry at the same time. Just go to smile.amazon.com Be sure to select Vine Ministry as the nonprofit you wish to support. There are many ministries with similar names. Ours is the one located in Goshen, IN. Amazon gives a small percentage of your purchase to Vine Ministry and your cost does not change. A very special thank you to Amazon and those who have already given to Vine Ministry in this way.  

Thank you for partnering with us this last year. We love each one of you and wish the very best to you this year. None of this ministry would continue if it were not for you.

In His precious name,

James Dick  574-534-8325  Jimandjo.geo@yahoo.com

Evelyn Dick  229-291-3480 Haitibabemema1@aol.com

Remember, the email version of the newsletter is published within the first few days of the month. If you want to be the first to read it, sign up on our website at:
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Whichever way you choose to receive updates of this ministry, we are always happy to keep you informed of the work in Haiti.

Support Vine Ministry by shopping online at Smile.Amazon.com. Indicate Vine Ministry Inc. as your charity.

As the holidays approach, consider giving a copy of Evelyn’s book,
Life on the Edge, “34 Years of Ministry in Haiti”. 
It may be ordered by sending a donation of $15.00 plus $3.00 to 
Vine Ministry, PO Box 967, Goshen, IN. 46527

Or order securely on our website vineministry.org.