Stepping into Haiti - A Long-Awaited Return

Dear friends,

At the beginning of 2026, I stepped onto Haitian soil for the first time since June 2021. It’s hard to put into words how historic and meaningful that moment was. I've missed Haiti and "my people." I’ve missed the smiles, the joy, and the laughter that come so naturally when we are together. Being apart is never the same. Isolation can lead to discouragement, but community renews hope and courage to keep going!

We met at the Haiti–Dominican Republic border with six of our Haitian staff and the YL Caribbean leadership team. After years of separation, Zoom calls, and uncertainty due to the ongoing crisis, God opened a door that felt impossible—and we met face-to-face. Oh what JOY!

We prayed together. We laughed. We sang. We reflected on Scripture. We shared honestly about the realities each of us is facing and encouraged one another to keep going after kids with the love of Jesus. 

Cheche, our National Director, reflected, “It is clear that being together is a good thing. We may think we understand each other’s realities, but we don’t know everything. As leaders from Cuba, the Dominican Republic, and across the Caribbean shared their experiences, we were reminded that God appoints the right leaders for the right places and that we are stronger together." 

Circled around the border marker between Haiti and the Dominican Republic - a powerful reminder that we are one family, and while borders separate nations, our mission to reach kids for Jesus unites us.

And While We Gathered - Camp Was Happening in Haiti

While these key leaders were gathered at the border, Young Life camp was happening in Haiti—just miles away.

More than 150 kids and leaders came together for a discipleship camp to open God’s Word, build relationships, and grow in their faith. Even amid uncertainty, the next generation is already stepping forward—serving, leading, and making new disciples.

It was a powerful reminder that the ministry does not pause. 

This is the fruit of faithful investment—leaders pouring into leaders, disciples making disciples, and hope multiplying across generations.

   A Future Invitation - Come with us next time! 

Your faithful partnership made moments like this possible. Because of you, our leaders are not alone, the ministry in Haiti continues to advance, and hope is still rising—one relationship at a time.

We would love for you to experience this firsthand—meeting our Haitian leaders at the border, hearing their stories, and seeing what God is doing with your own eyes. We don’t yet have a date, but we are prayerfully exploring the possibility. Please lift this opportunity in prayer and let us know if you are interested in learning more.

Stay tuned! 

Gratefully standing together across borders,

Julie, Cheche, and the Young Life Haiti Team