Another year has passed and there is still so much to do.  Why is it that the days and months move by so fast?  I’m guessing others feel like me, like we have not accomplished everything we set out to do in 2016.  The things that remain undone from last year do not fairly measure success or failure.  We learn from the past and look to the New Year with new objectives and goals.  Scripture tells us to “Forget the former things; do not dwell on the past.  See, I am doing a new thing!  Now it springs up; do you not perceive it?  I am making a way in the wilderness and streams in the wasteland” Isaiah 43:18-20.  We are instructed by God to forget the past with its shortcomings and problems.  We are to look forward to the new things that God has prepared for us in 2017.

Some HOLD the Children objectives were not fully attained in 2016, but we are grateful for the many accomplishments that were attained.  More children attended HOLD sponsor schools in 2016 than ever before.  HOLD began sponsoring the new school in Onaville under the leadership of Pastor Noel Gespere.  Fifteen students at the Jamaica Christian School for the Deaf graduated from high school in June and eight kids from the HOLD Home continued on into high school.  HOLD distributed more financial support to sponsor schools than in previous years, thanks to the faithful giving of sponsors.

The HOLD the Children Home now has 45 children being cared for by Pastor Francklin Antoine and his dedicated staff.  The transitional homes, which are family style living units, made great progress in 2016.  The security wall around the property is in place and the foundation and floor of the transitional home were completed.  Phase two of construction is set to begin soon.

We are excited to see what God does in 2017.  We choose to look forward to the new things God has planned.  Thank you for your support of HOLD the Children.  We depend on your faithful giving.  Thank you!!