Welcome! We are Kingdom Kids, located about thirty minutes from Port-au Prince, Haiti. We desire to minister to the children and youth in our community through an after school tutor and mentor program, providing a meal, and sharing the Bible. We also desire to share the love of Jesus with the families in our community however the Lord leads us.

July, 2025 

Dear Family and Friends,

We are so grateful for your continued support, encouragement, and prayers. Your love strengthens and uplifts the hearts of the families and children we serve through Kingdom Kids.
We wanted to take a moment to share with you what has been happening in the ministry and in Haiti over the past few months.

Ministry Update

We are pleased to share that our After School Program continues to meet three times a week, providing children with a meal, tutoring, and Bible lessons.  In June the kids and our 9 staff have been busy preparing for the final exams for the school year.  Their last day of school was June 27.   They are taking a 2-week break from June 30-July 14.  

Looking ahead, we are excited to announce our upcoming Vacation Bible School (VBS) scheduled for August 25- 29. School will resume in the second and third weeks of September, and we look forward to welcoming the children back for another year of learning and growth.

In addition, we are discussing the possibility of expanding the After School Program to five days a week in the fall. This initiative would allow us to provide even more support and resources to the children. However, implementing this change would require an additional $230 per month for food and staff. We are eager to explore this opportunity, and your continued support would play a critical role in making it happen. 

Sak Pase!  A glimpse into Haiti with Gary

("Sak Pase" is a Creole Phrase meaning 'What's Up?' or 'What's Happening?')

In the past two months, Haiti has experienced some positive changes. Here is one highlight:

Drone strikes on gangs: The government, possibly through private contractors, is deploying weaponized drones to target gang strongholds—reportedly killing hundreds of gang members and enabling limited reopening of services like schools and banks.

However, insecurity and violence still remain a threat to the Haitian people.

One July 3, the town of Lascahobas, in the Central Plateau of Haiti, came under violent attack by armed gangs, reportedly including Kraze Baryè and 400 Mawozo. The gangs:

• Killed several police officers and members of BESAP (a government security unit),

• Disrupted national exams, attacking school sites while students were taking official state tests,

• Burned houses and schools, causing widespread panic and destruction.

As a result, many residents fled the town, taking shelter in churches, nearby communities, or in temporary camps. The Haitian National Police have reportedly regained partial control, but the gangs retreated to nearby hills, and the area remains tense and unstable.

Focus on Simonette: Amidst these challenges, we are relieved to report that the community of Simonette, where the Kingdom Kids After School program is based, remains safe for the time being. Our programs continue to provide vital support to the children and families in this area, offering a safe haven and essential resources.

Something Extra

Kingdom Kids is happy to announce and warmly welcome two new Board Members,  Dave and Cherie Loss!

Dave and Cherie Los are a devoted couple with a shared passion for faith, family, and serving others. Married for 36 wonderful years, they are the proud parents of seven children and grandparents to two delightful grandchildren. For decades, Cherie has poured her heart into homeschooling their children from early education through high school, while Dave has faithfully worked at Interstates in Sious Center for 23 years. 

Together, Dave and Cherie have cultivated a deep love for the people of Haiti. Their many visits to the country have fueled a desire to serve in meaningful, lasting ways—both spiritually and practically. Whether helping on the ground or supporting initiatives from afar, their hearts are always with the Haitian community.

With compassion, faith, and a heart for missions, Dave and Cherie are honored to be part of this life-changing ministry.

Thank you to Verlyn Raak and Bryan Van Kley for faithfully serving on the Kingdom Kids Board for the past five years. Your support, time, encouragement, and prayers have been a tremendous blessing to this ministry. As you step down from your roles, we are deeply grateful for the lasting impact you’ve made in the lives of so many children and families. May God bless you richly in the seasons ahead. 

Praise and Prayer

PRAISES!!!

• We have some wonderful news to share! All 63 kids received donations for new shirts (from Centerpoint Church in Sioux Center), pants, or skirts, as well as toys that have been sitting in Port for TWO years!  A huge thank you to Gary’s brother for going to Port-au-Prince to collect these donations. God has truly made a way!

• Kingdom Kids has been able to serve not only the 63 kids but also 9 staff members with Bible lessons focused on how God is their STRENGTH, how God PROTECTS them, and how they can TRUST IN JESUS. In addition, the children have learned all 66 books of the Bible! We are grateful for the safe space where community is being built as kids and staff eat, learn, hear the gospel, and pray together.

HOW TO PRAY:

FREEDOM AND PEACE: Pray for a free and peaceful Haiti, free from violence and turmoil.

• Leadership: Pray for wisdom and protection for new leaders seeking international support to combat gang violence.

• Humanitarian Needs: Ask for global aid to help Haitians access food, clean water, and basic necessities.

• Safety & Mobility: Pray for the safety of those trapped in dangerous areas and for restored freedom of movement.

• Specific Requests:

  • For God to guide and support our Haitian family in Iowa.

  • Strength and safety for the children and staff in the After School Program in Haiti.

  • Better access to food and safer roads for communities.

Your Support

Kingdom Kids is run by supporters like you! There are various ways you can help financially support us including fundraisers, monthly gifts, one-time gifts, and more! Please prayerfully consider how you can partner with us financially. 

This month, we are facing an URGENT NEED to assist some of our Haitian family members and friends with CRITICAL LEGAL COSTS that will allow them to stay and work in the United States. Due to recent immigration policy changes, their protected status is at risk of being revoked, and returning to Haiti is not a safe or viable option because of the escalating violence and instability in many regions.

To begin the legal process for all of them, we need to raise $6,000. This amount will cover the necessary filings and legal representation to help them remain in the U.S., where they are contributing to their communities and working hard to build safe, stable lives.

Would you consider partnering with us to make this possible? Any contribution—large or small—will go directly toward these legal fees and make a real, immediate difference in their lives.

These are families who are trying to do the right thing—follow the law, stay safe, and provide for their families. Your help can be the bridge that gives them a chance to continue doing just that.

Please feel free to reach out with any questions.

If you would like to financially support our Haitian family and friends with legal fees, please write "Legal Fees" in the memo line.
If you would like to give toward ongoing support for the After School Program in Haiti, please write "After School Program" in the memo.

Checks and Venmo contributions can be sent to the address below.

Thank you for your generosity and for partnering with us in this important work!

Mail a check to:

Kingdom Kids

628 S Meadow Drive

Sioux Center, IA 51250

Venmo:@Kingdom-kids77

kingdomkidshaiti@yahoo.com

📅 Mark Your Calendars!
🍰 BAKE SALE – August 19 | 9:00 AM – 1:00 PM
📍 The New Homestead, Sioux Center

Come support a great cause and treat yourself to some delicious homemade goodies! Don’t miss it!

Thank you for your continued support, encouragement, and prayers for the families and children who are part of Kingdom Kids. We trust that God is actively moving and working in hearts and lives, and we are grateful to walk this journey together with you.

With trusting hearts, 

Gary & Taunya (De Weerd) Merilus

"Defend the weak and the fatherless; uphold the cause of the poor and the oppressed."

Psalm 82:3