Sister Phyllis Newby
Missionary to Haiti since 1972
“Ask me,
and I will make the nations
your inheritance,
the ends of the earth
your possession.”
Psalm 2:8
50+ Years in Haiti
Beautifully crafted leather products.
When we began partnering with Sister Phyllis Newby in 1983, she was working with 12 churches and living in the Port-Au-Prince area. Now, she has joined hands with over 300 churches scattered throughout Haiti. As the ministry expanded and our love has grown for Sister Phyllis and our Haitian brothers and sisters, we moved into others areas of service. That has included Christmas For Haiti, Pastoral Leadership Training, Workcamps and Clean Water, to name a few. She is such a mighty woman of prayer and we have counted it a privilege to work with her these many years. She took us under her wings and we have learned so much from her life of sacrifice and humility.
50+ Years In Haiti!
In 2022, Sister Phyllis celebrated serving in Haiti 50 years! She (and we with her) marvel at the faithfulness of God! We agree with the Apostle John when he said that “I suppose that even the whole world would not have room for the books that would be written” (John 21:25) of ALL that God has done!
Humanitarian & Geopolitical Crisis
Since 2019, the humanitarian crisis in Haiti has escalated continuously and wreaked devastating havoc on the country. Gang control as well as political corruption has all but halted travel into and throughout the nation. Starvation, abject poverty and violences of all kinds have taken over.
We have not been able to travel into Haiti since 2018. At Sister Phyllis’ discretion, we have heeded her instruction and remained stateside.
What is the status of the Sister Phyllis and the Mission Center?
As of April 2025, we are SO thankful to share that Sister Phyllis, the children, the Mission Center & associated buildings and the hospital are all safe. By the mercies of God, the people and the property have been kept from invasions, violence and destruction. Many times over the last few years, gangs and threats have come very close, but God has protected and delivered. While the gang noise can be heard nearby, it has not crossed the threshold of the property.
Our Primary Focus of Help
In light of the current and ongoing crisis, the primary tangible focus of our ministry has been to supply rice and basic necessities via monetary support. We are still able to secure rice in Haiti that can be picked up and moved throughout the country periodically. Although perilous and less often due to gang activity, God has made a way. Also, via alternate shipping and driving routes, some basic necessities have been able to be sent in.
Ways You Can Help!
Secondly, if you are able to give monetarily to support the supply of rice, Sister Phyllis and the people of Haiti would be very, very grateful. The price of rice has increased and transport has become quite costly and dangerous. However, God has helped and we have been able to continue supplying, albeit less frequently.
As Paul says in 1 Corinthians 9:26, “I do not fight like a boxer beating the air.” We are not without hope and just “at the fate” of the gangs and crisis. We trust that God will bring breakthrough even in dire situations and that He will ultimately be glorified.
Christmas for Haiti 2024
Here is a view into what a week of Christmas for Haiti looks like!
Donate to Phyllis Newby | Haiti
Every year since 1986, Hand to the Plow has gathered small toys, candy and a printout of the Christmas story and packaged them for the children of Haiti. Some years it has been 35,000 gifts and some years it has been 15,000.
A week is spent in December going to villages throughout Haiti telling the glorious story of Christ’s birth and life through to the cross and distributing the gifts. Without fail, the presence of Jesus comes, the joy of the Lord fills the room and for a moment, the sparkle of Christmas shines in the eyes of the children and villagers!
It’s not just a tradition, it’s a great joy and privilege!
In recent years and because of the ongoing upheaval in Haiti, our Christmas for Haiti endeavor has been to provide rice for distribution. With travel halted to or throughout Haiti during this crisis and under the direction of Sister Phyllis, supplying rice has been our main goal.
It is our hope that, in the future, Christmas for Haiti will resume and we will once again see the children’s eyes filled with joy at the wonder of the Christmas story and a humble Christmas gift.
