Letter To COHH’s First Missionaries
Dustin and Jenna Wadley were the first volunteers to commit to stay long term in Haiti in 2010 during the early construction of our campus in Hinche. Neither had been to Haiti previously and after a year, shortly after the Grand Opening of the school (October 20, 2010) marking the completion of the first phase of construction, they sent an email expressing their disillusionment with the conditions and the lack of progress they had hoped for. The following is the response sent to them by Nancy Lipscomb, January 8, 2011:
Dustin and Jenna,
Your note to James expressing your frustrations with progress at the COHH site is evidence of the wisdom that impressed me about you both when I met you nearly a year ago. You have wisely vented, as you put it, your frustrations with one another and now you bring them to all of us at COHH.
Before I say anything about those issues, I must first ask your forgiveness for not expressing my appreciation and respect for you both and for all your efforts on behalf of COHH. I pray for you regularly. I should have been asking you for specific requests, and I should have been more fervent in asking God to protect your spirits and energy for the project. You are an answer to prayer.
Progress at the site was amazingly more efficient when you both accepted the call to help us help children in Hinche. Without you, the Grand Opening in October would never have occurred. You worked long, hard hours and endured conditions that I never would have chosen. Yet you did so because of your love for children in Hinche and your desire to make a change in their lives.
It is disheartening, frustrating and disappointing to us all that, as you say, little, if any progress has occurred since then. Sadly, these are emotions shared by millions of people around the world who sincerely desire change for Haiti. You, more than I, know the daily struggles for existence there. What are we to do?
Persevere! Jesus wept over the city of Jerusalem. He loved it so much. He spent three years ministering to the people, healing, preaching, forgiving, sharing God’s love with all, yet, as you know, they forsook Him. He did not give up. He loved them until the end and, indeed, loves them still. He loves Haiti. He loves you both. He has not forsaken you. He has given us all a commandment to love as He loves us. I firmly believe that He will bless you and COHH if we persevere in loving Hinche and Haiti in spite of the abuse and discouragement we, and especially you, face each day. I can’t begin to say that I know how difficult it is for you. I can say Jesus is with you and sharing your sorrow.
Sometimes, our work assignment is one that brings accolades and tangible results. Other times, the task is drudgery and unseen. Yet all is important to achieve the end – a better Haiti and children who are educated, healthy and loved.
Please know that your work is always appreciated, even if now it is pulling weeds and mopping floors. You are maintaining what we have so far and, God willing, insuring that it will be ready for the children. The children will be there! I love you both.
Nancy Lipscomb
Here we are today, February 2026, 15 years later, with a campus twice the size and more to come. Children attending school has grown from 12 to 147 onsite in grades 1-9, 48 in private high schools in grades 9-13 and 6 in their first and second years of college. The hopeless finding hope, due in no small part to the efforts of Dustin and Jenna at the very beginning. Although each of you have since gone your separate ways, please know that we think of you often and love you both.
