.jpg)
HAITI - AGAIN. So many needs. So many crises. We all want to help. We want our help to impact the nation, lift up the people. Haitians do not want another hand out, or more hand-me-downs. What they are crying out for is a hand up. Missionary Ventures understands that, and we are responding in the following way.
Wow! It's December already, and for many (including me) the most favorite time of the year! It's fitting that we (YOU ALL) have been able to put much-needed funds into the hands of women in Grand Sud (the "big south") of Haiti!
Haitian women nearly always are involved in some form of commerce, selling retail just about anything you can fit in a kivet (big tub carried on their head). Cosmetics, clothing, fruit, paper goods, baked goods ... on and on. As a consequence of the earthquake, many women lost everything, including their inventory for selling. Your generosity in giving to Hands Up for Haiti is giving them a new start -- opportunity to begin a new life with Jesus Christ, and opportunity to begin anew, debt-free and able to replace lost inventory.
As mentioned earlier, we are partnering with Hope Baptist Church in Cap Haitien. They are our boots on the ground, visiting the earthquake victims, sharing the love of God and encouragement that comes from a walk with Him. I have just received a few photos of the first group of women to have been given a start-up gift. There is a photo section where I will post these. Also, I am posting on Facebook. Sometimes I'm better able to share pictures and audio on the Facebook format. I'm still learning!
Pastor Micheler Tanis, who is coordinating things in Haiti, is a gifted evangelist. He sometimes calls me to share the good news of new believers in Christ. Just recently he called to share news of 12 new believers -- 4 from St Marc, 3 from Gonaive, and 5 from Grand Sud (earthquake zone). Pray for these new brothers/sisters that they will be encouraged and discipled with roots going down deep! The other numbers Micheler shared were concerning recipients of financial aid through Hands Up: 75 women have I received 10,000 gourdes ($100) and 25 young people have had their school year paid for!! Thank you all so much!! I don't have a count as yet for the gentlemen farmers, but as soon as I receive news I'll pass it on.
.jpg)
I was thinking the other day about the name of our Haiti project, Hands Up for Haiti. In my first diary entry, I mentioned Haiti doesn't need hand-me-downs or hand-outs, but rather hands that lift up. I want to add that Hands Up are hands in praise and worship! Haitians who know the Lord are a praising people. A day will not pass without their voices (and hands!) being lifted up in praise.
Pastor Micheler (on the left in picture, in blue shirt) was deeply touched by what he saw in the earthquake zone. Maybe overwhelmed and bewildered are better words to describe his initial reactions! But, despite the scenes of rubble and chaos and devastation, we have a plan to start, to take first steps, the possible steps all the while trusting God to show us the next steps forward. These little steps bring HOPE. They help hurting people to grab hold of a vision for tomorrow. (Pastor Micheler is a gifted Evangelist. He is also a team builder and servant. While surveying the earthquake damage and meeting the people, he led five individuals to Christ! This is his heartbeat.)
Here is our three-pronged strategy, our first steps:
Haitian women are workers. They are the backbone of the country. They work from early childhood, every day of their lives. Without work, they are lost. Most have a small (or sometimes not so small!) retail business, buying in bulk and selling in community and at weekly markets. $70 US* will enable most women to start over replenishing their goods and equipment. This is a healthy Hand Up.
Haitian men are workers also. Although a few may find sporadic employment in construction, or forging, nearly all work year-round at farming to feed the family. Teamwork will be necessary now as much of the ground used for sustenance farming is now covered in layers of broken cement. $60 US* will enable a Haitian farmer to secure the needed tools and seeds to begin again. Another healthy Hand Up.
The children need to be in school. We want to provide the student basics -- backpack, books, writing instruments, and school uniforms. $70 US is a Hand Up which covers these expenses and includes the year's tuition.
So, here's our strategy, our first possible steps. We want to do more, and we will, but this is the START!
$70 U.S. - Ladies restart business
$60 U.S. - Gentlemen kick-start farming
$70 U.S. - Children outfitted, dressed for school, year's tuition paid.
*U.S. dollars will purchase Haitian gourdes. Current exchange is $1 US = 98 Haitian Gourdes
Received 9/2/21 from Pastor Tanis --
Church leadership has met and selected two men to accompany Pas. Tanis on an exploratory trip to the earthquake zone on SEPTEMBER 11 (departure date). Using WhatsApp, Pas. Tanis will be sending feedback from the zone along with videos and pictures. So we should have good feedback around 12th September. Please pray for the safety, good communication, and wisdom of these brothers. THANK YOU!!
