It's
a hunger that so burns in the stomach that some are calling it "Clorox
Hunger." It's a hunger that no one wants to ever
experience. And yet many Haitians are experiencing it right
now. No doubt you have read of the skyrocketing food prices that
have stricken Haiti, and that some people are resorting to eating "dirt
cookies" to assuage this terrible hunger. Not only have the
prices of rice, beans, flour, and other foods soared, but the cost of
renting an ox for a day of planting has risen dramatically,
transportation costs have increased, and prices have escalated sharply
in almost every area of life. Many Haitians who are already
living precariously on the edge wonder how they will survive this
crisis.
But God is at work
in Haiti. One of the ways He is sustaining Haitians on the
Central Plateau of Haiti is through HAFF's mercy ministries. HAFF
provides health care, medicines, eyeglasses, and pre-natal care at
reasonable prices through its clinic. HAFF's ambulance service,
provided at no charge, transports people in medical emergencies to the
hospital in Pignon. A milk program provides a glass of milk a day
and vitamins for malnourished children. (The photo above left is one of
the children being weighed for HAFF's milk program.) And HAFF's
benevolence committee helps people in crisis by providing money,
clothing, or donated foods. (The people pictured above are
gathered to receive donated food given through HAFF's benevolence
committee.)
HAFF also helps the community through the payroll
dollars it provides. HAFF is the second biggest employer in the
region. The payroll dollars for the 58 full and part-time Haitian
staff help fuel the local economy. HAFF payroll dollars not only
directly benefit those families, but ripple out to many others in the
community by paying for food, clothing, and services, assisting their
extended families, and giving to the local church. The rippling
effect is dramatic as those payroll dollars impact the local economy.
As
you watch the suffering on television or read about it in the
newspaper, perhaps you have asked yourself, "How can I help during this
time of crisis?" We are excited to share with you something
tangible that you and your circle of contacts can do.
A
long-time friend of HAFF wants to help assure that the community and
families whom HAFF serves, and those many families who make up the
ministry team in Haiti, weather this crisis. She will match every
dollar given to HAFF's general ministry fund until September 30, 2008 up to
$10,000. What this means is that any and all gifts to help HAFF's
general ministry (designated as "for the Matching Gift") can be doubled! Since this widespread inflation
has increased the expense of HAFF's basic ministries, this match will
help us maintain those during the summer when giving is often
down. And since a portion of the money raised will go toward
specific hunger relief, the success of this match will also provide
funds to specifically address this hunger in ways beyond our usual
ministries.
This gift is intended to generate giving over and
above what would normally be given to HAFF. This is a great opportunity
for your Sunday School class, Bible study group, or other small group
to get involved in helping HAFF help the Haitians during this difficult
time. Perhaps a special offering could be made at your church, in
a youth group, or during its Vacation Bible School program this
summer. Maybe your office could participate, or a special
fund-raising potluck could be organized. Maybe loose
change could be rounded up and given to HAFF.
Whatever way God
brings to your mind to help, we encourage you to help others to
understand this need, how HAFF is meeting the needs in the Central
Plateau, and how giving to HAFF now can make a difference. Thank
you for your heart to help the Haitians. May God continue to
sustain and bless His people.
posted by Greg and Barb Van Schoyck, August 6, 2008
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