GGI in Haiti!

Over the last 8 years, I have traveled to Haiti several times.  My visits have consisted of working at an orphanage, building relationships with the poor and oppressed, bringing donations to those in need, ministering to children and adults, little bit of snuggling, and lots of praying and crying.

Some of the people I meet are hungry, tired, poor, sick, homeless, without family, without resources, without education, without hope.  Yet, in the midst of what I would consider despair, they are smiling, thankful, and giving.  It used to surprise me when they would try to give me gifts.  They have nothing, yet they want me to have something.  One little boy at the orphanage excitedly received a hot wheels car we brought him.  He played with it for two days straight with a big smile on his face.  Then, he came to me and gave it back.  I said, “no, this is yours to keep – a gift.”  He just smiled and said, “no, this is yours to keep – a gift!”  I returned to my room that night and cried.  I didn’t just shed a tear or two, I wept.  I remember lying in my friend’s lap and saying, “we have to do more, how can we just come here, give out a few gifts, play with the kids, and leave?”  My heart ached, and I began to wonder how I was going to go home and resume my life after all I had just experienced.  When that particular trip came to an end, I felt like there was so much more I needed to do.  It was hard to leave Haiti; it’s always hard for me to leave Haiti.   I reluctantly flew home with my heart aching and my mind racing.

It takes a while before I mentally return home.  I try to return to my everyday life, but as I’m getting ready for work and choosing which of my 6 nice pairs of work shoes will go best with my outfit, I can’t help but wonder why I own so many shoes.  Getting in my clean, air conditioned vehicle that I used to think was old and crummy, now suddenly seems luxurious.  As I pull into my favorite coffee stand to buy my weekly latte, I feel a pang of guilt – do I need a $4.00 treat when the people in my heart could feed their family for a week on $4.00? 

I don’t believe God is trying to make me feel guilty, but rather aware.  I’m aware that I was fortunate enough to be born into a family in the USA that could provide for my needs.  This awareness has caused me to be thankful for the things I have, and thoughtful of the things I don’t need. 

Each time I return home I am convicted to do something more than just visit Haiti.  So, each time, I do a little something - a small fundraiser, and it’s great.  The problem is, it doesn’t last - it’s all temporary.  We raise money, send it down, and go on with our lives.  

Things were about to change for me.  In May 2012, while in Haiti, I ventured out from my routine work in the capital Port-Au-Prince to a small city on the southern coast of Haiti called Jacmel.  A sweet little Haitian woman with a big heart,  named Ismaelite, who had become a good friend of mine, invited me to visit her and see what God was doing in Jacmel through her new ministry.  She had begun work in December 2010 to help the poor and oppressed.  Because of the earthquake, the need was even greater, so there was no shortage of families she could assist. 

She followed the leading of the Lord and started with a vision and just a small group of people who shared her vision.  Diligently, she worked at raising support, made her own sacrifices, and after 2 years, they have done amazing work in the community.  Children, who would otherwise spend their days at home doing chores or looking for paying jobs, now get to go to school!  They are receiving quality education, with time carved out in the school day to learn about the love of the Lord.  They are also learning both English and French, which are key to securing a profitable career in Haiti.  Because they are committed to seeing these children all the way through high school, they will have opportunities their parents never had.  Currently, they are supporting 26 children and families!

Many more in the community are benefiting as well.  They have helped farmers by providing proper tools and assisting in planting, they have fed and clothed families in desperate need, and supported earthquake victims with relief, all in the name of The Lord. 

I was so encouraged to see the positive impact they were having on the community in Jacmel, I knew that when I returned home this time, I would forever be a part of this ministry!

So, once again I returned home leaving my heart behind.  The difference this time was that I knew getting involved would mean investing in literally changing lives for the better.  This wasn’t going to be temporary – it would last!  My husband and I began praying about our role in all of this. Thankfully, God brought to us a representative from an established ministry here in Spokane called Grace Giving International.  Since 2009, Grace Giving has been changing lives and providing opportunities to children and families around the world while being the hands and healing presence of Jesus Christ. Their programs in Uganda and Ethiopia were very similar to the program we wanted to support in Haiti.  Thus, a partnership began!  GGI is excited about expanding their mission to Haiti, and we are blessed to be able to come under this already established ministry.  God answered our prayers, now we will answer His call. 

Psalm 9:18 says, “But God will never forget the needy – the hope of the afflicted will never perish.”  

We are committed to work diligently to raise support to help GGI’s program in Jacmel be successful.  And we will never stop sharing of Christ’s love, so the ones being blessed will know where their true hope lies.

So, what are our goals for the future?  First, is to secure a large building in Jacmel to use as a school by August 2013.  In order to take more children into the program, we need to have a school to send them to.  This is our first and biggest need.  Once a building is secured, we will begin working on child sponsorship.  Our goal is to have 30 new children sponsored by the end of 2013.  Then, 30 more in 2014!  Wouldn’t it be wonderful if we exceeded our goal?  It would be just like God to go well above and beyond what we think possible! 

Would you consider partnering with us?  We need volunteers, we need one time and monthly donors, we need people who would be willing to invest in a child’s life by sponsoring them.  My challenge to you today would be to look closely at where you spend your time and money.  What do you indulge in?  Maybe you’re like me and love your weekly lattes.  Maybe you’re tired of boring sack lunches and eat out a couple times a week.  Maybe you have plans to upgrade the service on your cell phone, just one more time. But, before you do, would you consider the less fortunate?  Consider the ones who have never owned their own pair of shoes, or who don’t have a mattress in their home to sleep on.   I understand that our natural tendency is to grasp what we have, instead of freely give to those in need.  It’s about perspective, what we want vs. what we need.  So, today, would you decide what it is you can live without, add it up, and give it away? 

Serving Him with excitement,

Karla
Grace Giving - Haiti Program Director

If you’re interested in donating, visit our website at www.gracegivinginternational.org

To find out about volunteering opportunities or supporting us in other ways, contact me directly - karla@gracegivinginternational.org