Haiti Lovelink Update Gift Distribution October 2007
(Gifts sent according to the January 2007 deadline)
Hello Sponsors,
It’s a joy to write and share about our most recent gift distribution to your sponsored children in Haiti.
The shipment/container containing the gifts arrived in late August and so a team of 10 women returned to Haiti to distribute those gifts and to photograph all the new kiddies in our schools this school year. The team consisted of myself, Erma Hartman (Lovelink Coordinator), Renee’ Mead, Cathi Lester, Shelby Baxter, Bertie LaCorte, Margaret Franklin, Cori Robinson and Karen Lydick. And did we have a great time! Except for rain much of the time, we had a really joyful experience. Relatively uneventful and God protected us in our travels.
Enclosed in this mailing are the photos of your children receiving the gifts you sent in accordance with the January 2007 gift deadline. As usual, if you find any errors or have questions, please let me know immediately. If you receive the wrong photo, return it to us please so we can get it to the rightful owner. You will find your Account Number (AN) and the child’s name on the reverse of the photo. Check it out to be certain it’s yours!
While we were there some of the gals also conducted hypertension and diabetic clinics which we do quarterly. We also found the children in Haiti to generally be doing very well. We “graduated” about 60 Toddler Nutrition Children to Preschool. It’s a blessing to see them growing and to track their nutrition from birth to school. We did not learn of any deaths of any of our children. Although a lot of our families DID loose property, animals, homes, etc. in the flooding from Hurricane Noel.
The churches and schools are gearing up for the usual Christmas festivities. The church is the center of Celebration during Christmas, Easter and other times throughout the year.
Thank you so much for the gifts, money, purchases and correspondence that you sent for your children in Haiti. We convey their gratitude through this letter. And the photos also express their thanks.
Also we humbly ask you to pray for Lifeline and our financial needs. In 2007 we expended over $1,158,000.00 in children’s ministries among our works in Haiti and Honduras. And there are still many unmet needs. Yet we praise God because of the spiritual work we see taking place and that is what matters most. The growth in the lives of the youth and their families was really evident this year as we had dozens of youth come to Christ and be baptized. Yet it takes funds to meet the physical and educational needs because through these tools people come to Jesus. Lifeline has a need of over $200,000.00 a month and a remaining need for over this amount as the year comes to an end.
A special “thank you” to those who have given to Baker’s Dozen this fall. This is a program designed to send a plea to sponsors to consider giving a 13th payment each year to cover all those things not covered by the Basic Child Support of $30.00 month ($360.00 year). We also express our gratitude for your willingness to increase your giving for this child support to $30.00 month.
Direct all inquiries about your specific child, their family or problems with the gift photos to our Lovelink Stateside Coordinator, Erma Hartman: Erma@Lifeine.org . One of the greatest innovations over the past couple of years has been the capability to email Haiti when we are not there and get information on children within a few days.
Note too that the next gift distribution period will be January 2008 during our annual Women’s Work Trip to distribute Christmas Gifts. After that we will then distribute the April 2007 Gifts. We are sorry the process takes so long but that is the dilemma we deal with constantly relating to containers shipped to Haiti. You should expect your Christmas Gift photos in February. Don’t forget to send your $5.00 per shoe-box size package to help offset the cost of about $7000.00 per container!
Whenever possible it is a good thing to send money for your sponsored child and their family but gifts are always welcome and bring the child personal joy. Even so, the children are most delighted when they see they are receiving money because they know how much it is needed in their homes just to provide for daily needs. We suggest the following for consideration:
v January: money only and a letter or card.
v April: bookbags for school (for September) and $45.00 for school books
v July: Christmas gifts and money if possible
v October: health and hygiene items (vitamins, deodorant, toothpaste, toothbrush, soap, bandaids, etc.) along with a special toy or fun gift and, if possible, send money.
Thank you again for all you do. We simply could not minister without your support and prayers. Your contribution of $360.00 year ($30.00 month) allows us to keep the schools open and to impact the children through Christian training, education, nutrition, health care and more.
We invite you to consider a trip to Haiti with Lifeline to visit your sponsored child and their family. You can also purchase a home for your child for $3,300.00 and can join us in Haiti for construction of that home! Currently if you fund a home there is about an 8 to 10 month wait and we can schedule the homes specifically when you or a representative can be present.
Another project that you will continue to hear more about is our Higher Ground Project, a vision to take the schools to the next level spiritually, academically and physically. If you would like to know more, please contact Gretchen@Lifeline.org or call Gretchen DeVoe @ 614-794-0108. It is a great way of helping us take out schools to a new level spiritually, academically and physically and you can be involved on several levels. First by praying. Secondly by giving to a specific physical need, and thirdly by going and participating in the Higher Ground Project in Haiti. Churches, campus ministries, youth groups, and other groups here in the U.S. can actually adopt a school for a minimum of one year and work with us at whatever level you can afford to help us take these schools to a new and better level. We have 12 schools in Haiti that need much improving in many areas. Our school directors have already begun doing their part to impact the children even more in their spiritual needs and academically. We need ministry partners to help us with the physical needs!
Wishing you and yours the merriest and most blessed of holidays and praying that you will feel the presence of the Holy Spirit and enjoy the peace and tranquility that only Christ can provide.
Merry Christmas and Happy New Year,
Lifeline Christian Mission