Looking Back - Looking Forward
It has been a little over two years since the devastating earthquake in Haiti and it is time to remember, record and look forward to the work God has done and is doing. I am not a “blogger,” yet, I am told that it is the way of things now, to let people know what is going on, so here goes: Kim Gould and I went to Haiti in May after the earthquake and I was devastated by the heartbreaking poverty and tremendous need that I saw. Kim had been going for several years and had established relationships with Emory and Mary Wilson in Gonaieves and Jubilee-Blanc, Haiti. They had taken children in, established a small school for about 35 kids and had begun a feeding program that could only sustain about 150 kids with plates of rice, while hundreds went unfed. Their resources were few but their hearts were large and our God had a plan that we soon became part of, unbeknownst to us at the time. That is the way He works!
We returned home and I must admit, my heart was broken; at the same time it was captured by the people and the small work that was faithfully being done in God’s name. The need was so great - how could we help? Ahhh - did I forget how big He was and that as 1 Corinthians 1:27 talks about - He can use the foolish things of this world (like Me) to shame the wise and perform His work (paraphrased certainly). He gave us a vision and our journey began. We formed our umbrella organization called Manzanita Outreach and with the help of 3 local churches, He opened the doors to a partnership with Kids Against Hunger. We have become the first food packaging satellite in Arizona. We are a non-profit; just a small group of folks (Kim Gould, Dan Engler, Bob & Bonnie Shimko, Aymee Wilson, Beth Cady and I) who have a heart to feed the starving children and families, especially in Haiti and also the hungry here in the Verde Valley. And, it’s being done, rather unbelievable! It’s so God, not us.
He opened the hearts of many in the Verde Valley who fundraised, brought money to the table and packaged over 67,000 meals last year. We also were able not only to ship a percentage of those meals to Haiti, but share some among 6 local food banks and feeding programs right here at home.
Yes, you heard the word “fundraise.” In this economy folks shy away from such a thing, but not all folks. Remember all the meals we’ve packed? Here’s the bottom line. This is something people can physically DO - in the process of changing and saving the lives of others - it changes us. Believe it. Yes, in order for us to be able to bring you to the table to package the bulk food - we have to purchase and bring it here - pay for the equipment and materials to package it and then ship it to Haiti. So we ask for the money - at the cost of only 25 Cents/meal. The amount that you bring is how many life saving meals you can pack - that’s how it works - for the privilege of saving lives. No matter what your personal situation is, it is no comparison to the true poverty stricken in Haiti. Please think about it.
We’re Making A Difference
I know this is really long and I’m told that blogs are supposed to be short (oops - too late) so here on out, I’ll try to keep that in mind. But I want to share with you about the changes in Haiti that Kim and I saw on our 2nd trip there in November. The country as a whole is beginning to recover - rubble is being cleared, the main road to Gonaieves was paved and we saw that rice was once again being grown. In the little community of Jubilee there are many changes, thanks to the work of the Wilson’s and now Beaver and Kathy Brooks. The school has a second building and now has over 90 kids and is raising up Haitian teachers. A well has been dug and a garden begun. A community type gazebo has been built and 50 one room homes are being completed - with Haitian men being taught to build. Community health workers are being trained and a small trade school has begun for women.
Poverty still is rampant and many are still dying from starvation and diseases secondary to malnutrition. But our food is making a difference. While Kim and I were there we were able to personally hand it out to many families and participate in setting up it’s distribution to several schools and orphanages. What a blessing.
So that’s my “not- so-very-brief” summary. From here on out I hope to share short progress reports, needs & stories. In 2012 we would like to package over 200,000 meals. Please consider helping us do this.
Gratefully - Karen Freeman
