HOME FOR A WHILE - GIFT GIVING PROGRAM FOR HAITIAN CHILDREN

Looking onto deck and yard Dec 7

We sincerely apologize for not keeping you updated on our comings and goings.  We were without internet for the last couple of days in Haiti and limited on the way home.

We arrived home safely yesterday evening (Dec 6) to 0 degrees Centigrade (32F) with a little bit of snow on the ground. 

When our last guests left on Nov 29^th we began getting the guest house in Haiti tidied up for our return in February 2012.  We were sad to leave.  Stacey said she was going to put the kids and the dog in front of the vehicle on December 1^st, the morning we were leaving, to effect a sit-in of sorts so that Abel would not be able to drive away with us.  In the end she thought the children might not be able to stay still long enough and knew Boone certainly couldn’t so, the tearful goodbyes made, we went to the airport. 

Not a clear pic of one of the earthquake
refuge camps in Port taken from the air

Our flight on MFI back to Fort Pierce, Florida was a little different as we flew to Port-au-Prince first where we refueled and then a straight flight back to Fort Pierce.   While flying into Port-au-Prince we were able to see some of the refugee camps where hundreds of thousands of Haitians continue to live some two years after the earthquake.  We did see some reconstruction, but it was very difficult to determine how much rebuilding has really happened so far.  Probably the highlight of the flight from Port-au-Prince to Fort Pierce was the sunset which was absolutely gorgeous.  God did amazing things when he created the world.  We never cease to be amazed when we wake in the morning anywhere we are to see what beauty He has in store for us whether it is ice crystals on the window or the majesty of a sunrise or sunset.

Flying into Fort Pierce

We overnighted a couple of places on the way to Williamsburg, Virginia (yes, again) where we stayed for a couple more days.

Matt - eat your heart out!

 One of the days was a truly “do nothing” day.  We both needed it so badly.  Another day was for Christmas shopping which always wears us out.  We have to admit that we have been playing Christmas CD’s for at least a week before American Thanksgiving.  I know some people think that Christmas music should not be played before the 1^st of December but Christmas music is about the joy of the birth of Jesus.  Why not play it all year round!  Perhaps we would be joyful all year round.  Why do we have to have Advent Sunday to make us feel that the “countdown” to the Saviour’s birth is on!  Is Christmas not to be kept in our hearts all year round?

We had a discussion on the way home about if the acceptance into heaven depended on a passing grade such as 70 out of a 100, what would be our grade.  What a frightening thought.  Both of us admitted at the end of our conversation that we were happy that it is acceptance of the Lord as our Saviour and showing our faith by the way we live and work for Him that gives us an eternal home, not a pass mark.

This?
or
This

Tonight our church hosted a fundraiser for the 4 schools and the orphanage that the church supports in the Cap Haitien area of Haiti.  Currently there are 609 children attending the four schools that are supported by St. Andrew’s.  John had an opportunity just prior to our departure to visit three of the schools in the Cap Haitien area on the Monday, and the school in the hills above Grison Garde the following day.

At each of the schools John was given a guided tour of the classrooms, an opportunity to speak with the school’s director, and in one case, the school gave a presentation/skit to tell us how important St. Andrew’s is to the children of the community where the school is located.  This particular school has grown from 30 children in 2009/2010 to over 180 children this current academic year.  At each school the director was quick to point out that their school is looking for quality in its teaching and academic excellence from the children.  John also had the opportunity to visit the orphanage where 36 children are currently sharing the facilities at Stella House.  While St. Andrew’s responsibilities are limited to providing funding for the feeding of the children, many of them are attending secondary school.  They are healthy, well cared for and very grateful that they have somewhere other than the street to call home.  They, at least, have the possibility of a future which so many children do not.

Again this year you can make give a gift to a family member or friend through St. Andrew’s  2011 Gift Giving Program.  Read below to find out how.

This Christmas

Honour your friends

and family 

Give gifts in their name to help Haitian children.

Lape Bondye avek ou.

(The peace of God be with you.)

Instead of giving gifts that will soon be forgotten, honour your friends and loved ones by giving items that will help Haitian students.  Your tax-deductible gift will make a lasting difference in the lives of Haitian children who live in the poorest country in the Western hemisphere.

Right now there is not enough food, clothing and money to purchase necessities let alone send children to school.  Thousands are suffering.

We, as Canadians, must wonder why the Government of Haiti is not doing something to solve these problems.  Unfortunately, the government is almost totally dependent upon international aid.  Problems like hunger and education, while important, are not their major focus.

The future of Haiti depends upon our investment in this new generation of youth.  The gifts you give will bring peace and joy to your friends and family.  As you bless Haitian children, we pray that you also will be blessed.

To you and yours, we wish a very blessed Christmas as we once again celebrate the birth of our Saviour.

St. Andrew’s HEARTS

Every dollar you give will have a meaningful impact on the children of Haiti attending one of the 4 schools supported by H.E.A.R.T.S. (Haitians Educated And Ready To Serve) as well as food for children in an orphanage.

To donate, call (519) 843-3565 and talk to Sandra Woods at St. Andrew’s Presbyterian Church, Fergus, Ontario, Canada.  Donations by cheque can also be mailed to Sandra at the following address:

325 St. George Street West

Fergus, ON, Canada, N1M 1J4

All Canadian donations will receive a receipt for income tax purposes. 

You will receive a handmade Haitian gift card to give to someone

 as a remembrance of your generous donation.

 

Gift Selection

$60 - Teacher’s salary for a month

$90 - Nutritious meal for 1 student each week for the school year.

$300 - Tuition for 4 students for the school year.

$75 - Tuition for 1 student for the school year.

$250 - One-time gift will outfit a kindergarten class for a year with learning materials.

$50 - One-time gift will outfit a child with books, a school uniform, shoes, and backpack.

$25 - One-time gift will provide a student with school tuition and a nutritious meal for a month.

General Donation to area of need  $ __________

Name: _____________________________________

Street: _____________________________________

City: _ _______________Province:_____________Country:______________Postal Code:___________

Phone # _______________ 

In exceptional cases, where donations exceed what is needed

for a particular item, H.E.A.R.T.S will redirect funds to a

similar item to help Haitian children in need.