Sufficient Grace: The Next Steps

People have asked me “why would you want to go serve overseas when there is so much need here?” After being back in Haiti I ask them this “What’s your definition of need?”

In When Helping Hurts, they conducted a study comparing how middle class North Americans and the poor in low income countries viewed poverty. North Americans described it as a lack of physical needs, transportation, housing, food. The poor described poverty as a psychological state, powerlessness, fear, and shame. They agreed that the materially poor were not the only ones suffering from poverty. "...every human being is suffering from a poverty of spiritual intimacy, a poverty of being, a poverty of community, and a poverty of stewardship."

We live in a broken world, and suffering is unavoidable no matter where you are.

However, When Helping Hurts also points out "the fact that all of humanity has some things in common with the materially poor does not negate their unique and overwhelming suffering nor the special place that they have in God's heart..."

So why would I want to go somewhere like Haiti? Because Christ has placed a burden on my heart to serve this population.

"The vision that God gives is not some unattainable castle in the sky, but a vision of what God wants you to be down here. Allow the Potter to put you on His wheel and whirl you around as He desires. Then as surely as God is God, and you are you, you will turn out as an exact likeness of the vision. But don’t lose heart in the process. If you have ever had a vision from God, you may try as you will to be satisfied on a lower level, but God will never allow it" Oswald Chambers

When I left Haiti in February my heart was heavy, and I felt like I was leaving home instead of returning to it. I'm excited that now I have been given the opportunity to return! Doris contacted me two weeks ago to ask if I could return for several months. She would like me to help fill in while they are in the states and Talante is on maternity leave.

Service Goals

Assist with the medical clinic while Talante is on maternity leave.
Help monitor the baby dorm.
Work with the younger kids teaching basic life skills such as brushing teeth and hygiene.
Planting a moringa and neem tree grove!

Moringa

Widespread deforestation has greatly impacted Haiti's once lush landscape. Battling the highest malnutrition rate in the western hemisphere Haiti has an uphill battle. Even with all the produce around, Dessalines still struggles with high rates of malnutrition.
I'm hoping the grove I plant will assist with both reforestation and nutrition.

The Moringa tree is fast growing and extremely nutritious because it has all nine amino acids to make a complete protein. Because of how quickly it grows it is being used around the world to treat malnutrition. It's seed pods can be used to clean water, and its roots contain a spice that tastes like horseradish.

The Neem tree is also a fast growing tree with endless uses. It's twigs can be used to brush teeth, and the tea can be used to reduce malaria fever. The oils from the leaves are used to treat skin disorders and as an insect repellant.

For more information on these and other solutions to hunger, visit Educational Concerns for Hunger Organization (ECHO).
http://echocommunity.site-ym.com/?page=Plant_Info