Haitian Border Crisis: How is Your Money Helping?

There is a building deportation crisis at the Dominican-Haitian border and during the past month we've asked you to help those who are without anything at all ... no food, clean water or even a pot to cook in. You responded enthusiastically.

Here's how your money is helping:

Because of your generosity, FFP's Dominican staff purchased supplies to create 200 CARE KITS* (filled with food and cooking items). Many of our Dominican church partners worked with us hand in hand to help assemble the kits.

FFP's church partners in the DR help assemble Care Kits.

Our Dominican staff drove trucks loaded with these kits to the deportation camp in the border town of Anse-a-Pitre (at the very southeastern corner of Haiti). Our Haiti staff drove an arduous journey up and over the mountains to meet them there and join in the effort.

FFP's Dominican, Haitian and American staff in Anse-a-Pitre

The FFP team was surprised to discover that since Kristin and Heather visited the camp two weeks ago it had swelled from 200 families to over 400! This increase would really challenge the distribution.

Tents in the camps are built from sticks and whatever scraps can be found.

But first, they gathered the community together for a time of worship.

Pastor Valentin leads people in a time of worship.

"The people are hungry and scared, but they are also so hungry to worship God. Even though they have very little, they still praise God and trust Him to provide," said Pastor Valentin.

Any community distribution can quickly deteriorate into chaos, but fortunately due to our team's experience, they maintained an orderly and calm process. Knowing they wouldn't have enough for everyone, they first identified families with children. And they encouraged those who received to share with those who didn't.

FFP staff members distribute the Care Kits.

Said one of our partners, "This was the smoothest distribution I have ever seen! The FFP staff knew exactly what to do and handled the crowd with compassion and respect."

A pregnant woman is so thankful for her Care Kit.

While the long-term goal is to relocate these people into communities and with family, we saw an immediate need to provide life-saving help. We thank you for helping make this heroic effort possible. Your donations have literally helped save lives and given hope to many who feel like they don't belong anywhere.

...

Says Kristin Hamner, FFP's Dominican Director, "The crisis is far from over, and will probably continue through the end of the year. Our next step is to supply five-gallon water jugs, deliver clean water and distribute additional food. We're working with our partner Water@Work for clean water solutions. And we're talking with the government to see how we can work together to care for these wonderful people. We need continued support so that both our Dominican and Haitian staff can respond to needs as they arise."

Kristin with the Water@Work team discuss ways to bring clean
water to the deportation camps in Anse-a-Pitre and Malpasse.

*CARE KITS include rice, beans, oil, cereal, sugar, canned meat, pasta, salt, tomato paste, bouillon cubes, coffee, cooking pot, knife, cooking spoon, matches and a five-gallon bucket with a lid.

 

Thank you for your donations! We are grateful and overwhelmed with your generous support so far. But the needs persist!

We need at least 200 donors to give $30/month through the end of the year so we can continue to meet the basic needs of the people in the camps. 

Will you be one of them?  

Donate to help Haitian deportees

Faces of FFP: On a Mission

Chris Goodyear (center) and the FFP mission team in La Victoria.

"I didn't go on a mission trip expecting my life to be changed, but that's exactly what happened!"

Chris Goodyear didn't go on a mission trip because he felt "called" or was looking for a life-changing experience. He went because his daughter was going and the trip leader, Frank Speranza from Long Valley Presbyterian Church (LVPC), needed more male chaperones.

"I figured my job would be to watch over the kids and keep them out of trouble. As a long-time soccer coach I was very qualified for that task!"

During pre-trip meetings Chris started to get a feeling this trip might be different than he expected. "For starters, we were going to be building a church--and I hadn't even attended church in decades! And when past trip members shared their stories about oneness and community I didn't understand what they were talking about."

It wouldn't take long to find out. "I was blown away by what I saw at the airport in Santo Domingo. The members of La Victoria church (LVPC's partner community) gr
eeted us with banners and singing. Americans and Dominicans ran to hug each other as friends were reunited. To witness this connection ... well, right there it was, 'Wow!'"

"On our first day at the work site I experienced a whole range of feelings ... expectation, exhilaration, excitement, humility and fatigue. The community was much poorer than I expected with unpaved roads, no running water and houses made from scraps. As we worked hand in hand with our Dominican friends to put in the floor of the church, I started to see for myself what community looks like ... how everyone joins together to help each other ... and how 'play' between children is a universal language."

"I'm a naturally cynical person, especially when it comes to organized religion, but at our first worship in La Victoria I witnessed genuine outpouring of faith--unlike anything I'd ever experienced. In the unabashed sharing of love for God I felt within myself gratitude and joy. And I felt God banging on the door of my heart saying, 'Let me in!'"

"As we spent ten days working, playing and worshipping together, I watched two very different groups of people join together in oneness, bound by a common goal and shared faith in God. And I was now part of this group."

"This experience was a turning point in my life. I learned so much from the Dominicans. I saw what working hand in hand looks like. And I realized that God hadn't deserted me. He had been there all along waiting for me to turn back toward Him. When I returned home I joined LVPC and am now an active member. This year I plan to return to La Victoria for my third mission trip!"

"I didn't go on an FFP mission trip expecting my life to be changed ... but evidently God had other plans!"

Faces of FFP: Why I've Dedicated My Life to FFP

Kristin Hamner, FFP's DR director, and Pastor Alejandro share ideas for future projects in Batey San Joaquin.

"You help me be the pastor I've always desired to be!" 

Dear Friends,

After nine years of serving as a missionary in the Dominican Republic, I've grown accustomed to being asked questions like, "Why do you stay with FFP when you're so far from family and friends?" "With your new Master of Divinity degree wouldn't life be easier in the US?" and "Haven't you been there long enough?"

I have standard rehearsed answers that include things like completed projects...clean water...quality education...and improved medical care. But sometimes even I need to be reminded about why I stay. 

Recently my friend and colleague, Pastor Alejandro called me. A member of his congregation in Batey San Joaquin had broken a bone during construction of the community center. The man needed orthopedic surgery but neither he nor the congregation had money to cover the cost of it.

Looking for help, Pastor Alejandro's first call was to me. I contacted FFP's directors Ken Culver and Wendy Patchin who immediately agreed FFP would cover the cost of the man's surgery.

When I told Pastor Alejandro the good news, he exclaimed, "Thank you! Thank you for helping us! I feel so blessed and privileged to work with you and Foundation for Peace because you help me to be the pastor I've always desired to be!"

Tears filled my eyes. This is why I stay! 

Every single day--in ways that often go unseen--I am part of an organization that helps equip amazing pastors like Alejandro who dedicate their lives to improving life in their impoverished communities.

Yes, I could live a much easier life in the US. But the Lord has given me gifts and skills to use right here, working hand in hand with Dominican pastors to help truly transform communities. And there is no place I'd rather be.

I'm not asking you to give up your life to join me (although you're welcome to), but I am asking you to make a donation so FFP can continue saying "Yes!" to the many people who desperately need our help, like Pastor Alejandro.

Your contribution will directly help our staff build up pastors, congregations and communities. Will you please say "Yes" today? 

I thank you, and Pastor Alejandro thanks you.

Love and Blessings,
Kristin 

Kristin Hamner
National Director, Dominican Republic

FFP Announces Director of Global Missions

We are delighted to announce that Wendy Patchin is joining the Foundation for Peace staff full-time as of July 1, 2014! As Director of Global Missions, she will be responsible for working with our in-country staff and mission teams to continue enhancing the quality and efficiency of our mission programs in the Dominican Republic, Haiti and Kenya.

Wendy went on her first mission trip with Foundation for Peace in 2004 and has been on countless trips since. Since 2010, Wendy has served as Associate Director, working in various aspects of the ministry in the US and abroad, including education, personnel, and team preparation. She also serves as the Chair of the Board of Missions.

Wendy is currently an elder on session at her home church, United Presbyterian Church, Flanders, NJ. Upon her retirement in June from the Andover School District, where she is teaching mathematics to middle school students, she will dedicate herself to the FFP full-time in the US and abroad.

We hope her addition to our staff in this capacity will enable us to more completely address the needs of a growing organization and allow us to expand and improve our service to those in need.

Please join us in congratulating Wendy!

Seeing is Believing!

Even the snowy, blustery, icy grasp of winter storm Titan couldn't stop FFP's February 13-18 review trip to the Dominican Republic and Haiti! (Although taking off at JFK in the midst of the storm was nothing short of a miracle and an experience we won't soon forget!)

Yeah, we took off in this!
If God makes a way, it's going to happen!

Twice a year Foundation for Peace leaders, prospective trip participants, donors and anyone interested in FFP are invited to join us on a review trip in Haiti and the Dominican Republic. For six days we travel between the two countries visiting many current FFP projects, meeting with community leaders and scoping out prospective projects.

Meeting with Pastor Jackie and visiting Batey Algodon

Time and again trip participants express amazement that FFP has done—and is doing—so much in the two countries. Said one February trip participant, "I've been on a mission trip and thought I knew all about FFP. But seeing the scope and reach of FFP completely blew me away. I am so proud to be part of an organization that is truly making a difference!"

Said another participant, "Usually when I give money to an organization I'm never sure if the money will actually used the way I hope. Going on the FFP review trip and seeing with my own eyes how much Foundation Peace has accomplished, how communities are literally being transformed and how much hope is being shared ... I can see every single penny I donated is being put to amazing use!"

Linet Madeja was so inspired by the experience that she created a video of the February review trip. Watch it, and we promise it will be the most uplifting and inspiring 15 minutes of your day! Click and see for yourself . . .

The next FFP review trip will be November 6-11, 2014. Contact Wendy Patchin if you're interested or would like more information. The cost less than $300 (plus airfare)!

If you're interested in going on a Foundation for Peace mission trip, click to see the calendar of upcoming trips. Or contact Ken Culver if you'd like to lead a mission group from your church, organization or school. 

FFP Leaders Return from Review Trip in DR and Haiti

Last week Foundation for Peace leaders spent six days visiting current FFP projects and partner communities in Haiti and the Dominican Republic. During the trip we reviewed the progress of current projects, met with pastors and community leaders to assess future needs, and looked for new projects to bring into the FFP family.

At every community we saw the story of FFP — doing the work of God hand in hand" told over and over again. Because of the work of our tremendous short term missionaries, nursing groups and in-country staff live have been changes and communities transformed.

• At Complexe Educatif Men Nan Men in Ganthier, the local government and FFP have worked together to establish a vision that is transforming a region. Today over 500 men, women and teens are learning English and Spanish. They have hope for a better life. 

• At Despizo, nine families received keys to their brand-new FFP-built latrines, vastly improving sanitation in this remote village. 

• In La Javilla de la Cruz a pastor and his wife envisioned a church in the wilderness. God led them to FFP and together have built a church and school. This wilderness has become an oasis.  

• In Pantoja, one of FFP's first projects, the community sent their children to school in a shack. With FFP's help a beautiful. mulit-level school now educates over 500 students. A vibrant church is a beacon of light, clean water vastly improves health and soon a medical clinic help save lives. Property values have even increased because of the revitalization of this community.  

• In El Cachon, one of our newest communities, a partially finished church has become a spiritual center for the community. Children attend weekly Bible school classes ... and we were blessed to witness one of them!

• In Batey San Joaquin, one of the poorest communities in the DR, young women desperate for money prostituted themselves at a nightly disco. FFP helped the pastor and today, a community center stands where the disco once stood and the women are being trained in skills like furniture making. 

• Last year in La Victoria, one of FFP's groups were working there when a house in the village burned down, leaving one of the church's families without a possession or place to live. Responding immediately the FFP group had extra funds wired to the DR and started to build her a new house. Today this woman has a lovely new home and gives tearful, heartfelt thanks God for the blessings He has provided to her and her children through FFP. 

These are only a handful of the dozens of stories we experienced last week. We were all inspired and encouraged that the work FFP is doing really and truly is making a difference. 

Said one trip participant, "Before I came on this trip I had no idea about all of the things FFP is doing in the DR and Haiti. To see it for myself makes me feel so blessed to be part of this organization and makes me want to do all I can to help. Working hand and hand isn't just something you say, it's something you do!"

To learn more about FFP and the work we're doing, go to our website.

The next review trip is scheduled for February 13-18, 2014. You can sign up here.