As some of you current renters and owners may know, I have been going to a little town of Grand Goave in Haiti, about 30 miles from the earthquake center, 8 times in January over the past 10 years with a group from my home church, Jamestown Church of Christ, Jamestown OH which is a strong supporter of Lifeline Christian Mission of Westerville OH (web site: www.lifeline.org). This organization has their main compound there and work teams like ours from all over the country can go there and assist in the Lords work. They have many churches and schools in the surrounding area and an orphanage in Porto Prince. Had we not cancelled going this year because of the economy, I could have very well been there. I thank all of you who called/emailed me in concern. I know everyone’s hearts and prayers are going out to this folk and I thank you for that as well. Knowing the poverty and terrible living conditions in “good times”, I shudder at the thought of how bad it must be now. Thankfully, none of the Haitians that I personally know were seriously hurt, and the work team that was there at the time has returned home safely with only one lady sustaining some broken ribs. Needless to say, my church brothers and sisters are just waiting to hear when the compound can receive teams again so that we can hopefully go and help with the enormous job of cleanup and rebuilding.
One of the unique things about Lifeline is that they offer a wonderful child sponsorship program and that is how I initially got hooked as you can see from the above picture of my 5 year old little boy Wold Send. This is my second child, my first that I had for 8 years graduated (16 yrs old) and had to leave the program. Contrary to other organizations, Lifeline offers anyone who comes to Haiti on a work trip the possibility of meeting with their sponsored child (children) with the help of a local translator. It’s like having a grandchild that you can only see from time to time. Of course they offer everyone that sponsors the opportunity to send small gifts and letter/cards which are then handed out by work teams. What is nice is that you can first hand see the work of your monthly support which goes for your child’s schooling including all their supplies and school uniform as well as a hot main meal every school day. It is such a blessing to see children graduate the program and go out and become productive citizens.
One of the main objectives of this organization besides educating the kids spiritually and academically is to provide medical and humanitarian services. They also have a wonderful house building ministry which over the past 6 years has provided about 150 homes to the neediest (12 x 24 ft concrete block structure with stucco finish and a slab floor, split into a front and rear room) which all are still standing after the earthquake.
Please visit Lifeline’s web site: www.lifeline.org for more information about all they do. It is a great organization doing great work for our Lord.
Have a blessed day.
Phil. Keller
