End of Year Giving Opportunities
- dbensonpurposefulp
- Oct 10, 2022
- 8 min read
Updated: Dec 2, 2022
Table of contents
transitional support Ministry
Mack was raised at Good Shepherd Orphanage. From a young age he desired to serve in Haiti as a reflector of Christ. But there have been many obstacles. First and foremost is the hopelessness that faces every orphan after ‘timing out’ of an orphanage. This is the reason Purposeful Pathways was initially founded - to provide training and transitional support for disadvantaged youths, toward independent adult living and service.
But Mack had additional challenges. First, a learning disability prevented him from completing school, and second he was born with a heart defect that causes him to tire easily. Even though Purposeful Pathways met with Mack as far back as 2014 and made many efforts to find medical treatment for the heart condition and a path for him toward independence, we were unsuccessful. By 2019 Mack ‘timed out’ of the orphanage and was living on the street with no possibilities.
Purposeful Pathways as relational partner continued to seek a path that met the organizational mission of transition toward independence. Eventually we lost contact with Mack. But in mid-September of this year, during a weekly administrative meeting, the DuParc Farm Ministry leaders asked us to add a 'cleaner' to the operational wages budget.
On the farm, a 'cleaner' would make sure the bathroom facilities (bucket-flushed toilets, latrine, squatty potty, etc.) are appropriately and daily cleaned. This person would carry water from the well to the living area to keep 50 gallon tanks full for bucket showering (no running water). In addition this person would wash floor surfaces and sweep/clean exterior areas of tropical debris and rid the vicinity of dangerous pests. This person would also prepare cooking areas, fetch charcoal and help cleanup after meals. All of these functions are important to avoid heightened health risks associated with tropical regions and poverty.
Mack immediately came to my mind to fill the position of cleaner. I mentioned his name to the farm administrator and found that Mack had also come to his mind, since they had grown up together at the Good Shepherd Orphanage. Haitian friends were sent into the streets to find Mack. When Mack was found there was great joy! A room was prepared and Mack has since moved to the farm. He now has his own room, a job as cleaner and a monthly wage. Mack immediately began serving in the church ministry and is on his way to independent living and Christ-centered service!
It has been a privilege to be part of Mack’s life in the joy and the pain! God had a wise, albeit heartbreaking path for Mack in the lean years, and He has a wise plan now. Mack is a shining example to all the donors, supporters, and workers of Purposeful Pathways – that the work is being blessed and bearing fruit! To learn more about sponsoring a young Haitian Christian toward personal independence and service, click here.
DuParc Farm MINISTRY
With Your whole being
"Whatever you do, work at it with your whole being, for the Lord and not for men, because you know that you will receive an inheritance from the Lord as your reward."
Colossians 3:23,24
That verse exemplifies the spirit seen at work on the farm. Not anger, not complaints, not despair -- only service work, doing whatever God makes possible with their whole being, with joy, and with thanksgiving in the results.
Work for Food Program
At this time the church on the farm is focusing heavily on providing food to the starving. Food is being packaged and 'paid' in exchange for work, to those able to work. Those unable to work receive food packets for free. Food packets contain a mixture of farm produce, locally sourced food, and Sus Manos Gleaners food. All food goes with the gospel message and when possible, a hearty meal is shared following Sunday services. Church services are full and overflowing! To learn about several ways to support the Work For Food program during the Haiti crisis, click here.
Corn Meal and Chamn Chamn
The recent corn crop was plentiful and has been a blessing to the community while food is scarce and sold at grossly inflated prices. Last year a donor sponsored the purchase of a grinder. Check out the video to see how the grinder is at work! Most of the corn is ground for corn meal and/or to make Haitian Chamn Chamn.
Haitian Chamn Chamn Recipe
Ground Corn
Ground Peanut (grown on the farm)
Sugar
Yum!
The Chamn Chamn and the Corn Meal are shared throughout the community. Prior to the recent troubles in Haiti, the farm was selling these products at the market. However, since the road to the market is blocked, and the people around the farm are starving, the corn products are shared through the Work for Food program, or given to those unable to work, or sold at pre-inflation prices to those who have currency. As soon as this corn was picked, a new crop was planted - it's already coming up!
Goat Project
The DuParc farm had been abandoned in 2011and remained so until 2021 when Purposeful Pathways teamed up with two other organizations to develop the farm. As you might guess, after 10 years of disuse, many aspects of the farm operations, such as the goat enclosure, were broken down. Enclosing about an acre of land, the cinder block goat enclosure walls housed a large goat herd prior to 2011.
Thanks to project donors, the goat enclosure walls were repaired, and a new weather shelter and water basin were built. Late this summer, goats were purchased and the veterinarian began vaccinating and doing regular health checks. The goats are currently very healthy and eating their way through the overgrown underbrush of the enclosure. At the same time, the farm workers are busy preparing a pasture area for goat grazing in what was formerly a soccer field. See the pasture diagram, which shows how the pastures will be expanded as the herd grows. The first breeding season has begun and soon more adult goats will be purchased. Someday soon the goats will provide protein for eating and milk for human babies whose mom's are unable to breastfeed. FYI: Baby formula is not available to, or affordable for most Haitian mothers, commonly malnourished themselves.
To sponsor the next big project at the farm - a kitchen/bakery, click here.
alpha and omega MINISTRY
labors are not in vain
"My beloved brethren, be steadfast, unmovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, forasmuch as you know that your labor is not in vain in the Lord."
Corinthians 15:58
During the crisis in Haiti An Orphan's Prayer Christian School, led by Alpha and Omega Ministries, has been closed most days. Although the staff and students are unable to meet safely most school days, the school and church team leaders have continued to work.
Classroom building and repairs
One initial task for those able to safely travel to the church/school site, was classroom and church repair. In the tropical weather, wood structures decay quickly. Although there are plans for a permanent school building, the Lord has not yet provided all the funds. We await His time! To learn more about the capital building project, click here.
new ways to minister
Since it is only intermittently possible for staff and students to travel to school, the church and school leadership teams are hosting three events per week. The purpose of these events is to continue the spread of the gospel and to provide food to the starving population. The USA budgetary oversight team approved the use of the school's monthly food budget to be used in modified service to the community. The Alpha and Omega leadership chose 3 ways to do this.
First: One day a week a Vacation Bible School is held for children able to travel safely to the church. They spend the day learning Bible stories, singing, praying, crafting, and sharing a meal.
Second: On a different day of the week, food is distributed to those in most dire need. This could be staff or student families, or others living around the church and school.
Third: Last but not least, food is distributed to the elderly in the community, one day a week. The food is a mixture of locally sourced, and Sus Manos Gleaners food.
Under normal circumstances the food budget covers a full meal 5 days a week to about 240 students and staff. Although steep inflation has reduced the amount that can be purchased and shared, it still accounts for a huge blessing. Alpha and Omega leaders report that they are certain there is some 'loaves and fishes' duplication happening! It is discouraging that the school cannot be in regular session, but God's people are still working, the gospel is still spreading, and Grace in the form of food is being shared. The work being done is not in vain in the Lord!
To sponsor a permanent building for the Christian school at Alpha and Omega ministries click here.
Support Opportunities
Prayer
Our Haitian administrators consistently make three simple, but profound, prayer requests.
that God will "direct our steps" (Proverbs 16:9)
that God will "establish the work of our hands". (Psalm 90:17)
that God will "provide all that is necessary to accomplish His will". (Philippians 4:19)
Sponsor an individual
Jameson - Diesel Mechanic School
Jameson is finished High School and is waiting to begin a 3-yr. program in Diesel Mechanics, which costs a total of $9000 USD to cover tuition, housing, transportation and food. A sponsor for Jameson could make a one-time designated gift, or a monthly commitment of $250 USD for 36 months.
Sander - Electrical Engineer
Sander is nearly finished High School and is preparing to begin a program in Electrical Engineering, which costs a total of $12,000 USD to cover tuition, housing, transportation and food. A sponsor for Sander could make a one-time designated gift, or a monthly commitment of $250 USD for 48 months.
Jean Woody - Media Arts
Jean Woody is nearly finished High School and is preparing to begin a 4-yr. program in Media Arts, which costs a total of $12,000 USD to cover tuition, housing, transportation and food. A sponsor for Jean Woody could make a one-time designated gift, or a monthly commitment of $250 USD for 48 months.
Sponsor a duparc FARM project
At the DuParc Farm Ministry a kitchen/bakery is the next project. The project will provide baked bread in the vicinity of the farm where none currently exists, and other unique and necessary Haitian culinary specialties, to provide nutritional balance. A large majority of Haitian households only have a grill outside their home, which limits possibilities for nutritional balance. The kitchen project on the farm needs an industrial sized oven & mixer, refrigeration, beefed up power sources, working surfaces, and related baking and cooking supplies and utensils. Samuel, pictured here, has completed culinary school thanks to a sponsor and is ready to serve! It is estimated that the project will cost $15,000 USD. Support this project with any designated amount here.
sponsor alpha & Omega building project
Every year, the church and school structures at Alpha and Omega ministries are repaired or replaced due to wood rot and vermin. The current classroom spaces diminish the quality of the education that can be offered. Dirt floors, critters, distractions, discomfort, overcrowding, and noise are a few of the problems. Haitian students have so many
other, external obstacles to overcome when trying to achieve educational success. A comfortable, safe, and conducive learning environment would remove many of the obstacles internal to the school. Alpha and Omega Ministries has already acquired land ownership near the church building to house the pictured floor plan, in 2 stories.
The services of an architect, engineer, and general contractor have already resulted in a blueprint and construction quote of $200,000 USD. The building fund has $32,000 USD already and a donor has pledged a $50,000 matching gift for donations made through May of 2023. All donations designated to Alpha and Omega Ministries in the remainder of 2022 and throughout 2023 will become a part of the building fund. To learn about this, contact dbenson.purposefulpathways@gmail.com. To donate to this fund, click here.
Sponsor/volunteer meal packing events
One of Purposeful Pathways regular supporters is hosting a Food Packing Event at their local church on December 3rd, 2022. Interested parties could volunteer to pack food (in Mississippi) OR consider a financial gift to cover the food and logistics cost. All the meals packed at this event will be distributed by DuParc Farm Ministry. To learn more about hosting a food packing event in your area, click here. Another way to invest in feeding the communities we serve is through volunteering (Michigan) or donating to Sus Manos Gleaners.
Collection and shipping
Individuals interested in supporting shipments of necessary goods to DuParc Farm Ministry or Alpha and Omega ministry can be involved as a contributor to regular shipments.
Simply order from this Amazon Wish List and the products will be drop-shipped to partners that pack and ship to the Haitian churches at Alpha and Omega, and DuParc Farm, regularly.
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