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| They serve an extremely poor people group, and
need all the assistance they can get. |
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| It was supposed to have been a two week mission
trip with Jenny Tryhane of United Caribbean Trust. However,
Jenny had her hands full with food distribution in Haiti, after
the massive January, 2010, earthquake.
I felt that I did not want to hold back on blessing the children
of the Bush Negro community, and so I went on my own. |
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On this trip, 216 underwear packs were distributed.
Most of the underwear packs went to the children in the Antiochie
Church, but some were set aside for Pastor Saakie's Church in
Tjaikondre, where I had visited last year. |
| The Underwear packs consisted of three pairs of
underwear, and a Winner's gold medal for the boys, or a necklace
and bracelet for the girls. |
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I walked through the various Bush Negro communities
for three afternoons distributing the underwear.
I wanted to be able to take photos of the children in their
home environment. |
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Most houses are made of unpainted wood, that are
weathered gray. Some houses still have a mud floor, but those
that have done better may have a wooden floor, or vinyl floor
covering. |
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The children were excited to receive their
gifts. Some children sang, "We've got underwear"..."we've
got underwear", in their local dialect, called Taki-Taki.
The word "taki" means "talk" in English. |
| Alisha later told me that "three pairs of
underwear will go a long way", and that it was common to
walk through the communities and see children running around
naked. |
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| Some parents thanked us. I felt a lot of joy to
bless these children, and this was as the Holy Spirit said,
"the Joy of Giving". |
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| One afternoon, Alisha and I had to go out with
boots on, as the area was wet from the rain. It becomes very
muddy around the houses. |
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Makeshift bridges are made from
tree trunks or planks of wood. The wild grass is overgrown.
One particular house we visited was swamped with water all
around it. |
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Sometimes you actually have to GO to these
places to appreciate the conditions that other people live
in.
I plan to go back again next year with more underwear packs,
as this is needed. |
| One evening, a mother wanted to give me her baby.
The father of the child had deserted them. She had other children
to care for, and was finding it very hard. This shows how desperate
people can become, that they would give away their baby so that
it could have a better life. |
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I also had the pleasure of seeing my two girls
that I sponsor on a monthly basis - Soeliana and Indra. (Seen
here Indra and Soeliana below)
Both are eight years old now. Soeliana's mother showed me
her school report and she is doing well. Soeliana missed her
first year of school at age six, as there were not enough
places for children in the schools, and so some do not get
to go. Another school is needed in this area. |
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On this trip, I also had discussions with Pastor
Cheryl about creating an "Egg Fund".
(Seen here the existing chicken coop) |
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We would enclose an area of land in her backyard, build
a large chicken coop to hold about one hundred layer chickens.
(Seen here members of the church helping to clear the
land in preparation.)
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| The profits from the sale of these eggs would
be split 50/50 -half would supplement the Oron's and Alisha's
income, as they would be doing the work, and the other half
would be used to assist the children where needed for school
clothes, school supplies, and food. |
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As I am writing this, the fence has been erected
and painted, and the foundation of the first chicken coop is
to be cast.
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| My goal is to share the Love of Jesus with these
children; to bring HOPE in the midst of poverty, and to improve
the quality of their lives. |
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Many thanks to those who contributed to the
Underwear Packs!
Your help is greatly appreciated. |
MINISTRY NEEDS
1. CHILD SPONSORSHIP is available for US $30.00 (Bds $60.00) a
month. This pays for food, school clothes, school supplies, and
school petty fees as needed. Children available for sponsorship
can be seen on my website www.lettersofencouragement.com or www.unitedcaribbean.com.
2. Donations of NEW UNDERWEAR for girls and boys, from baby to 12
years old.
3. Donations to assist with building chicken coops, buying chicken
feed and chickens to start this fund-raising project.
4. PRAYER!
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