The Christmas FISH

While I was doing my routine Christmas list in my house, I asked my 5-year-old son, Onesimus, what would you like for Christmas? He stated he needs an IPAD. Jokingly, I told him that “Papa Noel Pa non vole” Which is translated, as “Santa is not a thief”. It was not a nice answer to a 5 year old but he got the point. He understood that daddy could not afford an expensive toy that would last a day. By the way, most Christmas gifts do not get played for more than a week. Many parents can relate to this fact.

When my brothers and I were growing up, my mother would buy our school supplies, clothes and things that seem important in her eyes for us before thinking about toys. My mother never bought us toys for Christmas, but my grandmother usually did. Bless my grandmother’s heart. My mother used to say, children the only thing I can give you is a piece of education. She was right. She gave me a long- lasting gift, which I am very thankful of. I celebrate my mother’s gift every day in my life. Christmas is the celebration of the life of Jesus Christ. Christmas seasons reminds mankind of God’s special gift to humanity. Jesus Christ is the gift that cannot be broken or outdated, but free to those who want to accept it.

One author stated” While there is a beginning and an end to our seasons and days, there is comfort in knowing the love of God has no boundaries. The joy of God has no limits, and the peace of God is as everlasting as the life he has given us through the gift of his son.”

Many people around this time have already bought or are still buying Christmas presents for their loves one, children, grandchildren, friends, coworkers, spouses, and missionaries. As you consider your gift giving, I would like you to try to answer those following questions. Is this Christmas gift worth the money? How long will it last? What will be the long-term benefit of this gift to the receiving party? I do not usually think in those terms when I am out doing my Christmas shopping, but whenever we fail to think critically about our decisions, we become slaves to our own emotions.

Many people around the world, especially in United States, make Christmas boxes to send to the needy in Haiti. Also, most of the organizations in Haiti have a feeding program incorporated within them. As I think about those well- intended, caring and loving organizations and friends who love Haiti and my fellow brothers and sisters, I am so thankful for their love and compassion. I was born and raised in Haiti and I had the privilege to work very closely with many organizations.

Yet still, I try to find an answer in my mind to those questions that have bugged me for years. Does giving out food to the needy help? Does giving food eradicate poverty? Does handing out bag of rice bring dignity to the receiving family? Some may argue it gives dignity, but I don’t think it does. I have yet to see how giving food to people helps them in a long term. I want to invite my friends and sponsors to help in the effort to help the unfortunate of Haiti with a Christmas Fish. A Christmas fish is a fish that can be multiplied to feed a multitude.

I am not referring to performing a miracle, but in a sense I am. The old saying "Teach me how to fish instead of giving me a fish “is relevant in Haitian Bible College focus to train the unfortunate of Haiti.

For example, a bag of rice costs $460 H approximately $70 US in Haiti. Wouldn’t it be nice to give him or her $460 to start a small business to be able to feed his or her family? This is called empowering the unfortunate. Give them the power to live with dignity instead of lining them up for a bag of rice. Jesus did not feed everybody he met but taught and educated every one he came in contact with. I am just wondering what would happen to those missions if poverty were to disappear in Haiti for one day.

In that spirit, Haitian living Bridge (HLB) will try to tackle many projects in the year of 2013. Empowering the unfortunate is one of the projects that HLB hopes to kick in next year. Empowering the unfortunate is giving a Christmas Fish to the HBC students to start a small business after graduation. I believe this project will bring dignity to the family and increase the Haitian economy. I know you may have already spent all your money on Christmas presents for your loved ones, but if you have not yet done all of your shopping, please consider helping this campaign.

Can you buy a gift for a dollar cheaper for your son, your daughter or your friends in order to contribute to our campaign “Empowering the unfortunate of Haiti”? No gift is too small. I have no doubt a small gift towards this campaign will change the life of the receiving family and potentially keep money in the pockets of those donors because they will not have to worry about sending another bag of rice to those families in 2014.

I am very thankful for HBC board members, prayer warriors, donors, sponsors, Haitian staff, and friends around the world because they are currently investing in the campaign of empowering the unfortunate of Haiti. HBC glorifies God by training young Haitians who had no other way to an education. Friends you have made this possible. Education is one of the ways that can change the course of

poverty in countries, like Haiti, Congo, Somalia, Ethiopia and many other poor countries around the world. Because of HBC training, two of the HBC students are now earning a small income as Basic English teachers in Haiti. Not only, do they have a chance to earn an income that probably could not have happened without HBC work, but those students also have an opportunity to share the beautiful story of Jesus Christ to a multitude. This is The Christmas fish.

Here are ways you can contribute to this campaign

1) Tell a friend or a neighbor about this campaign2) Pray for one student by name3) Commit to raise money for one student “ to help him or her begin a small

business”4) Send a check to HBC with a notation for “ Empowering the unfortunate of

Haiti”

All donations are tax deductibles. Checks for this campaign can be mailed to:

Haitian Living Bridge 2930 south Wall Ave. Joplin, MO 64804. Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!

I pray that you have a year full of Joy. Remember to give to your love ones the ultimate gift of life; Jesus Christ. Remember IPAD, cars, cell phones, jewelry, bag of rice, houses and toys will not make it to heaven, but our soul might. This depends on whether or not we accept the ultimate gift of God in our life.

Friends, make sure that your neighbor, spouse, children and grandchildren receive the ultimate gift of life before too late. None of us has the guarantee that we will see the New Year.

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!