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A QUARTERLY NEWSLETTER FOR OUR FAITHFUL PATRONS • ISSUE NO. 20 |
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Out of my comfort zone… by Mike Mueller, Executive Director |
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Have you ever traveled someplace, stopped to get something to eat, and find that you don't know or understand what the menu offerings mean, that you don't recognize the food? When this happens to me, usually at an Asian or Hispanic restaurant (both which I really enjoy) I depend on the photo next to the name, or on the English description of the menu item. When I am overseas and I do not have this option I must depend on the good will of my local traveling companion or host. This is when I am most out of my comfort zone – when I depend on someone else to decide for me what I am about to eat. In January, our Haiti Manager, Enoch Firmin came to stay with my wife and I for the next 8 months. In the first two months we have learned many things from each other. Enoch is too kind and polite to say if he is uncomfortable with the food we offer him, but I can tell when he really enjoys something which is “just like home”. Occasionally I will buy him a ripe Mango and watch him enjoy it the way a native Haitian will – savoring every morsel and drop. Then there are the times we go out to an American fast food eatery, and he looks at all of the options, especially the drive thru menu's, and wonders just what they really are like. I describe and he makes a choice based upon my words… comfort zone coming closer based upon trust and experience. |
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As each of us attempt to help people it may cause us to leave our comfort zone. Then as we progress in helping, the comfort zone comes closer. We learn from each other and realize more about what is “just like home” to each of us. This newsletter is dedicated to helping us all develop broader comfort zones as we progress in helping the many different people groups get quality seed for food production. And, I invite you to join Enoch and I as we come closer to our common comfort zone – Jesus Christ. Thank you for your continued prayers and support. |
My first two months in US Tande ak w è se de. A wild translation of this Haitian proverb would be: Hearing and Seeing are distinct. I thought I knew everything about the United State from Hollywood shows and movies. How many people around the world think the same? What makes the US the first country of the world in many aspects of life, while Haiti , my country, so different, void and hopeless today? Here I am in the center of my adventure since January the 11 th: 7:00 pm , MFI landed at Fort Pierce , USA . It was so chilly outside the DC-3 that I wanted to head back in to enjoy the blanket I had on board. Therefore, captivated by the lights and activities nearby, I was tempted to see more, and more, and more… Why is it so hard to make a living back home I was wondering? Little by little the work experience is teaching me why. In the US people work hard and don't waste time because time is money. They envision abundance, not subsistence. That's why life comes fast. The country is politically stable. The LAW reinforces Discipline. Haiti is politically unstable, people work for subsistence, and they mostly don't worry about time lost in unnecessary tasks. The LAW is on paper. Parents failed teaching children to use their hands and be strong worker. The new generation is disoriented. As Manager for Hope Seeds Haiti, I am concerned by the increasing number of malnourished families in the country, the discouragement they are going through and advice they need from the Bible to revitalize God's creation around them. The market system is so well organized in the States and works so well, I am inspired to create a network by grouping many vegetable gardeners as a cooperative in the Northern area of Haiti . This effort will increase family hand labor and generate income. t's challenging to meet the primary need (food) in a near future. With courage and strength from above the daily bread from the Lord's Prayer won't be a dream “ Manje nou bezwen an ba nou li jodi- a”: Our daily bread is given us today. Everything is possible with God. |
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“Hope Seeds” after the earthquake Hello everyone at Hope seeds There really is 'Hope' in the earthquake devastated area of Alai in northern Pakistan . Thanks to you the people were still picking tomatoes right up until heavy snow on Jan 1st. Just before it snowed they harvested mountains of green tomatoes for indoor ripening & back in October they sun dried lots of them too. Both varieties of tomatoes 'Roma" & 'The Duke' continued fruiting in temperatures down to minus 2 C Astonishing! They were still harvesting Rhubarb Chard, Russian Kale & Giant Southern Mustard until the snow & harvested so many carrots ( average weight 500g) that they had enough to sell some in the market....a completely new idea for
them. They have saved seeds of tomatoes, chard, turnips & have set aside the best plants of kale & mustard for seed collection in the spring + left the largest carrots (New Kuroda) for seed also.
I felt sure that you would like to know of their happiness & profound joy at the result of the seeds you so kindly provided. |
Hope Seeds has adopted five "Nick-names" for the funding options of this ministry - all essential and important assets toward the sending of quality seed. If you have questions or interest in these please call or email our office. |
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The Good Seed – All financial gifts All donors who give from the generosity of their hearts toward the overall work and ministry of Hope Seeds. |
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The Master's Gardeners – The Master's Gardeners for Hope Seeds is comprised of individuals or churches who choose to invest $1,000 or more each year to the operational expense of this ministry. |
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Building Blocks – Dedicated “Offertunity” Special gifts dedicated to special projects which expand the ministry of Hope Seeds. |
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Deep Roots – Planned gifts for the future Endowment fund gifts which work for salary support of our international workers. |
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Memorials, Gift Cards, and Honorariums Gifts which come from honoring the memory of special people in our lives via financial donations, alternative gift cards, and/or honorariums for Hope Seeds facilities. |
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D ifferent I ndividuals V alue E ach other R egardless of S kin, I nteligence, T alent, or Y ears.
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When God created all things, Diversity was part of Creation. So shall we value the Diversity of Mankind. In Acts 10: 34 -35 the Apostle Peter states: “I now realize how true it is that God does not show favoritism but accepts men from every nation who hear him and do what is right.”
Enoch Firmin with neighborhood boys of diverse age |
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