BY DR. JOHN SULLIVAN
EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR-TREASURER
FLORIDA BAPTIST CONVENTION

Haiti project continues to offer hope

Desperation must be among the most agonizing facts of life. To be in a position that offers little or no hope; to be dependent upon someone else for your very survival; to be so poor that you do not register on the radar screen of most benevolent organizations because they see no hope for you; to be isolated from the world that could help but is hindered by government regulation. This is how I feel about Haiti. They are desperate.

Dennis Wilbanks, associate director of the Partnership Missions Department, returned from Haiti just before Christmas. He has been spearheading our recovery efforts there in the aftermath of Tropical Storm Noel.

He reported that the Florida Baptist Convention has completed a fourth feeding of an estimated 32,063 pounds of rice, distributed through 150 churches to 2,140 families, providing meals for 27,820 persons. During our six weeks of response, Florida Baptists provided 133,563 pounds of rice to 8,620 families which fed 119,820 Haitians.

I am so very grateful for Dennis and his ministry to Haiti on behalf of our Lord through the ministry of Florida Baptists.

In addition to the feeding effort, we have begun an effort to help pastors in rebuilding their homes. Because of the generosity of churches and individuals giving to help Haiti, Florida Baptists were able to help 24 pastors and their families. The average assistance given to each pastor was approximately $1,500.

This all has been possible because of your gracious spirit of giving. You are the finest people in the world. God bless you for being a blessing to those so desperate.

We are now exploring ways to get clothing to Haiti. Many of our Baptist families lost all they had in the flooding caused by the storm. Jacksonville layperson Jim Tatum is working with us to acquire clothing. The Florida Baptist Convention has a warehouse where we stockpile these items. We have clothing to send. Pray for an economical and quick way to “make it happen.”

Within the next few weeks, I will begin a series of articles on the Cooperative Program: “SBC Lifeline to Missions.” I hope to give you information and inspiration concerning this God-given, mission-driven process of missionary enterprise.

SULLIVAN'S PREVIOUS ARTICLES

You may contact Dr. John Sullivan at 1-800-226-8584, ext. 3015, or by e-mail.