November 1-10, 2014
“For I know the plans that I have for you, declares the Lord, plans for welfare and not for calamity to give you a future and a hope.” – Jeremiah 29:11
Poor women living in Haiti have a rough life.
They have to walk for miles with heavy loads on their heads to go to the river for washing.
They cook over charcoal fires.
They must care for their large families every day and they often ask, “How am I going to feed my family today?” Haitian women say that they are treated like “donkeys” carrying heavy burdens. They never get even a small bottle of perfume or a pretty scarf for their birthday. There is no recognition for the many long hours, long days and long years they give to their families, and their husbands often abuse them.
Lisa Rogers and Alisha Ballew from Open Hand, Inc. joined up with Nancy Rinker to give special recognition to these women.
They created a special conference with a theme to let these women know how important they are, and how beautiful they are in the eyes of Jesus. This conference was called “Bloom for Jesus!”
Even the poorest ladies from the old village of Le Tant dug out their only church dress and came for the conference.
Everyone got a gift bag filled with pin-on flowers, candy, scarves, a new blouse and much more.
Daniella and Durkje modeled the flowers and scarves.
This was a fantastic program for Haitian women living in the Fond Parisien area. Open Hand, Inc. also provided interest-free or low interest loans to help some Haitians start their own business.
The big “Bloom for Jesus Conference” was held in our Miracle Village Church. Nancy Rinker was one of the first guest speakers!
Wow! Nancy was awesome!
The leaders decorated the church with lots of blooming flowers.
Each woman attending the training session received a gift bag of goodies.
These ladies put a wonderful program together to teach Haitian women about operating their own businesses. This opportunity empowers poor Haitian women to begin the process of self-sustainability.
The workshop taught these future business owners how to display their products, how to sell them, and how to build and maintain customer relationships for future business.
These new business owners will rent booths in our new Grand Miracle Market. This will allow them to have a safe, clean and heavy trafficked area to conduct business.
Once the participants completed the course work, each one received a certificate at our graduation ceremony. Everyone was so excited. There is no marketplace in Haiti that offers training on how to operate on a small budget and how to treat customers. What an incredible blessing for the poor who are seeking jobs.
What a week it was! As Bobby always says, “Love is something you do.” Alisha, Lisa and Nancy showed the love of Christ all week. Now, these Haitian women are ready to start a new business and help themselves. We thank Alisha and Lisa from Open Hand, Inc. for empowering these women.
Blessings,
Sherry