Morgantown Hearts United with Haiti will hold its 2nd Annual Harvest Banquet fundraiser on Oct. 16 at 4 p.m. at The Barn at Flying Hills, Route 10 at 10 Village Center Dr., Reading.
The featured speaker is Paul McGuinness, author of the book, “Walk This Way.”
“He is an expert on ministering cross-culturally in a responsible way so that all may benefit,” said Crystal Funk of Narvon, founder and president of Hearts United with Haiti, a non-profit.
The fundraising event will also include a silent auction, music and a slide show presentation.
Hearts United with Haiti was “born” out of Funk’s desire to establish a relational ministry, walking with those where God leads. Funk has conducted extensive work traveling to Haiti for the last six and a half years. Her idea is to serve as a “link”, working alongside the Haitian nationals with the goal of working with them toward independence.
They pray for opportunities to reflect Jesus and to grow together in relationship with Him. They provide support through: prayer, physical labor, finances, a “listening ear” and/or mentorship growing in ministry that serves the orphanage in Port au Prince, places in the countryside, and the community of Carrefour.
One of their dreams included opening a Center in Carrefour for community outreach, discipleship, job training, etc. to reach neighbors and provide a place to offer job training, family events (movies, family fun days) and community education classes.
Through funds raised at last year’s banquet and a fund drive that dream came true.
“After last year’s banquet we were able to rent a building right next door to our mission base in Haiti and this past summer have already held a few events,” she said. “We are providing jobs for two community people who work there with pieces of plastic thrown on the street as trash. After washing, sanitizing, and cutting them, they iron them into pieces to sell to a small business PeaceCycle in Port au Prince that sews the pieces into tote bags, purses, and other products.”
They were also able to send three women to a trade school to learn how to make bracelets and other items that they sell to visiting mission teams.
“I also bring bracelets back to the USA to sell. Profits from their sales gets split in half. Half of the money goes directly to the woman who made the bracelet, and half goes into a bank account to hold for them until needed. So far all three women have over $200 US in their bank account.”
One of Funk’s favorite programs is the Nanny program at an orphanage in Port au Prince that provides employment to help the nanny’s family and provides teaching and personal care to the orphans. Prior to them helping the orphanage hire and train nannies, there was no one supervising the children. The staff was busy working, cooking, and cleaning the facility which left the 70 children to just run around and monitor themselves.
Now with the Nannies an illness is noticed and treated sooner so there is less sickness. The children do better in school. The first year the Nannies were there more than 60 percent of the children advanced a school grade as opposed to less than 40 percent the prior year. Last year only two children did not progress.
Sept. 20 Funk returns to their remote school in the Haitian countryside to witness their first regular English class. There are 140 children at the school and seven classes. Funds raised help to pay teacher salaries and buy food so that the children have one hot meal per day.
“But more importantly, we are able to bring out experts and consultants to talk to the locals about sustainability. Their goal is to raise enough so as not be dependent upon outside assistance for food, teacher salaries, operating expenses, facility maintenance, etc.,” said Funk.”They continue to raise goats and crops to sell at market and we have gotten a quote for solar electricity so they will not need to buy gas for a generator.”
These are some of their biggest success stories since they started.
“Funds raised at this year’s banquet will be used to continue these programs and for new projects that God leads us to. Our board is very diligent when spending funds and strive to partner immediate relief with a long-term plan for not needing assistance in the future. This is not “touch-and-go” ministry but rather, partnership and our staff of Haitian nationals monitors each of our programs regularly,” said Funk.
There is no charge to attend the event but it is limited to 150 people. Pre-register online at http://www.heartsunitedwithhaiti.org/news-events.html.
For more information visit Facebook: Hearts United with Haiti, the Blog at www.heartsunitedwithhaiti.blogspot.com or call 610-286-0612 or email at heartsunitedwithhaiti@gmail.com.