Haiti (MNN) — As you gather with Family and friends for Christmas this year, think about Haiti.
Christmas party
On Christmas Day, For Haiti with Love brings hundreds of kids together for a party. Because of the poverty, many Haitians don’t celebrate Christmas, says Eva Dehart, so their party doesn’t interfere with family celebrations. “We get about 500 kids invited to our headquarters and ensure they get a full meal. So they leave with their tummies full, and they each get at least one new gift.”
FHWL staff tells kids that the gifts symbolize God’s gift to us. They take the opportunity to talk about the birth of Jesus, His death and resurrection, and His continuing work in the world.
DeHart says they invite children from the poorest families. “Because they don’t get anything. This is a way to make them feel special. When you’re at the bottom of the poverty list, and you watch everybody else getting all of the benefits of society, so to speak, and your parents are poor, you just get passed over for everything.”
“This is a chance to have a party for those children only. The well-gooders can have their own party.”
Pray many children will experience the love of Jesus through this celebration.
FHWL typically has a fundraiser for the event in August. They weren’t able to hold the dinner this year, but DeHart says, “People sent notes that they missed having the party. They consider it a reunion with people they wouldn’t normally cross paths with otherwise. And with those lovely notes, they went ahead and sent the checks. So we ended up with the same budget for the party we normally have. God is good.”
The header photo shows For Haiti with Love serving Christmas Dinner in Haiti. (Photo courtesy FHWL)
