PROMISED PROVISION MINISTRIES
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

WHAT IS PROMISED PROVISION MINISTRIES’ PURPOSE IN HAITI?
WHY HAITI?
HOW DID HAITI’S NEED BECOME SO GREAT?
WHAT IS PROMISED PROVISION MINISTRIES DOING TO ADDRESS THE OVERWHELMING NEED IN HAITI?
WHAT TYPES OF PROJECTS IS PROMISED PROVISION MINISTRIES INVOLVED WITH IN HAITI?
WHAT CAN I DO TO HELP PROMISED PROVISION MINISTRIES SERVE GOD IN HAITI?
HOW CAN I PRAY SPECIFICALLY FOR THE COUNTRY OF HAITI AND FOR PROMISED PROVISION MINISTRIES?
WAYS TO PRAY FOR PROMISED PROVISION MINISTRIES & CHRISTIAN HOME FOR GIRLS

WHAT IS PROMISED PROVISION MINISTRIES’ PURPOSE IN HAITI?
First and foremost, to glorify God.  Period.

To glorify God by uplifting and empowering Christian Haitians through multi-faceted spiritual, educational, vocational, medical and social programs designed to enable them to become self-sufficient and break the cycle of poverty.

WHY HAITI?
The answer is simple – it is where God called us to serve Him.  In answering His call, we found spiritual and physical need there that we had never known before.

Haiti is the poorest nation in the Western Hemisphere (our entire half of the planet!).  In 1804, through revolution, it became the world’s first free black Republic (democracy).  Its freedoms were won through revolution by a people whose ancestors had been brought there as slaves.  While these revolutionaries strongly desired freedom, overall there was a lack of education and knowledge necessary to effectively run the government.  The result has been an on-going series of take-over attempts and coups that have left the country in the hands of whoever is able to obtain and wield the most power at any given point in time.  When such power struggles prevail in a country, the government’s interests are prone to become self-centered and common people suffer. 

HOW DID HAITI’S NEED BECOME SO GREAT?
It is our founder’s personal opinion that, in many ways, out of true compassion and love, many people and governments throughout the world have come to treat the Haitian people as helpless individuals unable to fend for or provide for themselves.  Trade agreements established in the 1980’s fostered this sentiment as a large influx of imported goods of all types reduced the people’s dependence on their own productivity.

Even many of the farmer’s who once cultivated vast farms of vegetables, and fruits and the wonderful brown rice that had once been a dietary staple, stopped producing their own food because people began to prefer the imported food goods.  Importation on a grand scale pretty much eliminated a personal sense of ownership over productivity.  Whenever someone ceases to be able to enjoy a sense of accomplishment and pride in what they do and what they can produce self-esteem and motivation suffer tremendously.

The country also suffers from ignorance (both secular and spiritual), poor political management, and a history of its people being given what others think they need.  We believe it is far better to teach people how to analyze their own situations, assess their own needs, systematically and efficiently work their way through to plausible solutions, and produce for themselves. 

Below are some statistics that reveal just how impoverished Haiti is:

• Haiti ranks as the most "food insecure" country in the Western Hemisphere, and the second most insecure in the world.
• The majority of the population does not have ready access to safe drinking water, adequate medical care, or sufficient food.
• A Haitian's life expectancy at birth is 54 years.
• The mortality rate for Haitian children under five years of age is 13 times greater than that for children in the United States.
• The Gross National Product per capita is estimated at $370, although this figure disguises tremendous variations in income distribution.  In fact, per capita income of more than 80% of the population is estimated at less than $150 annually.
• Few social assistance programs exist and the lack of employment opportunities remains one of the most critical problems facing the economy, along with soil erosion and political instability.

(Sources of statistics: USAID; 1998 State of the World's Children; UNICEF; the 1996 World Factbook; Haiti Consular Information Sheet).

WHAT IS PROMISED PROVISION MINISTRIES DOING TO ADDRESS THE OVERWHELMING NEED IN HAITI?
We prayerfully considered how best to make inroads into such dismal circumstances with the extremely limited resources currently at our disposal and decided to start with young girls.  All over the world, we are seeing women making a difference in their communities.  Perhaps this is because, as mothers or future mothers, they are motivated by the vision and hope they have for the future of the children.

Bible Study Encourages Spiritual Growth
It is our hope to raise the girls in our care (and eventually, the boys!) to a level of spiritual confidence and educational/vocational preparation that will enable them to confidently accept the challenges of raising Godly children, to establish and successfully operate productive businesses that will stand as testaments to Godly principals, to set Godly examples to all who interact with them, and to venture into their communities to spread the Gospel of Jesus Christ.

Vocational Programs Build Self-Esteem and Promote Productivity and Self-Sufficiency

*Agricultural program
*Carpentry program
*Construction program
*English Language program

Provision of Food and Clothes, Safe Living Conditions and Education Make A Brighter Future Possible
From Malnourished and Dirty…	To Fed and Decently Clothed!
From Desolate and Dirty…	To Safe and Clean!
From Disgrace…	To Dignity!

WHAT TYPES OF PROJECTS IS PROMISED PROVISION MINISTRIES INVOLVED WITH IN HAITI?
As we work with our girls and boys, we also have opportunities to help others in need.  As the Lord leads and resources permit, we undertake special projects such as raising funds and coordinating medical care to restore sight to a an elderly blind man through cataract surgery, securing donations of and delivering life-saving baby supplies, and partnering with other relief/aid organizations in providing temporary shelter and basic life needs following natural disasters.

Help Meet Clothing & Food Needs	Lend Hands to Orphan Care	Make Home Visits to the Sick

If you wish your donation to be used for a specific project you may specify which project at the time you make the donation and be assured that your funds will be applied to the project you designate.  

Donations may be made by check made payable to “Promised Provision Ministries” and mailed to us (click here for address information) OR using your credit card at the “Donate” tab at the top of this page.

HOW CAN I PRAY SPECIFICALLY FOR THE COUNTRY OF HAITI AND FOR PROMISED PROVISION MINISTRIES?

WAYS TO PRAY FOR HAITI:

In 1791 Haiti was dedicated to Satan. Voodooism is a pervasive evil that affects every level of society. President Aristide rededicated the country to Voodooism in 1991 as its “cultural heritage”. Pray that Christians may be bold to denounce the evil of Voodooism and in the name of Jesus Christ see its destruction.
(http://www.webster.edu/~corbetre/haiti/voodoo/overview.htm OR http://www.websteruniv.edu/~corbetre/haiti/voodoo/voodoo.htm)

Two centuries of misrule have led Haiti to economic, political and spiritual disaster. Pray that leaders accountable to God and those they rule may bring long-denied freedoms to the nation.
(http://www.websteruniv.edu/~corbetre/haiti/history/course/course.htm)

Although the steady growth of Christian churches in the difficult economic and spiritual climate is cause for praise, there are still areas for concern: Church-missions relationships have been poor and this has diverted energies from the real battle. The fragmentation of denominations on issues of personality, charismatic growth and liberation theology have confused and diverted Christians. Pray for cooperation and unity within Christ’s Church.

Christian literature is not widely available due to poverty, and its value is limited due to illiteracy. The Duvalier regime regarded literacy as a political threat. The Creole Bible was published by the Bible Society in 1984. Pray that the Word may begin to transform and revive the church–literacy programs such as the teaching of English our team will be doing is vital to the Church in Haiti.
(http://www.unicef.org/infobycountry/haiti_statistics.html)  

Leadership training is too limited because of the poverty of the churches. Many pastors have little training, some being barely literate themselves. Pray for the educational and spiritual needs of these leaders–that they be men of faith and spiritual authority who are not diverted by material inducements.

Missions play a very important role, but political unrest, confrontation with the U.S. and threats of violence against missionaries have forced many to leave. Pray for the safety of Christian missionaries and that every expression of Christian concern may succeed in drawing the Haitian people to our Savior.

Christian broadcasting has made a deep impact. A high proportion of the population listens to the radio. Their destitution and need make them spiritually receptive. Pray for wisdom and safety for the staff and producers of Christian broadcasting in the tense political condition where a wrong word could have dire consequences.

WAYS TO PRAY FOR PROMISED PROVISION MINISTRIES

• God’s wisdom and discernment for Promised Provision’s leadership and the fulfillment of His Will through them
• God's mercy and protection over Promised Provision Ministries and its missionaries as they following His callings on their lives
• Visionary directors for Promised Provision Ministries – that those God calls to these vital positions will respond obediently
• Faithful supporters dedicated to planned, purposed giving who will enable Promised Provision Ministries to fulfill its current commitments and to grow in accordance with God’s plan for His children in Haiti
• Promised Provision Ministries' ability to routinely meet the needs of the people it serves
• Above all, that God be glorified by all that we do in the name of His Son, Jesus Christ, in the nation of Haiti.

THANK YOU FOR THE GREATEST GIFT OF ALL – YOUR PRAYERS!  May You Be Abundantly Blessed and May God Continue to Bless Others Through You