40,000-pound Rice Donation Reveals Unexpected Generosity
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Weeks ago, after news of the earthquake in Haiti reached the New Hope Church of the Nazarene in Fairfield, CA, Pastor Scott Walker issued a call for compassion. One church member responded by asking a nearby business for assistance. Convinced to help, the Far West Rice company in Durham, CA, offered to donate and ship 40,000 pounds of rice for relief efforts in Haiti. They even packaged it all in 5-pound bags for easier distribution. Nazarene Haitian pastors are now using this rice donation to reach out to those in need in their communities.
With more than 1 million Haitians affected by the quake, though, even 40,000 pounds doesn’t go far enough. But churches are finding that this unexpected generosity from California is being matched with even more generosity from those who receive the bags of rice. Garry and Alourdes Hilaire of the Pont Rouge Church of the Nazarene, Haiti, exemplified this generosity as they received rice and other aid items this past week.
“When we get aid, we share it,” Garry said. “We will eat, but there are many people in need, so we share.”
The Hilaire family lives under a tarp on the church property. Both Garry and his wife were without jobs until the school where they work as educators recently reopened. Still, the idea that the food or other items his family receives would stay within their family did not even seem to be an option. Instead, Garry shared that his hope is that the church will continue to receive aid to reach out to even more people in need. The expression on his face communicated clearly that giving brings him joy. The rice the Hilaires received might not be much, but he sees it as an opportunity to share with others.
“Before the earthquake, our church had a ministry to widows. Once a month we would bring items to them. Life is hard since the earthquake, and we have not been able to continue this, but we would like to start again,” Garry said.
This week, the opportunities for such generosity are multiplied many times over. In addition to the container of rice, NCM Haiti is working to distribute two containers of clothes, one container of food, water, shelter and other items, and one container of Crisis Care Kits. NCM is also buying food locally to distribute. In total, NCM Haiti is working to receive and distribute over 14,000 Crisis Care Kits, 50,000 pounds of water, and 250,000 pounds of food. More than 15,000 families across Haiti are expected to benefit from these distributions.
NCM is grateful for the beautiful way Nazarenes from around the world have donated gifts such as food, water, and tents. It has allowed local Nazarenes to reach out to their neighbors, pastors to provide for their congregations, and the global church to work together. As the church in Haiti transitions to long-term projects, NCM is now asking for donations to consist of shelter only in the form of tents and tarps.
PLEASE NOTE: NCM is no longer able to accept donations at the warehouse in Hialeah, Florida. If you have already sent items there, they will be collected and sent to Haiti, but we are now directing all shipments to the NCM warehouse in Maryland.
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