Valentine’s Day this coming year brings to mind candy, flowers and ... a bowl of rice? That's right—a bowl of rice! It may not be a romantic dinner, but on Valentine’s Day weekend First Friends Church is partnering with Heaven Sent Ministries’ “Food for Children” to feed hungry people in Burkina Faso. We would like to invite you to join us! Through the “Food for Children” challenge, you can help give a family in Burkina Faso a chance for survival in the midst of displacement and hunger.
WHY BURKINA FASO? Burkina Faso, located in Western Africa, is the 3rd poorest country in the world. More than 80% of the population relies on subsistence farming. Severe flooding devastated the area in 2008 and again in September 2009! People have been driven from their homes in search of food and shelter. HSM has already sent 30,000 meals to their partner agency, ACTS Ministries, to begin to meet the needs of the people last year, but with the renewed flooding the need has increased again.
WHAT: A mobile food packaging project. The food HSM sends is a mixture of rice, protein, vitamins, minerals, and flavor, all packaged in sealed bags. The recipients will mix each package with six cups of water and boil it. By the time the food is cooked any impurities in the water will be eliminated. Each package will feed six people a healthy and nutritious meal.
WHEN: February 11-13, 2010
WHERE: First Friends Church, 5455Market Ave N., Canton, OH
WHO: 500 (or more) volunteers who will donate $60 and work a 2 hour shift. Sponsors with money but no time can donate $60 (or more) and we will link them up with a person (or more) who has time but no money. The shift starts with a video explaining the program and the specifics of how to do the packaging. Teams of 15 volunteers will then work together in an assembly line to mix the ingredients and package the meals. Each team is able to package an average of 3240 meals!
WHY HEAVEN SENT MINISTRIES (HSM)? Heaven Sent Ministries works directly with missionaries on the field to get the food directly to people who need it most. In this case they are the orphans in Joanna Ilboudo’s care and the people in the surrounding villages in Burkina Faso. HSM has never lost a shipment of food. What we package will get to the people who need it. Just as importantly, they will be introduced to Jesus Christ, the living bread. All food is given in the name of Jesus along with a Gospel presentation. This act of compassion will open people’s ears to spiritual help, as well. The cost to participate ($60 per person) covers the cost of the ingredients ($54) and the shipping and equipment ($4). HSM team members do not get paid a salary as they raise their own support separately.
DEADLINE: Commitments and payment are needed by Dec 23, 2009. Payment with MasterCard or VISA is available at $63. (The increased cost covers credit card company usage fees.)
FOR MORE INFORMATION OR PROMOTION MATERIAL
Joel Daniel Harris 330-966-2800 jharris@firstfriends.org
Kellie Johnson 330-904-6859 teengyn@neo.rr.com
TO SIGN UP FOR VOLUNTEER SLOTS: Carol Gresham,
First Friends Church, 330-966-2800
In Christ’s Name,
Joel Daniel Harris Kellie Johnson
Middle School Pastor& Instigator of Social Justice Mission Chairman
First Friends Church First Friends Church
