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She's a first. It's hard to believe!
It was a crowded, hot, muggy Haitian room. The overhead projection
bulb had already blown … and there was no replacement. But this
session of the Advanced Leadership In Fund Development Workshop, with
35 Haitian ministry leaders, had gone well. It was break time.
Our Haitian coffee breaks at this Workshop were usually a drink of
water and a cracker. But this one was special.
Edner, one of the interpreters, approached me and asked, "Have
you met Kerline?" I hadn't. But I recognized her as the young lady
who had led devotions the morning before … and had done a superb
job.
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Kerline Toussaint |
I was totally surprised with the introduction. She is a staff member
of a fairly large youth ministry organization in Haiti… and has just
become their first full time Stewardship and Fund Development Director.
In fact, they think she’s the first Christian fund development director
ever in that country.
I was so excited! Here’s a country that has been self-destructing
for decades. They’ve survived on handouts. Now, just a few months
after introducing personal stewardship and fund development in a setting
of total economic dependence, there’s a full time local Haitian fund
development director. Dan Rather and Peter Jennings won’t report
it as a revolutionary event, but it’s a monumental step forward for
the church in Haiti.
As I continued to be amazed at this, I asked myself, “How can I communicate
to International Steward donors what a great thing they’ve done?”
Just a little over a year ago no one was even thinking about Haitian leadership
in fund development. Now, they’re not only thinking about it, but
have a sharp, dynamic young lady ready to lead the way. You’ve made
that possible.
Kerline is joined in Haiti by several other ministry leaders who no longer
want to perpetuate the status-quo. The reports we heard were very invigorating.
No, there aren’t millions of Haitian dollars miraculously pouring
into ministries yet … but it’s starting. There’s a new
day dawning.
We tell everyone in the Workshops that there is no “quick fix”
to the problem of debilitating economic dependency. We have a track record
of over a hundred years in demonstrating to the emerging church that all
funds come from us. It’s indelibly imprinted on their minds. They
have no other way to think about funding ministry. So generally, in the
absence of contacts with people like you and I, they dismiss any dreams
of expanded outreach.
Now, in several countries around the world there is a glimmer of possibility
that the church can move forward without total dependence on the black
hole of international aid … and God’s people are beginning to
grow in the grace of giving.
As you seal the envelope for your significant gift this month, will you
pray for Kerline … and for dozens of other nationals in ministry
leadership who are in the early stages of breaking the economic stranglehold
that robs their ministry and the people of fulfillment?
The opportunities confronting International Steward these days continue
to multiply. It is this kind of progress and encouraging ministry that
helps fuel the fire in us to encourage stewardship development worldwide.
Thank you for your prayer and support in this ministry.
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