A letter from Suzette Goss-Geffrard serving in Haiti
November 2014 - What’s in a Gift?
Recently a sister, Hester, from Community Presbyterian Church in Deerfield, Florida, wrote me about wanting to give a gift of sewing machines. She wanted to know if this would be an appropriate gift to share. I wrote her about an organization that one of our partners has been working with called Organization de la Defense des Droits des Sourds-Muets (ODDSM), which translates to Organization for the Defense of the Rights for the Deaf.
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Hester delivered the sewing machines to Agape flights
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ODDSM receiving gift (Guerta, her assistant, and two young adult participants in the program)
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Production of cleaning products
ODDSM was the brainchild of Mrs. Jonka Guerda, whose determination to succeed in life despite having an amputation spilled over into her desire to help others overcome physical challenges. She saw that once deaf children reach their majority, there were no opportunities for them to learn job skills or find employment. They were frequently unable to even access the social services that are provided by the state. She began by teaching young deaf women needle skills to produce items to sell to create a livelihood. Later she sought training in the neighboring Dominican Republic on how to make cleaning products. The program now includes a few young males who are deaf. They have now created a company in which these young people make, package and market their own products. It has been wonderful to buy all of my dishwashing soap and disinfectant products from these enterprising young people. These young people want to be integrated into the larger workforce without regard for their physical “challenges.”
Many of these young adults were trained in our Episcopal partner church institution, St. Vincent’s School for the Handicapped. That training instilled in them the truth of the gospel: that Jesus came that they may have an abundant life. After the earthquake our partner, Service Chretien, gave ODDSM the support they needed to move forward. The unemployment rate in Haiti is approaching 80 percent and it is nearly 100 percent for persons with disabilities. Persons with disabilities are often relegated to the family yard or begging on the streets.
Mrs. Guerda has reinforced God’s message to this group of young people. She has reminded them of the gift of self-worth through access to the marketplace.
My friend Hester and her church have given ODDSM yet another tool to help these otherwise marginalized young people to succeed in difficult circumstances. Without the intervention of all of these partners these incredible young people would not be earning a livelihood.
What is in a gift? Life! Opportunity!
Thanks be to God for his indescribable gift! (2 Corinthians 9:15).
When we experience the grace of God we recognize it for the gift that it is. When we have the opportunity to participate in what God is doing in and through God’s people, that too is a gift!
As we approach yet another holiday season, I want to thank you for the many ways your prayer and financial support make it possible for me to experience the gift of serving God in Haiti. Jonka and Hester are wonderful role models, not only for their communities of faith, but also to all of us that there are no challenges that cannot be overcome in order to serve our Lord; not age, physical abilities, distances or limited resources.
Please join with Jonka, Hester, myself and the many mission co-workers serving God around the world. Please pray about how you will partner with your Christian brothers and sisters in Haiti. Your financial gifts, prayer support, and your presence all bring hope and opportunity to so many.
Joyeux Noel! Que Dieu Vous Benisse! Merry Christmas! May God Bless You!
Suzette
The 2014 Presbyterian Mission Yearbook for Prayer & Study, p. 48
The 2015 Presbyterian Mission Yearbook for Prayer & Study, p. 62
Read more about Suzette Goss-Geffrard's ministry
Write to Suzette Goss-Geffrard
Individuals:Give onlineto E200486 for Suzette Goss-Geffrard's sending and support
Congregations: Give to D507561 for Suzette Goss-Geffrard's sending and support
Churches are asked to send donations through your congregation’s normal receiving site (this is usually your presbytery).
Double Your Impact!
A group of committed donors has pledged to match all gifts sent by individuals for mission personnel support now through December 31, 2014, up to $137,480. This means your gift today will be matched by a gift to support mission personnel around the world, wherever the need is greatest. We invite you to take advantage of this wonderful opportunity to double the impact of your gift. Thank you!
