Why not help in the USA?

Before reading the following blog understand that I live on the East Coast.  I am about 2 hours from New York City and the Jersey Shore where Hurricane Sandy did MAJOR damage as it came ashore a little over a week ago.  Though I have not been to see the aftermath of that storm first hand I did go to New Orleans six weeks after Hurricane Katrina and saw there what this type of disaster does not only to a home, but to the lives of the people it has impacted.  I sat with people, prayed with them, listened to their stories as we took all their waterlogged belongings and threw them on the curb.  I held them in my arms and cried with them as they went through family photographs and mementos and tried to salvage what they could and grieved the loss of so many cherished items.  But, through that I learned a LOT about what's really important in life.  What matters most is faith, family, health... not THINGS though it still hurts just as much to lose those things-- mostly because of the memories and stories we attach to them.

I am writing this blog because I am truly saddened that lately I have received a barrage of "attacks" from people in my area asking, "Why are you spending so much time/energy helping Haitians when we have people HERE in the USA who are in need, hurting and going through so much?"  (this is usually in regard to the Hurricane aftermath since that is so close to home and has impacted so many we all know/love)  I have always tried to answer this question with kindness and love, but honestly lately it has become more and more difficult to respond in that manner.  So, as I often do, I turn to this blog to pour out my heart and to hopefully address this question as well as prompt some of you to think about what matters and where/how YOU can do your part as well.

First, in response to, "Why aren't you helping here in the USA?", let me tell you some things about my personal life.  For many years I went to Philly (and still do occasionally) to serve in Kensington which is one of the worst areas, I have been to the Gulf Coast 12 times after Hurricane Katrina (over three years) and my oldest daughter was a missionary there working with post-Katrina victims.  I have been to Denver, Colorado which is the homeless capital of the USA to work with the homeless there- at shelters, a soup kitchen and to work with an AIDS awareness group helping them with a large fund raising event.  I have also done work in Reading, PA at Hope Rescue Mission and Opportunity House and have made sandwiches and taken blankets/sleeping bags to the homeless in our area living on the streets and under bridges.  I have quit my full-time job and have had no income for the past 18 mos. so I can travel to Haiti (which is paid for by a friend by the way)- relying only on the money my husband makes as a self-employed landscaper.  We have never had many of the "luxuries" that many Americans do- I have never had a dishwasher, only got cable TV three years ago, I don't have a smart phone, my car is desperately in need of repairs, etc..  So, as for helping here in the USA?? Been there- done that and I continue to do so when able.  

Second part of that question is, "Why THOSE people?" as if Haitians were any less deserving just because their birth certificate doesn't say United States of America on it.  My response to that is, "What makes an American any more entitled to care?"  Yes, there are MANY people in the USA who are hurting.  Many have lost jobs, many don't have opportunities to just move somewhere and get another job, many are hurting.  I understand that and I DO care about them.  But, it is honestly not where God is calling me right now.  Our ministry in Haiti is NOT a ministry that believes in going and giving handouts.  We do take things to Haiti- usually because they are cheaper to purchase here, they are donated to us or because they are more difficult to find and purchase in Haiti.  We believe in working WITH the Haitian people to help them become LESS dependent upon others and help them become contributing members of their local community.  That being said, there are literally VERY FEW opportunities for them to do that.  There is a huge unemployment rate simply because there are no jobs available.  Many want to work and help their families but they do not have the chance to do so. Yes, we are seeing that more and more in America but at least we still have a society where there are opportunities.  Yes, I have met those who are literally "stuck" here in the USA- who can't afford to move from the city and find a job, who are one or two paychecks from being homeless, etc.. I do feel for them and understand and I do care. 

Finally, I have been accused of taking finances from the people in the USA and other organizations by constantly putting things on facebook and my blog about ways to donate.  To that I say, "Yes, we do give people the opportunity to donate, but we do not intend to pressure anyone nor do we imply that they should donate to our ministry rather than one that serves the local community or those in the USA."  It is up to the individual donating to choose where they will allocate their finances- we are merely letting people know of our needs and the opportunity they have to contribute and support our ministry.  I have never intentionally made anyone feel guilty for donating to another organization rather than ours nor would I ever do that.  The only time I have ever said anything even somewhat similar to that is when saying something about the THINGS we as Americans spend our money on when asking people to give something up for a period of time and instead take those funds and use them to bless someone.  (ie:  give up going out to dinner one time and take those funds and donate them)  But, ultimately they can choose where to allocate their donation.

Usually those who ask me the questions above are not doing anything themselves here in the USA to be part of the solution. Often they are too busy pointing their fingers to take time and evaluate things with an open mind. They usually don't understand what we are doing in Haiti and they look at it as just wasting money to go help people who don't care to help themselves.  Nothing could be farther from the truth.  There are both Americans and Haitians who have no desire to improve their lives.  Who have no desire to work.  Who have no desire to change the situation they are in but instead to complain about it and wait for someone to come along and give them a handout.  Those are NOT the people we work with!  

I feel honored and blessed that God has chosen Hearts United with Haiti to work with the people of Haiti!  To encourage and empower people so that they can take the necessary steps toward independence and to be able to provide not only for themselves, but for others and then to take what they have learned and teach others to do the same.  To teach them to fish rather than just giving them fish.  

Are we all called to work and minister outside the USA?  NO!  But please do not judge me because I am.  I have done (and will probably continue to do) plenty of ministry here in the USA, but for now God has called me to Haiti and for that I will not apologize or make excuses.  Instead, I will praise Him and thank Him for this amazing opportunity.  

** Stepping off the soapbox now- thanks for letting me "vent"!  PLEASE take this message in the tone it was written- not to scold or offend, but to explain my position and to give people something to think about.  We, as Americans feel so "entitled" and often don't look beyond self.  We are all God's people and none is more or less deserving of love, care, compassion and a helping hand from time to time.  

Serving Him in Haiti-  Crystal Funk   :)