Transformation Thurrock : Haiti Earthquake appeal

Haiti Earthquake appeal

Some of you will remember Josh and Nicky Hauser, formerly of St Margaret's, Stanford-le-Hope. Josh was the Youth Pastor there and ran the Mezza9 ministry to young people.

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Josh and Nicky (right) married in late 2001 and now live in Josh's hometown of Cincinnati in Ohio, USA, with their daughter Zoe. Both have been actively involved in Haiti for the past few years, working on the island with the Northwest Haiti Christian Mission.

The NWHCM has been active in Haiti for 30 years and is - as their website says - "an Independent Christian Church organisation dedicated to establishing and partnering with indigenous churches to help bring people in Northwest Haiti out of spiritual, physical and social poverty to demonstrate God’s love for all."

The website continues: "Through the instrument of the church, the NWHCM serve thousands of people across Northwest Haiti regardless of their age, gender, or religion." They do so through a diverse collection of programmes that include – among others – primary schools, feeding projects, orphanages, medical clinics, church planting, a Bible college, and agricultural development. They are the largest employer in the zone and one of the largest ministries in Haiti.

"The NWHCM is built around partnerships with churches and individuals who are interested in ministry in Haiti. Every year, hundreds of volunteers travel to Northwest Haiti on short-term trips to participate with us in our work." Josh and Nicky are just two of those volunteers.

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Driven by their faith in Jesus Christ to serve with the poor and oppressed in the Western Hemisphere’s poorest nation, they reach out because of a love for them compelled by Jesus. The NWHCM believe in Christ’s promise to bring life in its fullest for all people, and they believe in His command to serve their impoverished neighbours. "For such a time as this", perhaps: this ministry has been prepared by God over the years for just such a calamity.

The website's front page concludes: "In every community we serve, we hope that our work becomes a tool for healing and strengthening people’s relationships with God. Whether we are meeting people’s basic human needs, improving their living conditions, or sharing the gospel, we aim to always be encouraging individuals in their faith journey and pointing them toward a saving relationship with Jesus Christ."

And the re-building of a nation is only just beginning.

We know that there are many ways of giving towards the terrible suffering of the Haitians, but Transformation Thurrock would like to support this particular mission given their distant connection with Thurrock, via the Hausers in Cincinnati. If you'd like to donate to NWHCM's work in Haiti, please go to the following link:

http://www.nwhcm.org/earthquake-relief-how-to-help

Tim Harrold, 26/01/2010