Sunday, February 28, 2016

Completion of H.I.M.

Family and Friends,

The following was printed in our church newsletter, the ARChive, on Feb. 21st of this year.  It describes our plans for H.I.M. (Haitian International Missions), which was a project we worked on the last few years to support Haitian ministries and leaders.  If you have any questions about this plan please don't hesitate to contact us personally for more information...  


I was excited to hear that one of our life groups is considering doing a study on the book, “When Helping Hurts”  (by Steve Corbett), which is a standard text in the study of missions and outreach. The premise of this book is that helping people can actually do more harm than good if it isn’t done properly.  For example, one of the key principles when administering aid to developing countries is to determine if the situation requires relief or development.  When the 2010 earthquake hit Port-au-Prince, Haiti, over 200,000 people were killed, one million were displaced from their homes, and the entire region was without access to food and water.  That is a great example of when relief-style aid is needed.  Without an immediate influx of organized help and supplies, many more would have perished. 
                However, it is important to transition quickly from relief to development.  If relief continues indefinitely, dependency is fostered and people become crippled in their ability to function as a self-sustaining society.  One simple example of this is the donation of free used clothing to countries in Africa who are not in need of relief.  When boat loads of such goods are offered to the public it undermines the local economy, putting out of business native shop owners who would seek to manufacture and/or sell clothing.  Sadly, such situations are constantly occurring in developing countries, and many times at the hands of well-meaning American Christians.
                All of that provides a backdrop to an important announcement we are ready to make.  We feel God is directing us to conclude the work of H.I.M. (Haitian International Missions) in 2016.  Our goal was to transition the ministries and individuals we supported from relief to development to long-term self-sustainability.  In the case of the Deaf/Disabled School, when we became aware of its existence the director feared they would have to close soon.  With some financial support and oversight from Zacharie (H.I.M. director), we believe we were able to solidify the ministry somewhat and allow it to begin to develop the program further and plan for the future.  One unintended side effect of this support was a reluctance of parents to pay for their children’s tuition.  We feel the time is right now to discontinue outside financial support and allow the school director to reinvigorate the commitment of parents to the program, which has been improved through our development efforts. 
                As for Zacharie, when we began a relationship with him he had recently lost his job as a director of a high school and felt a call to enter seminary, but had no funding to make it possible.  In a sense his family was in need of immediate relief, but the salary we offered him not only allowed him to provide for his family’s needs but also to develop his skills by attending seminary.  He also provided some oversight and mentorship to the Deaf/Disabled School and other young college students we were supporting.  After 2016 Zacharie’s salary will also be discontinued as he will be better equipped to find a job as pastor or school administrator (or both which is common in Haiti).   
                Though it is difficult to make these decisions to discontinue financial support to leaders and ministries in developing nations, it is absolutely essential for their spiritual and leadership growth.  The worst-case scenario would be to create permanent dependency on outside funding.  As a general rule, we belief it is this type of “help” (addressing developing situations as if they need relief) that continues to hold Haiti back from thriving and taking control of its own future.   Both because we felt the ministries and leaders of H.I.M. were ready, and because we ourselves will be transitioning to a different role in Haiti, we knew the time was right to make this step of faith.
                We want to thank all those who have supported this ministry for this season, especially those who sponsored the children in the school.  Please continue to pray for them and know that your investment in their lives will continue to make a difference.  Above all, know that the discontinuation of H.I.M. is not a failure!  Just the opposite.  Though it was by no means carried out with perfection, we believe this type of medium-term approach to international aid (RELIEF – DEVELOPMENT – SUSTAINABILITY) is backed by biblical principles and best practices in missions.  Let’s celebrate what God has done and may we all quickly find the next place where He is leading us to serve!  

Blessings,
Grimm Family Adventurers

Saturday, February 20, 2016

Kester's Thoughts on the New Adventure

Family and Friends,

Kester didn't waste any time writing out some of his thoughts about our plan to return to Haiti.  Like their parents, all of our kids have a nerdy streak.  These are his words...

K-man...still young enough to play legos, but old enough to write a blog post!

"Moving to Haiti"  by Kester Grimm

I am really excited that God has called us to move to Port-au-Prince, Haiti.  When I first heard that we were moving to Haiti, I was sad.  I was going to lose my friends in Luverne.  I probably won't ever see them again.  God has called us, though, so I know it is the right thing, even though it is hard.  It's going to be quite an adventure.  I know I will make new friends in Haiti, and I can still talk to some of my friends in Luverne with my Ipod.  I'm hoping that I can play one more year of baseball in Luverne, and do well!  Whatever happens, I know it is God's will and He will guide us through everything.  I am glad that I have a great family (including Cookie, our dog) that will be on this adventure with me.

I really wish I could take all my things to Haiti, but I know that won't happen.  At least we have Cookie!  I will miss a lot from America, but I will find a lot of good things in Haiti, too.  I am really looking forward to playing futbol, or soccer as we call it.  I probably won't be as good as any of the Haitians, but it will be a learning experience.  I will miss baseball in Haiti, and like I said, I hope I can play one more year of it in Luverne.  I know that God will see us through our adventure!


Please pray for the kids as they process this calling and transition towards the big move.

Be blessed today as God calls you to step out of the boat...
-Grimm Family Adventurers

Thursday, February 18, 2016

Welcome!

Family & Friends,

Welcome to our new blog!  As you can see the title is "Adventure Forever- Grimms in Haiti."  This is a continuation of our former blog, "Our Adventures in Haiti," of which many of you were faithful followers.  This updated title reflects the new work God is doing in our lives...solidifying our calling to serve the people of Haiti and giving us a path to being able to live there long-term.  That path involves Cory's recent acceptance of a career missionary position with Christian Reformed World Missions, who have maintained a permanent presence in Haiti for almost three decades.

We welcome old friends who supported us in previous adventures as well as new friends who will partner with us in the years ahead.  Our hope will be to move to Haiti sometime this summer.  Before that time we will need to raise funds from churches and individuals, recruit prayer partners, and undergo training through World Missions.  Cory will also continue his job as a pastor with American Reformed Church in Luverne, MN, until shortly before the time we leave.

In the weeks and months ahead we will update the progress of our preparations for moving, describe the work we will be doing, and introduce you to our many new ministry partners in Haiti.  As always we will authentically share our adventures, struggles, joys, and prayer requests.  This time around the kids have also agreed to contribute to the blog with reflections on what God is up to, what it is like for a kid to move to Haiti, and other thoughts.  So please consider checking back on a regular basis, or feel free to submit your email to the right in order to receive a notice when a new blog is posted.

Please pray for the people of Haiti as they embark upon an unknown political future.  In normal times the federal government is unstable.  This is even more true these days as a transitional government with an interim president has been appointed due to an unsuccessful election in January.  The hope is to have the long-term government in place in a couple of months.  The practical impact on regular folks is rioting in the streets, reduced income from tourism, a sense of uncertainty, and the complication of daily lives which are already difficult.  Pray for God to raise up godly, visionary leaders for Haiti!


May God Bless Your Adventure Today!
-Grimm Family Adventurers