Wow!!     Where has this year gone?

Several weeks ago we were contacted by a young man named Garrett Jayne that attends Manna Church in Fayetteville. He wanted to do something for the people of earthquake torn Haiti. He wanted to collect T-shirts and asked if Helping Hands might be able to get them to Haiti.  We know several ministries working there and told him we were sure we could help. Here is his story:

When the Hurricane hit Haiti, the pictures of the island were very sad. I attend a large church in Fayetteville NC and many people are always doing something to help around the world, this made me want to be a part of helping someone.

I wanted to make a difference and help the people of Haiti with something they could use and really needed. Shoes seemed too bulky, medical supplies seemed too hard to get and T-Shirts are something we all have.

People in my Gray’s Creek community helped me collect T-Shirts. My goal was to collect 500 T-shirts and I collected 850. This thankfully filled our family van. It was really great to see so many people bringing T-Shirts to help. I thought 500 T-Shirts seemed hard to reach. Actually the hard part was sorting them and preparing them to get ready for shipment.

I hope to continue to collect T-Shirts again next year and see what God has planned for them.

Thank You,
Garrett Jayne Hope Mills NC

We met his mom, Katrina Garrett, in Fayetteville and transferred the load from her van to our truck. Once we had them in the warehouse, I sent out an e-mail to see who could ship them for us. We had about 10 different ministries respond offering to ship the tee shirts. We settled on Lumiere Ministries near Gastonia, a date was set for delivery and they were delivered to Mickey Stokes of Lumiere Ministries. Mickey hopes to ship his next container in August. They are rebuilding a hospital that was completely destroyed.

Because of the unrest in Honduras in 09’, our shipments have been on hold. In the last month we have been getting word that shipments may resume. We have had an application in process for some time and have been waiting for word that it could go. The schools in Honduras started the new school year in February and depend on us a lot to get new school supplies and furniture to them for the new year. They have been getting by but are in great need. Just today, I received word that our shipment has been approved and can begin movement to Pope AFB the first of May. The transportation managers already have flights that will be able to move our cargo by the middle of May. Just in time for our Honduras trip! They believe it will arrive just before the team and we may even be able to help move it off the base!

We gave 2 stretchers and some medical supplies and equipment to a church near the coast of NC for their effort of supporting the relief in Haiti. We delivered these items for them to a collection point in Cary, NC.

We supplied 10 stretchers to a ministry in Alabama for a new hospital being constructed in Ecuador. Samaritan’s Purse picked those up at our warehouse in Southern Pines.

Helping Hands has participated in two mission conferences this year so far. We made some great contacts and good friends. One of the families we met is moving to Guatemala to be full time missionaries. They will be working with several orphanages while learning the language. We are already making plans to ship supplies for them once they are established in country. They hope to move in June, 2010.

We now have a satellite office and warehouse in Greensboro. One of our board members has the desire to do the same things Helping Hands does and sees no reason to start another ministry. Part of the outreach he will help with is to the Karen people. They are refugees from an area near Myanmar and are being moved to the states. The US government moves them here but they have to be supplied certain things for the home. They have about three months to establish themselves and find work. Helping Hands is participating with other organizations in the initial set up.

Donna, Tony, the Helping Hands Board, and all the volunteers want to thank all those who are praying and supporting this work. By the way, I’d like to introduce the Board to you, by name, Bill and Mary Leusink, Kim Madrigal, Linda Dick, Elaine Jones, Jody Sparks, Diana Brower, Gary and Renee Fischbach and the Greensboro connection is David and Deanna Lovin. We also have Crist and Eileen Hamilton who will be joining Back to Back Ministries and serving in Nigeria for about one year. If you would like to put some “hands on” the work we’re doing, please let us know. We have work days, loading days, sorting days, the ongoing work in West Virginia and sometimes trips out of the country.

Your prayers, financial support, and “ hands on” support are always needed.

Thank you for all you do!

Sincerely,

Tony and Donna Haywood