They Are Providers Of Dreams
Extracts from Article published in Deacon Digest (July/August 2007) By Deacon Steve Vande Hey of the Green bay, WI diocese.
I was invited to take part in a pilgrimage by relief organization, Food For The Poor (FFP), headquartered in Florida. We originally were going to Haiti, but conditions were not safe, so it was changed to Jamaica. After several days with them, it was apparent that this ‘ministry of distribution’, a phrase coined by one of their key people, truly provided and fulfilled dreams for individuals.
It was clear from the get-go that that FFP was just not concerned with food for the people, but tended to their spirit.
Their mission statement and vision statement stressed some key points, which I discovered were actually being lived out. They are concerned with the materially poor in spirit. They clearly embraced all people. The need for regular prayer is a cornerstone; a foundation block.
Of funds collected by FFP, 96% actually get to the people in need; only 4% is spent on administration and personnel. The name Food for the Poor does not adequately capture all the areas they minister. Besides supplying food and water, FFP helps people become more self-sufficient. For example, they are the world’s largest purchaser of peda-powered sewing machines (as there is not electricity everywhere in the 16 countries they minister within). Their support of education and schools was noteworthy. They build affordable homes that provide another basic need for families – shelter, which many of us in the United States probably take for granted.The memories of our pilgrimage are forever etched into my memory. I feel blessed to have such marvelous and unique individuals, all in a very Christ-centered atmosphere, as we helped meet people’s basic needs as part of being ministers of distribution, and providers of dreams.
Monday, July 16, 2007
Friday, June 29, 2007
Let Us Pray………
At the end of the last posting, I requested that we pray for our brother in Christ, Deacon Keith Gibbons.
It has now come home to me that a very good use which we could make of this medium, is for it also to be a forum for lifting each other in prayer, both generally and in time of special need(s).
It is good to remember that Food For The Poor emphasizes the prayer aspect of our ministry. When appeals are made on our behalf, we ask that this be stressed especially where our donors are somewhat reticent to give their names: they are fearful of a deluge of mailing and of the possibility of their names being sold. We have to keep reminding them that we are legally bound to acknowledge all donations and that we need their partnership in the prayer aspect of our undertaking. We can attest to the occurrence of daily miracles. Whatever success we claim can only be the result of answered prayer.
Another request I would make, is for those of us who are fully participating, to send me addresses which I could add to my list in order to reach others of our brothers who may be/are interested in this Ministry.
He always answers prayers.
At the end of the last posting, I requested that we pray for our brother in Christ, Deacon Keith Gibbons.
It has now come home to me that a very good use which we could make of this medium, is for it also to be a forum for lifting each other in prayer, both generally and in time of special need(s).
It is good to remember that Food For The Poor emphasizes the prayer aspect of our ministry. When appeals are made on our behalf, we ask that this be stressed especially where our donors are somewhat reticent to give their names: they are fearful of a deluge of mailing and of the possibility of their names being sold. We have to keep reminding them that we are legally bound to acknowledge all donations and that we need their partnership in the prayer aspect of our undertaking. We can attest to the occurrence of daily miracles. Whatever success we claim can only be the result of answered prayer.
Another request I would make, is for those of us who are fully participating, to send me addresses which I could add to my list in order to reach others of our brothers who may be/are interested in this Ministry.
He always answers prayers.
Thursday, June 14, 2007
I found when you say ‘yes’ to a Pilgrimage with Food for the Poor, you are actually saying ‘yes’ to God. He’s inviting you to be part of a miracle and the work being done in Jamaica is nothing short of that. The gifts of Love and Service you have to offer can sometimes be emotionally overwhelming and you may find yourself transformed. Like most ministry, I’ve found it’s a two way street. As we help to feed our brothers and sisters they in turn nourish our souls with love and hope. Mother Teresa said: "Each one of them is Jesus in disguise." With that in mind, just look into their eyes and you will see God. He is alive in Jamaica and he needs your help.
When I returned home I shared a story with a few of my friends about a family I had met that was in great need of our help. The shack they called home was barely standing and the children were suffering from skin fungus. Their landlord was harassing this mother and her six children for back rent. My friends responded immediately with a pledge to provide them with a new home of their own. Now I am looking forward to sharing this project with our entire Parish. All over the world there are thousands of miracles still waiting to happen. God has a role for you to play, so pray for the courage to follow your heart.
Deacon Keith Gibbons
Holy Trinity RC Church
Westfield, NJ USA
Deacon Keith Gibbons's parish has raised funds for building a house (this has been already fulfilled) and they are working on fundraising for another house.
We all should pray for Deacon Keith continuing recovery as he was recently injured playing ball.
When I returned home I shared a story with a few of my friends about a family I had met that was in great need of our help. The shack they called home was barely standing and the children were suffering from skin fungus. Their landlord was harassing this mother and her six children for back rent. My friends responded immediately with a pledge to provide them with a new home of their own. Now I am looking forward to sharing this project with our entire Parish. All over the world there are thousands of miracles still waiting to happen. God has a role for you to play, so pray for the courage to follow your heart.
Deacon Keith Gibbons
Holy Trinity RC Church
Westfield, NJ USA
Deacon Keith Gibbons's parish has raised funds for building a house (this has been already fulfilled) and they are working on fundraising for another house.
We all should pray for Deacon Keith continuing recovery as he was recently injured playing ball.
Tuesday, May 29, 2007
What is Food For The Poor Doing?
Excerpt from homily by Deacon Leo Aman
St. Pius Tenth Parish,
Rochester, NY (April 2, 2006)
My group of 17 people was in Jamaica for two full days. Our first stop was at a parish named, of all things, St. Pius Tenth. I knew that I was in the right place.
St. Pius had a grammar school where basic reading, writing and arithmetic were taught to young and energetic children. Children are always the hope of the future.
Food For The Poor provides both breakfast and lunch to keep them ready to learn. It [FFP] equips the school with used chairs and desks, refurbished computers, books and supplies – all from U.S. donations. In addition, the young people were learning life-skills such as cooking and baking, hairdressing and sewing. We smelled the aromas from their stoves; tasted their sugar cookies, watched them brush wigs on wooden heads and listened to the hum of their sewing machines creating colorful clothes.
Leaving St. Pius School, we moved on to a community where homes were put together from scrap boards, twisted tin and rain-soaked cardboard. Families with as many as 9 people would sleep inside. But at the same time, new one and two room houses were also being constructed by work crews from Food For The Poor. A well-built house could be put up in less than a week with windows and water-tight roof. Families were waiting their turn to move into their new homes.
[Feeding destitute street people]. They sat and we served as though they were guests at a restaurant and we were the waiters. I could not help wondering if the heavenly banquet that Jesus talked about might be similar.
Excerpt from homily by Deacon Leo Aman
St. Pius Tenth Parish,
Rochester, NY (April 2, 2006)
My group of 17 people was in Jamaica for two full days. Our first stop was at a parish named, of all things, St. Pius Tenth. I knew that I was in the right place.
St. Pius had a grammar school where basic reading, writing and arithmetic were taught to young and energetic children. Children are always the hope of the future.
Food For The Poor provides both breakfast and lunch to keep them ready to learn. It [FFP] equips the school with used chairs and desks, refurbished computers, books and supplies – all from U.S. donations. In addition, the young people were learning life-skills such as cooking and baking, hairdressing and sewing. We smelled the aromas from their stoves; tasted their sugar cookies, watched them brush wigs on wooden heads and listened to the hum of their sewing machines creating colorful clothes.
Leaving St. Pius School, we moved on to a community where homes were put together from scrap boards, twisted tin and rain-soaked cardboard. Families with as many as 9 people would sleep inside. But at the same time, new one and two room houses were also being constructed by work crews from Food For The Poor. A well-built house could be put up in less than a week with windows and water-tight roof. Families were waiting their turn to move into their new homes.
[Feeding destitute street people]. They sat and we served as though they were guests at a restaurant and we were the waiters. I could not help wondering if the heavenly banquet that Jesus talked about might be similar.
Message from the President and CEO
Below is a message from our CEO, Robin. He is very enthusiastic about the fraternity that this blog seeks to build in support of those we serve.
===================================
I am very pleased with the concept of a message board (Deacons For The Poor), which seeks to update and thank you for your support of our efforts to help the Poor.
Since the beginning of the Church, and especially in today’s world, the role of deacon has taken on renewed importance. We must work together to answer the call of the gospel and reach out to the least of His brothers and sisters.
It is my prayer that this partnership will increase not only the efforts of this ministry, but will also strengthen your commitment to His service.
May God bless you abundantly for all that you do as workers in His vineyard.
A servant of the poor,
Robin G. Mahfood
President and CEO
=====================================
===================================
I am very pleased with the concept of a message board (Deacons For The Poor), which seeks to update and thank you for your support of our efforts to help the Poor.
Since the beginning of the Church, and especially in today’s world, the role of deacon has taken on renewed importance. We must work together to answer the call of the gospel and reach out to the least of His brothers and sisters.
It is my prayer that this partnership will increase not only the efforts of this ministry, but will also strengthen your commitment to His service.
May God bless you abundantly for all that you do as workers in His vineyard.
A servant of the poor,
Robin G. Mahfood
President and CEO
=====================================
Tuesday, May 15, 2007
Welcome
May 3, 2007
Welcome to Deacons for the Poor, brainchild of our Pilgrimage Director, Father Paul Wilderotter.
Your first question….why May 3rd, when this date has already passed? This date is very special (for me) as it marks the twentieth anniversary of my ordination (Pentecost 1987).
My attachment to this ministry has to be fulfillment, rather than accident. The deacon is called to serve (diakona) and having to relocate from Jamaica to Florida and still incardinated in Jamaica, had me wondering what next and where to? He sent me to serve where He saw a need. For me, service to His poor fulfills my call to diakona, until He sends me elsewhere.
It is our prayer that this medium will help to keep us in touch with those who have already journeyed with us and to encourage others to ‘come aboard’.
The following excerpt from our invitational brochure to come on pilgrimage, says it all:
“We offer you this trip free of charge as an experience of the Gospel. Your pilgrimage will allow you to experience firsthand the suffering Christ in the poor. During your pilgrimage, you will better understand the anawim of the Old Testament as well as the Lamb of God of the New Testament. Our purpose is to familiarize you with the plight of the suffering poor of Christ while showing you what is being done to alleviate injustices and poverty in the Third World.
For many who travel with us, these trips become spiritual journeys, leading to a deeper understanding of how God’s grace is revealed in today’s world. As you walk in Christ’s footsteps among the poor, you recognize Him in the faces of the hungry and destitute. This life-changing experience builds a special stewardship towards the poor. It nurtures your faith. And it develops a keener sense of community among the caring. You also become a ‘living bridge’ to educate First World Christians about the harsh realities of life for Third World Christians.”
Please, let us continue the pilgrimage of life together in faith in Him who promised to be with us to the end of time.
Welcome to Deacons for the Poor, brainchild of our Pilgrimage Director, Father Paul Wilderotter.
Your first question….why May 3rd, when this date has already passed? This date is very special (for me) as it marks the twentieth anniversary of my ordination (Pentecost 1987).
My attachment to this ministry has to be fulfillment, rather than accident. The deacon is called to serve (diakona) and having to relocate from Jamaica to Florida and still incardinated in Jamaica, had me wondering what next and where to? He sent me to serve where He saw a need. For me, service to His poor fulfills my call to diakona, until He sends me elsewhere.
It is our prayer that this medium will help to keep us in touch with those who have already journeyed with us and to encourage others to ‘come aboard’.
The following excerpt from our invitational brochure to come on pilgrimage, says it all:
“We offer you this trip free of charge as an experience of the Gospel. Your pilgrimage will allow you to experience firsthand the suffering Christ in the poor. During your pilgrimage, you will better understand the anawim of the Old Testament as well as the Lamb of God of the New Testament. Our purpose is to familiarize you with the plight of the suffering poor of Christ while showing you what is being done to alleviate injustices and poverty in the Third World.
For many who travel with us, these trips become spiritual journeys, leading to a deeper understanding of how God’s grace is revealed in today’s world. As you walk in Christ’s footsteps among the poor, you recognize Him in the faces of the hungry and destitute. This life-changing experience builds a special stewardship towards the poor. It nurtures your faith. And it develops a keener sense of community among the caring. You also become a ‘living bridge’ to educate First World Christians about the harsh realities of life for Third World Christians.”
Please, let us continue the pilgrimage of life together in faith in Him who promised to be with us to the end of time.
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