Help with Food
VIRTUAL TRAVEL - REAL PEOPLE
Star of Hope USA, partners with the operations in Argentina, Colombia, Haiti and Trinidad. For many years there has been an emphasis on Child Sponsorship. That remains a critically important ministry BUT not the only ministry. Every country exhibits its own, unique style and set of needs. They can, however, be clumped together for the purpose of brevity.
The requests from Argentina, Colombia and Trinidad are to send ministry teams, (Groups of people who will come along side the staff in those countries). You know Americans (or any people for that matter) do not have a special connection to God. BUT, when someone from another country shows up to work with the existing program or even introduce 
something new - it reinforces what is already in place, not unlike the Good Housekeeping Seal of Approval. Many times ex-patriots and nationals work in the country for many years but only when a visitor from the outside gets involved do some people believe it is of real importance. These requests take several forms; (1) Help with a street ministry knocking on doors to share the gospel with the neighborhood, (2) Doing a Vacation Bible School for the children including scheduling the program, providing crafts, developing games, providing all supplies required, and no VBS is complete without snacks. (3) So often they just want the presence of the "outsiders" lending support in spirit and giving extra pairs of hands to help with the task at hand.
The needs within Haiti present a more complex situation. The education and feeding program of 6,000 children in 10 schools and 3 orphanages continue on a daily basis. This falls under the aforementioned Child Sponsorship. People quickly sign up to lend support to these projects. Who can turn their back on the faces of hungry children? Education remains the best hope for children of Haiti. The child sponsorship program covers the costs of food (one hot meal a day), uniforms, school supplies and teachers. In a normal situation the school buildings deteriorate and need repairs or eventual replacement.
In the past Star of Hope has sent "work/mission teams" to do some painting, roof repair etc., usually responding to the expressed desire of a local church group. Enter the earthquake of 2010 taking the country of Haiti from bad to HORRIFIC. Eight of thirteen projects suffer major damage to schools and churches. The specificity and the urgency of these teams changes dramatically. When 225,000 people die, 300,000 suffer injuries and 300,000 homes are damaged or destroyed - NO ONE remains unaffected, not even in the
remote, rural projects of Star of Hope. Thus, the more specific and urgent needs for teams with God's help to rebuild and recover.
Rebuild. Not just redo as it was in the past but truly rebuild, according to a better building code. Build something that can withstand the forces of nature (at least for a longer time). Recover. One definition states that to recover is; "To find, get back or regain (something lost or taken away); to regain the strength, composure, balance."
Three (3) StarTeams from the USA have traveled to Haiti since the earthquake. The first two teams traveled with the purpose of helping with "psychological recovery", trying to help them get back or regain some balance in their lives. The composition of their team included a psychologist, a therapist, a pastor and a number of lay people ready to listen, pray, play, question and, with direction, help start the process of dealing with the emotional upheaval of their lives. The third team purposed to build a school. Much of the groundwork was done by the Haitian workers under the direction of a Haitian architectural engineer employed by Star of Hope. The team, together with Haitian workers completed the roof, put in a latrine and painted the building inside and out. Time was also allocated to socializing with the citizenry of the community. They shared American songs and learned some Haitian songs, played football and soccer with the kids, told Bible stories and just interacted with the community in general.
Star of Hope would like to send at least one StarTeam a month to one of the aforementioned countries. Haiti will require more. People are willing to go but the cost is prohibitive. For that reason a new donor program is being instituted. In addition to having donors for the Child Sponsorship programs, Star of Hope would like to build a base of donors willing to give on a regular basis to a fund that will grow and help supplement the trip expense for individual team members. For Child Sponsors it is easy to get excited when they receive a photo of their sponsored child. It is possible to get just as excited when you get a picture of the entire enrollment of school children standing in front of a new and/or refurbished school building or church. These two edifices are the lifeblood of a community.
There are many Christians who have witnessed many times to different people in the course of their lives. Most never know the effect of their words. They obediently share as God directs and move on. The same is true of the team members on ministry trips. They do not get to "stay and see" they just answer the call to GO. When a building is constructed one can see the excitement in the faces of the community and that in itself is a reward. When one travels to be a part of a ministry team the reward is in ones heart knowing that he/she has been obedient to what God has called them to do. You can share the joy by knowing that you have a part in the work of these teams.
No team member will get a "free ride". Everyone will be expected to either pay their way in full or do their own fundraising for at least 50% of the cost. The average cost of a trip is $1,000. If it is a building project more money may be required to help pay for supplies. Each member will be responsible to procure and pay for their own passport which is now approximately $125.
Would you please consider signing up to be a regular StarTeam member sponsor. You can make a one time donation or you can donate on a regular basis. All donations are tax deductible.
