Big Break 2010

Spiritual Conversations While Packing Meals for Haiti

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Photo by Jonathan Moynihan

By Jonathan Moynihan 

 26 . March . 2010

Samantha (white shirt) and Natalie (yellow swimsuit) have been friends for a few years. Both traveled from Wisconsin to Panama City Beach, Fla. for spring break, but neither had plans of getting together during the week.

One went to Florida to party, the other went to grow in her newfound relationship with God.

Their paths seemed headed in completely different directions.

However, at this year’s Big Break, students are given a chance to talk to students on the beach about the Haiti relief project, and invite them to join in the effort.

The opportunity allows students to engage with spring breakers in gospel-centered conversation while packing meals, and that’s just what Samantha did.

The University of Wisconsin-Stout junior is attending her first Big Break after accepting Christ this past December. Knowing Natalie would be in Panama City Beach, Samantha called and invited her to take part in the Haiti relief effort.

Not only was Natalie excited to help, she brought her friend Amber to join as well.

The next day, Samantha accompanied Natalie and Amber into the hallway of the Edgewater Beach Resort where the meal-packing frenzy would occur.

Miley Cyrus’ “Party In the USA” bellowed into their ears from speakers down the hall. Rice seemed to dance on nearby tables as the bass thumped its way throughout the complex, while the irksome aroma of burnt plastic overtook their senses.

The friends settled in at a table where they’d be checking bags for weight, and then sealing them to be shipped.  (Read about what goes into packing meals for Haiti.)

The students worked diligently, only pausing briefly for a photo before scuttling back into a frenzy of ingredients, bag sealing and boxing.

After getting acquainted with their respective tasks, Samantha and her friend Katie (blue shirt) began engaging with Natalie and Amber (black shirt) about spiritual things.

Katie asked the girls some questions from the Quest spiritual surveys the students have been using on the beach. After some more discussion between the 4 young women, Amber asked, “how do you know God’s plan? How do you get there?”

Katie explained that a relationship with God comes through faith in Jesus Christ. “I was able to go through some of the points of the gospel,” she said. “I was so excited.”

After the meals were packed, Natalie and Amber expressed an interest to attend a Big Break conference session.

Pray that Samantha is able to speak with Natalie and Amber more, and that these 4 friends could soon become united as sisters in Christ.

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Haiti Earthquake Update Months after the earthquake, Haiti still needs your help. by Rich Atkinson Updated 16 . August . 2010 img-haiti refuge-465x280 Photo by Claudia Dewald Flattened homes and buildings and structures that are skeletons of themselves still remain near the epicenter. With about 1.5 million people left homeless, tent and tarp cities have popped up in and around Port-au-Prince.  

It’s been more than 6 months after a 7.0 magnitude earthquake shook Port-au-Prince, Haiti, creating a sea of rubble and an ocean of death and destruction.

But not much has changed in the landscape.

For this country considered the poorest nation in the world even before the catastrophe, it is even more of a struggle now. The January 12 quake killed more than 200,000 and it’s estimated that it doubled the number of orphans.

Soon after the disaster, GAiN, the humanitarian ministry of Campus Crusade for Christ, arrived and started phase one of their efforts -- the relief phase -- where they responded with food, medical care, counseling and distribution of non-food items too.

Currently, GAiN is involved in phase 2: the recovery phase of a 3-phase plan to help Haiti.

This recovery phase includes helping develop a plan for the distribution of aid including food, the development of a ministry center and volunteer base, as well as working with medical and volunteer teams.

The 3rd part, the reconstruction phase is focused on the long-term development of Haiti including building permanent housing and helping develop trade schools and microenterprise projects.

Duane Zook, Chief Executive Officer of GAiN, says “What came down in 35 to 50 seconds is going to take not days, not months -- years and maybe decades to rebuild.”

Pastor Esperandieu Pierre, national director of Campus Crusade in Haiti says, “There is a crisis of leadership in Haiti,” says Pastor Pierre, whose first name means “hope in God.”

“There are 4 things people can do to make a difference,” he says. They can invest their finances, time, influence, and their expertise.

Ways they can help with their expertise include using their construction skills to help with construction projects or by teaching Haitians a life-skill that will help empower them.

GAiN has short-term mission trips for Haiti in January, March and June of 2011. The teams will distribute aid and will possibly be working on construction projects in Chambrun about 12 miles north of Port-au-Prince.

Listen to video stories from Campus Crusade for Christ’s Haiti national director, Pastor Esperandieu Pierre.

18 . March . 2010

All JESUS film team members have now been found. The last team member had fled Port-au-Prince to a remote location and was unable to contact other staff members until recently.

13 . January . 2010

Shortly before 5:00 p.m. local time on Tuesday, January 12, a 7.0-magnitude earthquake struck near Port-au-Prince, Haiti, killing tens of thousands. The rampant destruction has been widely reported in the news.

Catch a glimpse of Haiti before the earthquake.

Students & Campus Crusade Staff Members in Haiti

Campus Crusade for Christ has a number of missionaries working in Haiti. The director, Rev. Esperandieu Pierre, and his family as well as the second staff family -- previously unaccounted for -- have been located and are fine.

The JESUS Film Project® also reports that several teams continue showing the JESUS film wherever possible throughout the city. One JESUS film team member is still missing.

Tragically, a few student leaders involved with the Campus Ministry died during the earthquake.

Global Aid Network Responding

Global Aid Network (GAiN), the humanitarian arm of Campus Crusade, previously sent a container of food and shoes to Haiti in case of a disaster, so they have supplies in place for distribution.

The 2 containers hold up to 43,000 lbs. of materials each -- the size of a tractor-trailer.

GAiN Germany is working to send 5 containers full of baby food, while GAiN USA will be sending 2-3 more containers of food and other supplies.

GAiN Worldwide is working together to raise money and deliver the supplies as fast as possible. Give to the relief work in Haiti.

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