Nickels for Nikkels & Hotcakes for Haiti

Okay, so I promise not to use my blog solely for information about my brother and his upcoming move to Haiti with his family. But since it's pretty HUGE stuff with so many implications, spiritual, emotional and financial, I think it's worth sharing when I can. If you ever have any questions, want more information or would even want Jared & Stacey to come speak to a group you're involved with, please let me know! Soon Stacey, Tiff and I will have this kind of info up on a blog specifically for Many Hands for Haiti. I'll let you know when that happens!

Fundraising is in full swing for the Nikkels as they prepare for their June move to Haiti. Through the Nickels for Nikkels campaign, we are currently trying to raise $30,000 so they can purchase a new truck, appropriate for the Third World conditions. We are asking those at our church and in our community to bring their spare change each week to help us make this goal. (Cash and checks are also being accepted.)

We have been asked some excellent questions about this $30,000 truck Jared & Stacey need. The truck is a Toyota Hilux, a model that is actually not even available in the United States and is designed for the poor conditions and rough terrain of the Third World. I want to take a minute and answer a couple of these questions because they are valid questions that I, too, might be asking if I didn't know the situation.

Why does it need to be a new truck? After all, many of us aren't driving around in new trucks, and $30,000 is a lot of money!

A key to understanding the need for this truck is to realize how awful the roads are in Haiti. It can literally take hours just to go 10 or 20 miles, and you may even have to stop and move a tree out of the way or ford a stream on the way if it has rained a lot! For this reason a truck takes a beating! They looked into the option of buying a used vehicle, but after being driven in these conditions, a used vehicle isn't worth much. Jared & Stacey need a reliable vehicle as they will likely be offering transportation to mission teams and Haitians as well as making trips for supplies, etc.

But why a Toyota? How about a Ford or something less expensive? The American car industry sure could use a boost!

There is a Toyota dealership in Port-au-Prince, so they can purchase the vehicle right there in Haiti as well as get parts when needed (and they will likely be needed!). To buy another model would require shipping a car to Haiti, which would be very expensive, and maintenance would be more difficult as well.

In Haiti, when you ask how many people fit into someone's truck, the answer is always "one more!" So picture this truck with the bed full of people! Having a reliable truck will allow Jared & Stacey to help many people out with transportation and be better equipped for their mission.

If you would like to give to this cause, collection containers are at Third Reformed Church and Gosselink's Christian Book Store, or you can bring your donation to Marion County Bank. If you feel led to donate and just want to mail a donation, checks can be made payable to Community Coalition for Haiti (CCH), the non-profit organization the Nikkels are working closely with, and mailed to Many Hands for Haiti, PO Box 204, Pella IA 50219. Please put "Nikkels in Haiti" in the memo line. Otherwise, I am happy to collect your donations and route them to the right spot as well. So, redeem those pop cans or empty that change jar! :) With just three weeks to go, we're only at about $5,000, so there is much work left to be done!

As a celebration of what God is doing through Nickels for Nikkels, we are holding Hotcakes for Haiti, a celebration breakfast, on Sunday, March 29, at Third Reformed Church. Pancakes, eggs, sausage, juice and coffee will be served from 7:30am-12:30pm. We will be taking freewill donations to be added to the Nickels for Nikkels total.

A Hotcakes for Haiti breakfast is also being organized in Sully in early April. It will likely be Saturday, April 4, so watch for details.

Thanks for considering this cause!