How did the “Haitian Timoun Foundation” get started?
In the late 90s, Rick Barger, Lead Pastor at Abiding Hope Lutheran Church and founder of HTF, visited Haiti. He met a few amazing individuals – Haitians, or long-time residents of Haiti – who were making a real difference, especially for kids. At the same time, he fell in love with the people and the place. He inspired others from the congregation to see and meet Haiti for themselves. What they discovered went far beyond the abysmal image portrayed in the media. Returning home to American, these initial visitors felt inspired, energized, lifted up to nothing short of new life and hope – through the life and hope they saw in Haiti.
They came to realize a simple truth: WE NEED HAITI – their resources of strength, courage, sense of community, their abiding hope! And HAITI NEEDS US – our resources of experience and money, our awareness and willingness to learn and spread the truth about them and us.
The Holy Spirit was at work. And in 2000, the HTF was formed: a non-profit foundation, dedicated to changing lives for the better – especially for children and youth in Haiti, but also kids and adults right here (“timoun” means “child” in Haitian Creole). Though it originated with Abiding Hope L. C., HTF has spread, to include more congregations and organizations who want to partner with a mission that works – that brings real life and real hope.
In a nutshell – what is HTF all about?
Simply put, the mission of HTF is the mission of God, declared by Christ himself: “I came that they may have life” (John 10:10). Life for too many children in Haiti is desperate, brutal, and short. At the same time, life here in the U.S. can be isolated, fearful, and shallow, swallowed up by concerns that steal our very souls. Christ offers us all a more excellent way: love, community, connection, life to the fullest, nobody left out or thrown away.
This is God’s mission; this is the mission of HTF: That ALL May Have LIFE!
What does HTF do?
We find and support proven partners already in Haiti – native Haitians, or committed residents – who are actually making a difference for kids. They may not be the biggest, but they are among the best. And they do what they do because they are inspired by the same mission (see above!).
Is this really working?
You decide. In the last five years, HTF and its partners have:
• Brought over 1500 orphans off the streets, into a real home, and into a real future, as leaders in their communities (St. Joseph’s Home for Boys, Trinity House, and House of Blessings).
• Created the finest facility for disabled children in the Caribbean (Wings of Hope).
• Given the poorest of the poor a college education (H.E.L.P. in Port-au-Prince).
• Provided HIV and TB treatment to kids with nowhere else to turn (Grace Hospital).
…To name just a few examples. And all this has been done, with NO OVERHEAD – 100% of gifts to HTF go straight to Haiti.
What can I do?
• You can sponsor a child.
• You can pray for our kids and the work being done.
• You can write a check for a crazy amount.
• You can visit Haiti with us, and meet family you never knew you had – friends you will never forget. They will never forget you.
You can give life. You can have life. The life God has always wanted, for all of us.
