After HMI had been working in Haiti for several years, trying to improve the water situation, developing schools for the children and building a house here and there for some of the families that were in desperate circumstances, Fr. Joe asked us to consider helping the extremely poor families in some way. As he put it, “All the families here are poor, but some are in truly pitiful shape. Please try to help them somehow.” We asked, “What do you want us to do?” He replied, “Anything!” 

The mission group at the time started kicking ideas around and we came up with the idea of doing something like Thanksgiving or Christmas baskets as we do for needy families here in the US. So that’s what we did. Fr. Joe gave us the initial list of 28 families. 

We came back home and invited members of our church to give us $35, and we would give the families some cash in their own currency ($20) and $15 worth of groceries. We would buy oil, macaroni, soap, sacks of flour, rice, sugar and beans from the local markets to help the economy and make family distribution packets. We decided for the first 28 that we wanted to visit them personally, so we set out on finding where they all lived up and down mountains, hills and into forested areas, so we eventually found them all. As we would present them with their gift, after rejoicing and thanking us profusely, they almost always asked if we could consider helping their neighbor also. When we looked at their neighbor’s hut, even though we were visiting the poor, their neighbor certainly didn’t look very much better off. I would write down their name, ask them to pray that we could find enough sponsors for the next year and hope that God would help us help these people. 

At some point in time, it became impractical for us to visit the families individually, so we came up with the invitation card system. When we receive a $35 sponsorship gift, the donor’s name and address are typed on the card. Upon arrival in Haiti, the cards are distributed to the 150-160 Haitian families on the list inviting them to come at a specific date and time to receive their package. Usually there is a day or two between the time that the card is delivered and the time that the package was presented. During that time that card was carried in the individuals’ pocket or purse so that by the time they presented the invitation to us, most of them were crumpled and soiled. Thus, we affectionately began referring to these precious cards as “Dirty Cards.”

Each mission trip is highlighted by packing the supplies and each member of the mission team is assigned a position in the distribution line to interact with and give a portion of the supplies as the invited family comes in two by two. The last station of the process is a prayer station which is always a special blessing as we pray with them for their needs and in thanksgiving of HMI donors who make it all possible.

Each mission trip gives these $35 gifts to 150-160 families, all of whom benefit tremendously from this seemingly insignificant present.  After the completion of 5 Groups, HMI distributes to nearly 800 families. When funds are available, HMI has also been able to arrange for distributions even when a mission group is not in Haiti.

It appears these little $35 gift packages multiply 100-fold. Click below to see the invitation card that each family receives. These cards are cherished by each family who receives them. 

I will assure you that you will have a family praying for you asking God to bless you abundantly for your kindness. You will also get a “dirty card” back as a sign and symbol of their love and appreciation. 

Why don’t you consider these cards as a form of Evangelization? Tell your friends about our Dirty Card Helping Families program. Invite them to put $35 to good use.

Send us an email or write a note when you respond to this newsletter to send you some extra cards to give to interested friends and family. You can donate directly on the donation tab of the HMI website. 

Thanks again for helping us help others.

CLICK TO SEE A DIRTY CARD