Haiti (MNN) — Being a small ministry means sometimes the most menial upkeep tasks have intimidating price-tags. For Haiti With Love is one such ministry, and Eva Dehart knows all too well how crucial finances can be when it comes to running a ministry.
“When you’re dealing with people, buying materials, and maintaining materials, staff, headquarters, and transportation, it does come down to the nitty-gritty,” Dehart says. “Sometimes, we need to say, ‘We do need your money, and your money is a blessing.’”
For Haiti With Love’s burn clinic(Photo courtesy of For Haiti With Love)
Most of For Haiti With Love’s American employees make a living elsewhere, since the ministry can’t always afford to pay normal salaries. American dollars go a long way in Haiti, so they are able to fund their employees at locations like the burn clinic.
“We have Haitian nurses in the clinic, and we pay far above minimum wage so they will be encouraged to do quality work and they can be proud of their positions in the clinic,” Dehart says. Still, their salaries are not always as much as the ministry would like.
Ultimately, money is “an absolutely necessary cog in the gears that keep everything moving.” They’ll stretch each dollar as far as it can be stretched, but they still need money to work with in the first place.
It’s not that For Haiti With Love is struggling to stay afloat. “We don’t waste resources, and by being small we have more control over how our resources are spent,” Dehart says. “There’s far less waste involved.”
“We plan ahead and try to be the best possible stewards of the Lord’s money, constantly keeping in mind that it is His money and it is ultimately God that we are accountable to.”
Last year’s Christmas in August banquet (Photo courtesy of For Haiti With Love)
The ministry always has to think about where money is going to go. Dehart says it eventually comes down to wise spending, working together with the Church to do the Lord’s work in Haiti, and trusting in God’s provision and plan.
Because they need to be careful with every penny, the projects they do plan exist for a reason. That’s why For Haiti With Love is asking for support for their burn clinic and the medical supplies it requires, not to mention the Christmas in August fundraiser coming up in a month.
