From the very beginning of Quest, we have had a vision of seeking the welfare of the community in which we live. We understood that when we seek the welfare of others, God would give us ours in the process. Conversely, we understood that when we seek our own welfare first, at our core, we are simply serving ourselves. Jesus told us that He did not come to serve Himself, but He came to offer Himself as a servant to all, and at Quest, we want to follow that model.
We also understand that we live in a global community and that we can not ignore the incredible needs of the world around us. We envisioned connecting with a post-Christian mission field (like Germany) as well as a third world mission field (like Haiti). Fortunately, God has given us a connection with both of these. And once again, this year we want to sacrificially give of our resources to the ongoing projects we have connected with in Haiti.
If you are new to Quest, let me describe what we have been doing for the last few years and what we will be doing again this year. Haiti is the poorest country in the Western Hemisphere. The island of La Gonave, off the coast of Haiti, is known as “the poor of the poor, the forgotten of the forgotten.” There is a small mission on that island known as WISH (West Indies Self Help) that has been dishing up kindness, practical resources and tremendous encouragement for the last 50 years. We have simply partnered with them to touch some really challenged people with some simple kindness, some practical resources and some heartfelt encouragement.
This year, we will once again take a special offering on Christmas Eve that will go toward continuing our work of rehabbing a Youth Center that aims at helping young people in the city of Anse-a-Galet, where the unemployment rate is 90%. Young people there have very little hope of advancing beyond the poverty and discouragement that surrounds them. However, along with a great group of churches, the WISH Youth Center has a tremendous opportunity to help the thousands of teenagers in that community to experience and hear the hope that comes with Christ, as well as receive very real and practical help.We have two teams that will each spend a week on La Gonave (at their own expense) investing in the completion of this venue. Will you help us help them? Ask the Lord what He would have you give toward this very exciting opportunity.