Sending You Thanks
Word from Wiese
23 August 2023
90+ degree weather in Georgia!
So let me cool you off. Let me remind you of the 60-degree weather we enjoyed in March. March was also “really cool” because of March Madness when COS participated in Hoops for Haiti. You filled out fun brackets and together raised about $4300 for God’s special children in Haiti. “Playing” with other ELCA congregations, we raised together $32,000!
Last week, over 200 kids attended “The Best Camp Ever” in Jacmel, Haiti, because of your generosity. Like our VBS at COS, it was a week full of fun, faith-building worship and lessons, dancing, crafts, music, and silliness. In this beautiful country plagued by such violence the last couple of years, how precious that these kids got to enjoy being kids!
Providing food was another key element of this camp. Knowing these kids are often under-resourced, we celebrate how over 2,360 meals were provided over the 4 days of camp!
Another really cool feature of “The Best Camp Ever” is that the severely disabled young adults we help support at Wings of Hope participated. COS disciples who have traveled to Haiti will see via video these special faces mixed in with the kids dancing and playing! How wonderful is that, to have all of God’s kids included in the fun!
Speaking of fun, click on the two video links to see some of the kids in action. One video looks like a follow-the-leader game with drum support. The second is a clip of a silly dance. In addition to dancing, you can see the cross and stage where worship and faith presentations are held.
The picture of Maya (HTF director who has preached at COS twice) in the yellow shirt giving a bag of American rice to a woman is not camp per se. But it is the “80 for Haiti” effort in action. Some of the moms who bring their kids to camp are the same moms who need food support. And thanks to your gifts, as you’ve learned, every $80 given can feed a family of four for two months. (They are given far more than rice!)
So, do you feel any cooler in this hot Georgia August weather? I hope so! You should feel the cool breeze of the Holy Spirit, offering a word of THANKS to you for how your generosity last March made The Best Camp Ever come alive this August in Haiti, providing Jesus’ joy and life to over 200 children. Thanks and well done!
In Christ’s hope,
Pastor Fritz
