When Hurricane Matthew tore up the east coast of Florida in early October, we were forced to close our offices to ride out the storm. Personally, I lost a couple of big trees and had water damage from all the rain, but it was nothing like what the meteorologists predicted. We were able to clean up the damage, and life went quickly back to normal.
Unfortunately, that was not the case for Haiti, where the Category 4 hurricane did incredible damage a few days before it hit Florida and the Southeastern United States. Everyday life will continue to challenge those living in this impoverished island country. But as Christmas draws near, we hope you’ll join other Charisma readers to make a difference in the life of a child in Haiti, a child who needs to experience the love of Christ.
It’s been several years since we’ve asked our readers to participate in a fundraiser for the poor at Christmas. Considering the devastation of Hurricane Matthew and the many needs in Haiti, I’m asking you to help us help those who have so little.
I believe this is what Jesus meant when He said if we do it to one of the least of these, we’ve done it unto Him (Matt. 25:40). And isn’t it His birthday we celebrate Dec. 25?
There are relatively few ministries specifically raising money for the poor at Christmas. If you support one, please continue to do so. But for many who won’t do much more than slip a dollar into the red Salvation Army kettle in front of their local retail store, this is your opportunity to make a difference where a great need exists. We raise the money through Christian Life Missions, our nonprofit partner, and 100 percent of what you send goes straight to children in Haiti who otherwise would have nothing at Christmas. Your gift of any size will make a huge difference.
For 60 years, Christian Life Missions has been giving readers of Christian Life magazine (our predecessor) and now Charisma a way to channel donated funds to worthy causes—usually ones we write about.
Starting in 1955, Christian Life Missions raised funds for poor Christians in war-torn Korea, and over the years, we have helped ministries large and small with donations from our readers. The efforts have amounted to millions of dollars.
One fundraising project was designed to help a young woman named Danita Estrella. We wrote about her burning desire to help in this destitute nation. Danita had no experience, and almost no money. At the end of the article, we invited our readers to support her. Around $70,000 came in, which gave her seed money for her ministry. At that time, she had 26 children in her care. Today, she runs a children’s home housing 108, a school for 300 children, a pediatric medical center for the northeast region of Haiti and a nondenominational church to reach the community. Learn more through her website, danitaschildren.org.
After the hurricane, my wife and I felt we should donate to her ministry. I thought about how little those children have compared to Americans. When we give to the poor, we lend to the Lord (Prov. 19:17).
We know Danita’s ministry and its integrity. We will send her everything we raise. She will spend it all on giving gifts to children who otherwise have nothing. Those gifts might be toys, maybe pairs of shoes or something else they need. They will be gifts to brighten their lives and let them know someone in America cared enough to send them.
Our company will also give generously, but we can’t do it alone. Please give generously, knowing that the children will benefit entirely from your generosity. Overhead and administrative expenses will be paid for separately. Danita told me this allows them to give to children outside their ministry—and to share the love of Jesus in the surrounding community.
Please make out your tax-deductible checks to Christmas for Danita’s Children, c/o Christian Life Missions, 600 Rinehart Road, Lake Mary, Florida 32746. You can also give during business hours by calling 407-333-0600, ext. 5100. Online you can give via PayPal at christianlifemissions.org.
Imagine how much we could send to Haiti if every reader gave $5 or $10, added to the large gifts that will come in.
During this Christmas season, remember again if you do this to one of the least of these my brethren, you’ve done it as unto Christ. What a wonderful way to say, “Happy Birthday, Jesus” and “Merry Christmas.” {eoa}
Stephen Strang 
