Imagine being so poor that you have no choice but to eat dirt. Unfortunately, many impoverished children in Haiti wake up facing just that scenario. To stop hunger pangs, these children eat “mud cookies” – dirt mixed with salt and oil and then baked in the sun. These cookies may stop their hunger, but they cause numerous health issues.
Loving Shepherd Ministries has worked in Haiti for over 17 years serving the most vulnerable children and we have seen firsthand the heartbreaking reality of children eating mud cookies. Before coming into our Homes of Hope, over 85% of our children suffered from significant malnutrition. But with your support, they are now provided with a basic necessity of 3 meals a day. Having enough food is often taken for granted in the U.S., but it is a luxury in Haiti. Below you’ll read the story of Jesulah, who suffered from terrible stomach pain caused by intestinal worms – a result of eating mud cookies. Her life was changed forever when she joined her Home of Hope family!
Haiti continues to face significant challenges, which has drastically increased the price of food. This includes the costs of rice, beans, and cooking fuel that has increased up to 5 times. These higher prices have put a substantial strain on LSM’s current budget in Haiti, including an additional $140,000 needed to cover increased food and cooking fuel costs. We have an urgent need to help cover these additional costs for our current Home of Hope children. Would you prayerfully consider helping LSM cover the additional $140,000 for food as we provide care for the current children in our Homes of Hope?
If you are a Family Sponsor, your support has helped offset the cost of increasing food prices. We appreciate your continued support as you consider a special, one-time gift to help LSM cover the continually increasing price for food beyond your generous ongoing support.
Hunger & Hope: A Personal Story of Eating Mud Cookies
Sixteen years ago, under the shade of a tree in Haiti, the life of a little girl changed forever. She had been abandoned by her father, and her mother had recently died. She was living with her grandma in extreme poverty.
“I (Ed) vividly remember on January 11, 2008, when God brought this little girl, Jesulah, and her grandmother to meet me. LSM was building our 2nd Home of Hope, and we planned to select 12 highly vulnerable girls to become part of this new family.
Jesulah and her elderly grandma timidly approached me. I asked if Jesulah had any health issues. Her grandma replied, “Yes it’s always her stomach…because she eats dirt”. Surprised, I asked why would she eat dirt? Her grandma sadly shook her head at my ignorance and said, “Don’t you know anything about Haiti? Children eat mud cookies when they are hungry to get rid of their stomach pains.” I was humbled.”
Due to extreme poverty, Jesulah had no choice but to eat mud cookies which resulted in terrible stomach pain from parasites and worms. We praise God that on May 25, 2008, Jesulah no longer had to eat mud cookies when she joined her new Home of Hope family! She was extremely thankful to receive not only love and care but to eat three meals a day. Over time, she began to heal from the parasites that had caused her terrible stomach pains. A few months later, she shared, “I love learning how to cook and eating meals with my new Home of Hope family!”
Because Jesulah personally knows the pain of eating mud cookies, she is passionate to help others who are suffering. We praise God for donors like you who helped to make this transformation possible – all for God’s glory.
For many of us, a plate of rice and beans may not be something that inspires us to praise God, but for Jesulah this was a lifesaving gift. With over 85% of the children in our Homes of Hope having suffered from malnutrition, they all understand the importance of food. Would you help LSM cover the additional $140,000 needed so that we can continue to care for others like Jesulah?
