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Pastor helps bring hope to Haiti through 'Convoy'

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June 30, 2010

by Ellin Walsh

Reporter

Cuyahoga Falls -- A local pastor traveled to Haiti recently to feed youngsters both physically and spiritually.

Saying God has a heart for both missions and children, Fallsite Kent Jarvis, pastor of Akron First Assembly of God, visited the Caribbean country June 8 to 10 as a guest of the international relief organization "Convoy of Hope."

Convoy is a nonprofit organization based in Springfield, Miss., which provides food and water for people in need around the world. Akron First Assembly donates to Convoy on a regular basis; it's particularly supportive of Convoy's "One Day to Feed the World" program.

Jarvis joined seven other pastors from around the U.S. in visiting Haiti, at Convoy's invitation, to see firsthand what their financial backing is providing.

"It was almost sensory overload to see so much in so little time," Jarvis said.

Convoy had an established presence in Haiti prior to Jan. 12's devastating earthquake; the organization was feeding 11,000 children there every day before the quake struck, according to Jarvis. In its aftermath, Convoy of Hope is focusing on expanding its meal distribution there to alleviate ongoing suffering, the pastor said.

"In the city of Port Au Prince," Jarvis said, "you still see a lot of destruction. They took us into some areas hit hardest by the earthquake and when you see it in person, it's hard to convey. There are homes that are just collapsed. Rubble. And they're still digging through some of the piles to find victims."

The pastor described the two private schools he visited, one in the mountains and the other on the outskirts of Port Au Prince, as "an oasis" amidst the ruin.

"It's as if the children get a respite from what's going on all around them when they get to school," Jarvis said, "even though the condition of the buildings isn't good by our standards."

School is a place where youngsters are fed; for many children, Jarvis said, the meal they receive there, usually a simple mix of beans and rice, may be the only food they get on a daily basis.

"Those kids appreciate whatever they're given," Jarvis said, adding the youngsters bridged the language barrier with their broad smiles.

Jarvis has been pastor of Akron First Assembly for almost nine years. The church's congregation includes residents of Cuyahoga Falls and Stow. Jarvis said he has a "very missions-minded church, which puts its money where its mouth is." Akron First Assembly supports more than 80 missions or organizations worldwide. While he is glad God planted him where he did, Jarvis said, "I love to be a part of what God is doing around the world. I count it as a privilege -- an extreme privilege. When you reach a child, you have an opportunity to affect somebody for a lifetime."

Convoy had at least a quarter of a million meals ready to go when the 7.0-magnitude quake struck; its staff hopes to increase that number to 25,000 by fall, according to Jarvis. By keeping its overhead "extremely low," Jarvis said between 90 and 93 cents of every dollar donated to the relief organization makes it into the field. Manufacturers and vendors donate food and water to Convoy; cash donations allow the relief organization to ship food and supplies into other countries. Airlifting is extremely expensive, according to Jarvis.

"I saw the dollars that are being donated are making a difference," Jarvis said, "so I left Haiti with a renewed commitment to spread the word about Convoy and the good it is doing."

While rebuilding the country will be a slow process, Jarvis said, Convoy is helping Haitians make inroads "by planting seeds of hope."

For more information on Convoy of Hope, call Akron First Assembly of God at 330-836-5531. You may send contributions to Convoy of Hope via the church at 1175 W. Market St., Akron, 44313.

E-mail: ewalsh@recordpub.com

Phone: 330-686-3908




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