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| Proud Papa |
Come over and play at the farm one day and see the new babes on the farm this spring! We'll be here Sat, April 21st most of the day for you to visit some of our babies, collect some eggs and visit other critters around here. We are also hoping to buy a few goats for people who need a goat for more than a pet. Jeb is also collecting donations at farm visits this spring to send to a Haitian Goat Project:
http://fohomissions.org/2.html
The goat project helps Haitians by teaching them to use their natural environment to raise goats, giving them much-needed protein. The Goat Project is designed to help Haitians develop skills to raise livestock themselves as well as instill in them the need to help each other and give back to their community.
The process begins when someone sends $45 to purchase a female goat which is given to a family which has been trained in caring for a goat (vaccinating for parasites, trimming hooves and proper feeding). The female is bred and the first kid is kept by the family. The second kid born is given back to the community and goes to another family. the third kid is kept and the fourth is given back. The cycle continues. Under this plan, new families receive goats and the original family is able to build its herd. Male goats are usually sold and the money is used to purchase new female goats.
Marv travels throughout Haiti several times per year to vaccinate and trim the hooves of the project goats as well as teach the families how to repeat the process.
Traveling is most difficult in the Southern regions because the only access is through long and winding rivers. There is a very short period in late winter which is dry enough to travel. One must ford the rivers 27 times! Often times there are many other animals not associated with our project that show up for the vaccinations. Since our ultimate goal is to help as many Haitians as possible find Jesus as well as the means to a better life, Marv attempts to vaccinate as many of these non-program animals as possible.
There are over 55 churches that participate in our goat project.
Marv's home church in Spring Arbor, MI, has celebrated Jesus' birthday the past several years by publishing a 'wish list' of gifts that Jesus would probably choose. A goat for a Haitian family was on the list and was a favorite gift for families with children!
Last year their Vacation Bible School has a contest between boys and girls to raise the most money for a designated mission project. The children bring pop cans and loose change. Several years ago, FOHO's Goat Project was chosen as the recipient. Every time $45 was raised, another paper goat was hung on the wall amidst lost of cheering. It was especially fun to deliver all those goats!
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| Being a middle child is tough. |
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| Redneck Girl--Jeb's pick |
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| Little Dan, Little Ann and Redneck Girl. |
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| Mable |
