Haven of Rest: Dinner and Sleeping Arrangements

The first photograph is in the dining hall at the Haven of Rest;

Each night, around 100 men are fed and 20-25 women are fed.

The women sit separate from the men, and they also get their food about 15 minutes before the men enter.

Each tray is set the same; both the men and women file through a buffet line to get their main dinner plate and then take their seat.

If enough is left over, people will be offered seconds.

Full time staff as well as volunteers work in the kitchen; volunteers set up and serve the food.

This is an example of one of the rooms in the Harvest Home;

Women are welcome to sleep overnight in these rooms for whatever reason.

They may stay for a day, a week, 3 months, or even up to 6 months.

They are provided with showers, clean towels and bedding, a storage bin for their personal belongings - which must be emptied everyday when they leave... in case they do not return.

I spoke with one of the supervisors at the Harvest Home who worked with the Women's Day Room; all of the women referred to her as "Miss Thelma"

Fifteen women were staying overnight when I ate dinner with them and observed in the Women's Day Room. Many asked me if I was new; I wasn't sure how to respond. I told them I was new just for tonight. It was interesting to see the variety of women present and those that carried with them one small bag of belongings, and others who carried a couple luggage items and several other bags.

After dinner, I sat next to Miss Thelma's desk as she distributed medications to them women as they have need for it. Many of the women have prescription drugs while others have just vitamins and typical over-the-counter meds; all medications are kept in the office and it is closely recorded when medications are being taken. While staying at the Home, there are certain rules and schedules that must be followed. After dinner, they can smoke until 8pm, then they must remain indoors the rest of the night, showers are available, and until 9pm, they can access their medications with the help of Miss Thelma. She told me that for the most part, the women all get along.

As far as finances go:

Resources, material donations for the widows and children are always a blessing.

Basically monetary donations do the most here...as anywhere in the world. Our funding is from our business buyout 10 years ago. We also have a very faithful base of individuals and a few churches who sow into the ministry on a monthly basis. There is one business that gives us money to finish construction on the mission house each month as well. Basically Bill and I are self supported and we are also one of the largest contributors to each program because of the business buyout agreement. That will finish this year and next year with the house finished and the buyout contract up, we are very excited to begin to plant more churches because we will have more time.

-Karen Rumple

Karen emailed be in regards to various difficulties or barriers between the Dominicans and Americans

In regards to

Language:

"Bill and I don't see much of a language barrier as we do a cultural barrier. They take 2 hour lunches and actually cry tears if they work 1 minute past 12:00. They want their food and want it now. Where as we Americans will eat on the fly. They will not do this no matter what. Again, there are more cultural barriers of things that are unbelievably hard to understand as opposed to the language barrier."

Cultural Barriers in Communication:

"You must be very careful to study a culture and what offends and what does not. The Dominicans love to communicate with Americans unless it is something serious. Then, they do not like it. Americans like to speak to Dominicans only if they feel confident in their Spanish skills. Because of the cultural barriers that are present, conversations need to be kept very light. Our humor is mainly offensive to them. What we find funny they usually do not. And what they find funny we find very simple-minded."

Translators:

"Interpreters are not much of an issue any longer since Bill and I pretty much understand. We do not speak eloquently and when preaching something very important, we will use an interpreter. Interpreters also interpret when groups come to help the poor."

Karen goes on to say:

The goals of our organization are:

to plant as many churches as we can in areas that do not have a healthy church,

support each pastor through the produce of the farm,

take care of 100 widows someday,

also in our mobile medicine program which is brand new: we will take care of children with diabetes, have a prenatal program as well as std education, place asthmatic nebulizers in each barrio so people have the ability to get medicine faster than they do now, which is wait in line for 30 minutes as many of them pass out during that time.

The obstacles in any of our programs are time lines.

The people here move very slowly.

We Americans organize then take the bull by the horns.

But perseverance has become our key attribute in these last 10 years.

And things are coming together pretty well.

We will finally finish our mission house this year after having to live in 3 rooms for the last 9 years.

So, Praise The Lord!!!

Grace & Peace: Projects to aid the Widows as well as others...

The following is from the "Why is Grace and Peace Here?" page on their website.

The Farming Project: This project is important to assist all of Grace and Peace's other programs. This project will provide food for the widows, the children, the ministry center, all of the families of those laboring in the ministry and those that pass through the medical clinic where the doctors see a nutritional-based problem, along with many missionary families in our region of the country. This farm will have over 200 dairy cows, beef cattle, a fish pond for protein, 7000 chickens for eggs, 2500 ducks for eggs, 250 goats for meat and milk, pigs and many acres of vegetables.

Also from the Jan/Feb 2007 Newsletter, Bill Rumple updates about The Farming Project:

"The farm, which has by far been one of the most difficult "universities" of my life, is finally starting to produce a number of things. We've already been producing platanoes, bananas, corn, and yucca. Yucca is what the Native American Indians brought to the first thanksgiving using the term "Manioc". It is similar in shape to a sweet potato or a yam, but is stringier and has less taste. A couple things that grow real well on the farm, for which the soil is perfect, are peppers and onions. Along with peppers and onions, we have papaya, chinola (passion fruit), cabbage, and tomatoes. After using what things we need from the farm in the widows program for example, the overages get sold to pay for the farm costs and to buy things that we don't produce, i.e. rice, cooking oil, etc. Now that we've begun to bless the widows along with what they have been getting over the years, they are just thrilled to death and so are we!"

Grace & Peace Newsletter Excerpt

The following is from Grace and Peace Missionary Fellowship Newsletter

They generally post them on their website as well as have them mailed to everyone on their mailing list but with recent changes in their website administration and whatnot, I have not been able to access the most recent newsletters. Regardless, this one is from the Jan/Feb 2007 newsletter

New Widow Vehicle - by Karen Rumple

"In May of 2006, my second widow vehicle's engine went. Although this was my second vehicle, it was actually my third engine. I'm sure so many of you wonder why so many engines? Well, we did too. The cold hard facts are that some of my widows live so remote, that my vehicles tended to continually overheat as well as the fact that, because vehicles are so expensive, we tended to buy "fixer-uppers" for $10,000-$13,000. Well, I knew it was time for a better vehicle, so Bill and I agreed that most of the monies raised this past January would be used towards my new vehicle. We raised almost $16,000. Along with that, we put $2,000 more we had stored away and purchased a 2001 Toyota Land Cruiser. It's perfect. Not too flashy to be stolen, but sturdy enough to get me to each widow and back home safely. Since I like to visit certain widows by myself, I wanted a reliable vehicle. If you've seen those cell phone commercials where the guys are holding their phones out in front of them trying to find a signal, that's a great depiction of what we do here when we are in these remote areas. And many times there is no signal at all. Reliability was important, but even more importantly was the fact that at times I have sick widows whose family will not take them to the appropriate doctors. Just this past year, I watched Armancia Manuel (this is the same lady we visited while I was in the Dominican volunteering)die from diabetes. Her family kept telling me they would take her to the doctor for the correct medicines and once I realized they just weren't going to do it, she had a stroke. She died shortly after that and that's when we began to consider helping widows like her get that special medical attention. Thanks to so many of you who helped make all this possible."

I really felt like this article in the newsletter portrayed some of the obstacles and difficulties overcoming them as Grace & Peace interacts with these widows. Karen feels strongly about helping to provide for their needs, but at the same time, does not want to become a crutch for their families to lean on ALL the time. One of the hardest things is knowing where to intervene, or leave it up to the families to take the responsibility on themselves.

Also, in regards to the truck issue, the roads are not really roads in these Haitian villages where the widows live. It is mostly dirt and rocky terrain, and when it hasn't rained, the "roads" kick up a lot of dirt and dust.

Several times while I was there, we would ride in the back of the truck, sitting on the edges of the truck bed, holding on to the sides. Let's just say, there were a few occasions when we feared one of us was going to be dislodged from the truck... ;)

This is what we woke up to every morning...

July 4th, 2006 - July 18th 2006

I traveled to the Dominican Republic and actually volunteered with Grace & Peace with three of my close friends, and one of my best friend's mom.

This is one of the reasons I chose to blog about this international organization, but also because I feel a strong passion in my life towards the Third World and working alongside them to improve their living conditions, their health, their education, and their well being. While I was there, I learned a lot about life outside of the States, and I really enjoyed their culture - as much as there is a struggle as they continue developing as a country, the people are beautiful and many are genuinely happy with as little as they have.

I recently found my journal from my trip and I found this entry relevant to share in regards to the Widows Ministry:

"...So after we got done with that (referring to a study on sexuality with 14 local girls; the culture maintains that girls can not be Christians if they wear earrings or pants instead of skirts and there are issues that arise when they feel like they cannot practice religion or go to church because they don't own any skirts...), we got ready and went with Beth and Karen to visit a dying widow. Armancia - (was her name) -she had a stroke a few weeks ago, her face is slightly deformed, her bones are so tiny, her ankles were so small around and she had open sores from being in bed for so long. She can't really talk but she'll open her eyes and acknowledge that she can hear you. Mmm.. it was a horrific sight. She was like, shriveled up and they had this netting to put over her to keep bugs off. Her legs and feet were covered in a dirty t-shirt to keep the flies out of the wounds. Yeah, it was sad. She lives in Altagracias, a very poor Haitian batey and while we were there, these little kids took rocks and "keyed" Karen's truck. Well, more like "drew pictures with rocks" on her truck. They didn't know better. Today when we were back in the same area, she (Karen) asked them who did it and they raised their hands saying "Yo! Yo!" (I or Me in spanish) She explained how they cannot do that and that her husband was very upset. Then she talked to their mothers and they gently "swatted" them for it. When we were standing there, the kids were saying what a nice picture they made on the side of the truck."

We found out a couple weeks later that Armancia had died.

Not to be misunderstood in regards to the blue house/shack - because there are nice areas in the Dominican, but in the neighborhoods where Grace and Peace operates, the house wasn't as shabby as others...

Children.. Everywhere!

The girl on the far left is my older sister, Rachel

She volunteered with Grace & Peace in March of 2003, 2004, and 2005

These pictures were taken either by her, or fellow volunteers during her trips.

Home

This is actually a "nicer" house in the Dominican, and a cement floor was laid to replace their dirt floor.. the next picture shows what it looked like inside.

Women and Children and Living in the Dominican Republic

This picture shows women "at home"

Taking care of the children and doing laundry

There's chickens everywhere, and children...

This is a very common sight, and generally the women are cooking/taking care of the kids/doing laundry while the men either sit around, or aren't present at the home

This picture was taken by my sister, Rachel and it's from either Casandria or one of the surrounding Batey's in Dominican

Grace & Peace

International Organization:

Grace and Peace Missionary Fellowship

Is an American-based, Non-profit Organization

Ministering in the Dominican Republic

and in the future will also have a base in Peru.

Grace and Peace is assisted by both individuals

and missions teams and is supported by businesses,

professionals, churches, individuals, and organizations

through their time, talent and financial resources.

(When I spoke with the director, she informed me that she is in the process of renovating their website, so it may or may not be recently updated or even in functioning condition... nevertheless, the link is http://www.gracepeacemission.com/index.html )

Grace and Peace Missionary Fellowship began in 1985 as Bill Rumple traveled back and forth from Haiti until 1998.

In 1999, Bill and his family began preparations to move to the Dominican Republic, which shares the Island of Hispanola with Haiti.

January 27, 2000: The Rumple Family moved to Barahona where they began their Ministry Center.

Directors: Bill and Karen Rumple

Administrator: Linda Simmer in Ohio

Book-keeper/accounting manager: Stephen Hansley in Ohio

Bill and Karen have 5 children; 4 are stateside and the youngest lives with them in the Dominican Republic.

Nicholas, who is the youngest at 14, comes to America for 3 months in the winter and goes to a public school. The remaining 9 months of the year, he and Karen return to live in a small village called Casandria, in Barahona, where their compound is. Bill lives in the Dominican full time and returns to the United States in January to raise funds.

The Rumples have 25 helpers in the 7 programs through Grace and Peace:

Mobile Medicine

Widow Program

Children's/education program

Church Planting/Evangelism program

Farming project

Water Project

Building Project

An excellent explanation in regards to "Why Is Grace and Peace Here?" can be found by following this link: http://www.gracepeacemission.com/Our%20Mission.htm

How does Grace & Peace relate to Women in Global Society:

The Widow Program:

Providing widows with a range of needs including: food and water, clothing, medicine and medical care when needed, beds, adequate housing when needed, as well as circumstances that arise when they must be bathed, or simply need someone to spend time with them.When I asked the director "who qualifies" for their widow's program, she responded that she likes to go by the criteria written in 1 Timothy 5:3, which simply states:

Give proper recognition to those widows who are really in need.

1 Timothy 5 goes on to say that if a widow has children or grandchildren, they should attend to her needs and provide her with care. The widow's program definitely encourages families to take responsibility for their widows, and not abandon them or abuse them as they grow old, which is entirely too common.

Karen stated: "The widows here must beg for food or become a slave to their children in order for them to keep providing them with food and clothing. Many widows are forced to go on the streets to bring back money for the poor family (daughter's or son's) they live with and are abused if they don't bring back enough."

Interesting and sad how these women are abused by their own families for not receiving enough money from their begging.

The process for widows entering the program can be difficult to articulate; however, Karen described it as follows: (she provided me with detailed information via email correspondence from the Dominican Republic over the past several weeks)

"It takes me about 3 months to find out the "truth" as to whether or not they were truly married or lived together, as to whether or not the man actually died or left (and considered dead by all). It has taken me about 8 years to weed all of this out. I believe now that every widow I have is a true widow. I have an intense questionnaire that I use to get the important information and then after that, I do a surprise visit at lunch one time and then at supper. If there are men there, then usually they are not widows at all, just desperate to get into any program to eat. This is so sad for me because when I discover a woman who is not actually a widow and who is very poor, I put her on a list. This list of women get the bags of those who have gone up north to visit family, etc. When a widow is out of town, we do not give them food because the neighbor will steal it. We give it to one of the women on the "not really a widow" list.

We give them 15 pounds of rice, 5 pounds of beans, 30 chicken bouillon and 1 pint of oil every 15 days. Bill also give them whatever he has from the farm. Mainly he gives them plantains but will begin very soon to give them live rabbits to butcher and eat."

More to come....

Haven of Rest: Harvest Home for Women & Children

I originally went into this project with the plan to follow a local organization that dealt with unwanted pregnancies, STD's, unprepared soon-to-be parents, adoption verses abortion issues, etc. however, I had difficulty getting information as well as relating it to my international organization. Long story short, I decided to blog about an organization who's site we could walk to from class, one that I have already directly interacted with and observed firsthand; an organization filled with loving people directly bringing change and inciting hope in the lives of many, specifically the homeless and troubled in Akron, Ohio.

Haven of Rest:

www.havenofrest.org

http://www.havenofrest.org/site.cfm/Programs-Services/Womens-Childrens-Division.cfm

Located on East Market in downtown Akron, is the largest private social service organization in North-eastern Ohio and is "widely recognized for its work among poor, homeless, and spiritually destitute people. Its doors are open 24 hours a day, 365 days a year" and there are approximately 85 full and part-time employees who handle day-to-day activities, along with more than 600 volunteers who perform various tasks like food preparation, washing dishes, babysitting, leading Bible studies, etc. all of which is overseen by a 19-member Board of Trustees.

Haven of Rest operates independent from government agencies or any financial assistance from the United Way; in 2006-2007, 85.2% of its support came from individuals. The remainder of funds was provided by bequests, foundations, churches, and the corporate community. Haven of Rest holds firmly to its commitment to Christian principles which it was founded upon by Rev. and Mrs. Charles C. Thomas.

"Their burden for the poor, the homeless, and the spiritually destitute led them to establish a rescue mission in a tiny storeroom at 41 North Howard Street in Akron, with just 40 people. ... To help fight against hunger, Haven of Rest Ministries prepares and serves thousands of free meals each year; in 2007 that number totaled 284,085."

When the Haven of Rest began in 1943 as a ministry for homeless, providing food, chapel services, and lodging for those in need, its operating budget was $35/month. It has since tremendously expanded and now operates with a budget of over $7 million annually. "The majority of all funds received goes into programs and services. In 2006-2007 that amounted to 75.2% of every dollar."

Also, most of the food is donated and the average cost for Haven of Rest is $1.92 per meal.

The programs offered by the Haven of Rest include providing food, shelter, drug rehabilitation, safety, and hope to those in need.

The Marjorie Ruth Thomas Harvest Home for women and children was constructed in 1979, in response to the growing need for an emergency shelter for women and children in crisis situations. It can accommodate up to 52 women and children and referrals general come from agencies, hospitals, churches, and the court system.

Some stay for weeks or months, and some stay for only a night; the average stay at the Harvest Home is around three months.

The residents vary from abandoned single mothers, to runaway teenagers, to young women struggling with drug addictions.

Harvest Home employs a full-time child advocate to help children cope with issues and staff also works directly with the women to help meet their physical needs, as well as assist them in steps towards improving their futures.

Residents are provided with emergency shelter for approximately three to six months, three meals and two snacks a day, clothing and household items, career development programs, computer literacy/GED, random drug and alcohol screening, group and individual therapy for chemically dependent women through Community Health Center, health issues taught by medical professionals, nutrition classes, case management, Sunday chapel services, child care during classes, Bible studies, tutoring for children, after school program, summer kids programs and field trips, expressive art therapy.

The residents are monitored by a supervisor, and a night supervisor is present every night. They oversee the daily schedule, as routine is important as a means to encourage responsibility for the mothers, and also for the children to feel a sense of normalcy and routine.

The Women's Day Room provides women with the ability to begin rehabilitation process that will lead to the stabilization and reestablishment of their lives. They have access to laundry, showers, mail pick-up, counseling, etc. as well as access to the Learning Center which houses the Education Department and Career Development Department. All enrolled in the residential rehabilitation programs are required to spend two hours a day, four days a week in the Learning Clinic. "The objective is that they will achieve the following minimum goals:

1. Reading at eight grade level (2 levels above the national norm)

2. Writing at eight grade level

3. Mastering math skills through pre-algebra level

4. Obtaining a high school or general education diploma

5. Mastering MS or DOS computer operations

6. Becoming employable

Residents also receive assistance in developing a long-range plan for their career advancement."

This organization is unlike most that I have encountered in the past. It stands out and functions separate from the government, which allows them to decide and direct the ways they provide services and the restrictions they place on the recipients of these services. For example, it is "required" for men and women to attend a chapel service before being served the evening meal. When I asked what happens if individuals show up after or during chapel, and if they are still served, I was told they never turn people away.

As far as the residential program goes, there are guidelines to follow and potential residents are required to read over the guidelines and sign a written agreement to abide by these standards during their stay. Also, whenever women show up at the door of the Harvest Home, they are required to take a drug test. If they don't pass the drug test, they are not turned away, rather told that in order to stay, they must make serious efforts towards remaining clean and kicking these habits. If they are repeatedly failing drug tests, they are reminded of their agreements and may be asked to leave.

I have seen people's negative reactions to the structure of Haven of Rest, and how the "rules" and guidelines that have been established and maintained over the years. Many people disagree with making chapel a requirement, yet it IS a faith based organization. The entire ministry is centralized around a Christian worldview and it is important not only to provide those in need with tangible items, but so much more so to provide them with spiritual guidance and reveal the true source behind the services that are offered to them. The Haven of Rest shows people that they are important, restores their dignity, and loves them through the difficult times of life.

In the words of Mother Teresa,

"Being unwanted,

unloved, uncared for,

forgotten by everybody,

I think that is a much greater hunger,

a much greater poverty

than the person who has nothing to eat."

(this, along with more Mother Teresa quotes can be found at: http://home.att.net/~hillcrestbaptist/mt.html )

*all information on Haven of Rest was either directly from the Haven of Rest webpage, or from a print-out of their history, provided to me by the volunteer coordinator, Jan Pluck.