WHAT DOES the word HOLISTIC MEAN TO US?

​

In Lemuel, we believe in "whole person" development.  We believe that for positive change to happen in the world around us, positive change must first happen in us and in the people around us.  We believe that addressing one aspect of human need while ignoring the others is to ignore the way in which God created us.  We believe that poverty is deeper than a lack of money or material possessions.  And we believe that Christ's message of redemption must be lived out in all aspects of our lives.

 

When we say "holistic," we mean that we address all aspects of human need: social, physical, psychological, and spiritual as we seek to improve lives and living conditions in one small corner of Haiti. 

​

​

WHAT DOES the word POVERTY MEAN TO US?

​

Life on the Plateau is difficult and often feels like a vicious, downward cycle.  But treating the people of the Plateau as pitiable and in need of people to do for them and give to them is unhelpful at best and, more often, harmful.  A young lady on the Plateau once described poverty as someone with no land or livestock and no one to care for them.  “Do you think anyone on the Plateau is poor?” she was asked.  “No,” she replied, “we are not poor.” 

 

Yes, the people of the Plateau are in need, but that need is not purely material.  We are in need of people who will walk beside us, show us our value and potential, and, at times, lend a hand of support and assistance when we cannot cross the next barrier alone.  Most of all though, we are in need of the forgiving and saving power of Jesus Christ, who is able to regenerate and renew all things -- from peoples’ hearts, to their relationships, to their land.  In His name we walk.

​

OUR WORK IN 12 WORDS:

​

We have chosen twelve words that more or less encapsulate what we do and how we do it.  While this list is by no means exhaustive, it gives a pretty good picture of who we are.