What Does "Reciprocal" Mean?

On September 28, 2022, Hurricane Ian hit just north of the barrier island of Sanibel, off the coast of Fort Myers, Florida.  One of the worst storms in Florida’s history, it packed winds of 155 miles per hour, just shy of Category 5 speeds, and propelled an

8–15-foot storm surge that “overwashed” Sanibel – that is, submerged it in seawater. Many homes and businesses were washed away while many others were heavily damaged.  The road to the island was even washed out.

Nothing escaped unscathed, not even Sanibel Community Church.  The church campus was heavily damaged.  Even though their homes were destroyed or heavily damaged too, the congregation came together to rip out the flooring, take out damaged pews and equipment, and sheetrock all over the campus.  Their property was used as a staging area for relief efforts on the island.  

They didn’t feel their pain alone, though.  Their Haitian Sister Church of 5 years, Formond Baptist Church, heard about Sanibel Church’s destruction.  Being near the ocean, they have been through many hurricanes.  They were also affected by the 2021 earthquake.  They are no strangers to disaster.

Their Sister Church’s plight touched their hearts deeply.  Out of their extreme poverty, they collected money for months, and in the fall of 2023, they sent a check of $1,000 US dollars to RMI for the Sanibel Church to help with their rebuilding efforts.  

A short time later RMI President, Dan Shoemaker, visited Sanibel Church during a Sunday morning service and presented Pastor Jeramie Rinne and the congregation with a $1,000 check.  As he announced the generous gift, there were audible gasps from the congregation.  They couldn’t believe that their Haitian Sister Church cared so much and had given so much. 

There wasn’t a dry eye as they clapped with appreciation.  It was very touching.  To experience this kind of reciprocal ministry was humbling.  He also presented Pastor Jeramie with a certificate of appreciation from the Formond church for all that Sanibel Community Church had done for them.

This is what RMI, Reciprocal Ministries International, is all about. This is the Body of Christ in action, ministering one to another. When one part of the Body is in need, the others come alongside and provide for the need as God enables.  Sanibel Community Church has ministered to the needs of their Haitian sister church at various times and now it was their turn to minister. God doesn’t look at the size of the gift but at the heart and capacity of the giver. What a great example of how a C3 partnership impacts both churches. This is how the Lord transforms lives by breaking down those things that divide us and make us one by His Spirit. 

Important Hope for Kidz News from the RMI President

Hope for Kidz is a program that has had a dramatic impact on the lives of not just kids by providing them hope through education but also their families, their churches, their communities, and their schools. It is a huge help in this time of unprecedented inflation and runaway costs in Haiti. However, because of the extreme situation RMI is facing, we must raise the cost of sponsorship by $5, from $35 to $40 a month. This decision was made after much deliberation, discussion, and prayer, and with the blessing of the RMI Board. 

Here is why.  Since the beginning of last year, RMI has recognized that we were facing an issue that needed a solution or we would have a serious financial deficit in the Haiti operations budget. RMI has been having to draw out of our very limited reserves thousands of dollars every month to subsidize their budget for several years now and our funds were drying up. We understood that the shortfall was because we lost the income teams provide when they visit. Due to having to cancel just about all teams for the past six years, this has caused a major shortage of income for the field as well as for RMI in general.

Teams bring in a significant amount of funding that helps pay for salaries and many administrative costs as well as provide significant cash flow for the field, enabling them to efficiently manage their finances and along with other sources of income cover their operating costs. Canceling teams since 2019 has caused the field to lose over $600,000 of administrative income. 

Another huge issue for the field has been the rate of inflation over the past several years. Currently, items that used to cost $10 are now $30 to $50+.  Food costs have absolutely skyrocketed. We have had to provide raises and multiple bonuses over the last several years to try to help our staff feed and care for their families. We have not wanted to lay anyone off as they are all needed, and they simply don’t have other choices for income for their families. Fuel costs, material costs, etc. have risen to exorbitant levels. 

After much cost-cutting and analysis of the situation by both our staff and the RMI Board, we determined that we needed a two-fold solution. At the end of this past year, 2023, we initiated the Stand in the Gap fundraising program led by Rob Thompson to help cover the costs for the field for this present year, 2024, and to help make up some of the deficit from years past. God raised up 160 donors who helped us meet this need. The second part of the solution has been to raise the Hope For Kidz sponsorship cost by $5.00 a month. As the Hope For Kidz program plays a major role in field administrative costs, this will be a great help in helping to cover the added costs on the field for 2025 and following. This will plug the deficit that they have been having every month, enable us to provide a modest raise to the staff, and not have to subsidize the field every month. This will provide much-needed relief for the field and their needs.

Thank you for your understanding, support for our staff on the ground in Haiti, and particularly your participation in sponsoring a child.  You are needed now more than ever!  

Dan Shoemaker, President of RMI