Sharing Vision, Sharing HopeDirector’s CornerBy Scott Sabin, Executive Director

What a great week! The hotel was in a beautiful spot, overlooking a rocky cove with a secluded beach, amidst lush tropical forest. Not the Haiti of popular imagination, but the perfect spot for Floresta’s Fifth International Meeting. Although not expensive, the hotel was nice and other than a few UN workers, our international delegates had it to ourselves. We had come from Thailand, Tanzania, Mexico, the Dominican Republic, the United States, Canada and Haiti to be here in Jacmel for the Floresta International meeting. After dinner the first evening there was a small combo playing merengue and konpa music on the patio, and gradually I noticed that the saxophone player was in the midst of an extended solo. What I wasn’t prepared for, when I turned around, was the fact that the soloist was none other than our Dominican director, Carlos Disla, sitting in with the hotel band.

It was just one of the many moments that made our time together special. Others included multilingual devotions in Floresta’s new office in Grand Colline, learning old Haitian folk songs from one of our Haitian board members and visiting the villages to see both old

Planting Hope Gala Meets with Unprecedented Success

In This Issue:DEPARTMENTS:Director’s Corner ................................. 1Volunteers of the Quarter .................... 3 Faces of Floresta ................................. 4

FEATURES:Planting Hope Gala Success .............. 1-2Haitian Hope ....................................... 5Village Spotlight................................... 6Breaking Floresta News ....................... 7

continued on page 2...........................................

Winter 2009

A Publication of Floresta USA, Inc.

Call 800.633.5319 THE SOWER Winter 2009 | 1

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Tui (Thailand) Raul (Mexico) Albert (Tanzania) and Edith (Tanzania) enjoy a light moment at the International Meeting

Shirley and Barry Billingsley

Floresta would like to give special thanks to all of our Gala Volunteers for making the night a truly unforgettable evening. Thank you, volunteers! We couldn’t have done it without you!

Planting Hope Gala Meets with Unprecedented Success photoessay continued from page 1

visit www.floresta.org2 | THE SOWER Winter 2009

Brad Lewis, Scott Sabin, Rich Houk

Gala Successes!

Planting Hope Gala held on Oct. 4th at the San Diego, Marriott, La Jolla

its programs around the world

donated to the live and silent auctions

Relief in Haiti

tables—thank you Table Hosts!

Jeff (Board Chair) and Sally Busby, Shirley Billingsley, Gala Committee Chair, and Doug Satre, Floresta staff member

Chris Castillero and Cristina Terry proudly display their village market purchases

Murray Decker, Board Member, and Chris Elisara

Friends join together for a group shot during the gala excitement

“Now all glory to God who is able through His mighty power at work within us to accomplish infinitely more

than we might ask or think.” -Ephesians 3:20

The Village Market featured distinctive crafts from a variety of villages where Floresta works around the world. Throughout the evening, a buzz grew as guests compared colorful Thai scarves, authentic corn husk dolls from Mexico, and beautiful wooden crosses from Tanzania, among other unique gifts.

John and Sarah Lord, Gala Volunteers

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Ron Kimura and Lola Jordeth

Clay Westling, Sarah Ward, Nicole and Dave Franco

Donna and Jay Shirley Albro Lundy with daughter, Neva, and son, Aldon. Neva shared about her internship experience in Tanzania last summer.

PLANTING

GALAhope

Save the date for next year’s Planting Hope Gala. It’s sure to be a night to remember!Planting Hope Gala 2009 October 10, 2009San Diego Marriott La Jolla

This year’s Planting Hope Gala was an extraordinary suc-cess. An unprecedented number of Floresta supporters, friends, and family joined in on the memorable evening

-ing programs. This memorable evening and fundraiser would not have been possible without the hard work and dedication of this year’s Gala Committee. The committee,

a vital role in the planning and execution of this fabulous event. Under the detailed and dedicated direction of Shir-ley Billingsley, the committee planned the décor, recruited guests, generated enthusiasm, and secured donations for the silent and live auctions. They also planned and pro-duced the Village Market, which allowed guests to step into Floresta’s villages around the world by purchasing distinc-tive crafts such as hand-crafted pine needle baskets, deli-cious Floresta coffee, and colorful Thai scarves and napkins. The committee contributed invaluable insight, time, and resources, many even devoting hundreds of hours to making this year’s gala a success. We are incredibly grateful for the Committee’s priceless contribution and thank them all for putting on a magnificent event. Thank you, Gala Committee!

Barbara AndersonKelley CarderJoanie CrawfordMarlene DominySusan ForrestAimee Halfpenny

Kathy HarveyEloise HousmanDebbie InadaCecily JaynesDianne JohnsonBrad Lewis

Francie MurphyStephanie SelarkaLinda SmithPearl Wong

Next year’s Gala Committee is already hard at work plan-ning Floresta’s Planting Hope Gala 2009. If you have a knack for event planning or just love getting involved, contact

be a part of Floresta’s biggest event of the year.

Some of the committee members at the post-gala appreciation dinner. Front row: left to right, Susan Forrest, Marlene Dominy and Eloise Housman; Middle row: Barbara Anderson, Kathy Harvey and Shirley Billingsley;

Top row: Linda Smith and Dianne Johnson

Volunteers of the Quarter: The ‘Planting Hope’ Gala Committee

Shirley Billingsley, Committee Chair

4 | THE SOWER Winter 2009 visit www.floresta.org

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and new friends. It was a blessing just to be here in Haiti – we had twice scheduled the meeting here in the past, only to move it due to political unrest. After the hurricanes of August, we had briefly considered postponing it again. However, despite hurricanes and economic crisis, Floresta-Haiti was eager to host the growing Floresta family. Our international leadership meets as a group every two years to solidify vision, enjoy fellowship and learn from the experiences of the host country. This year, we spent two and a half days in meetings, three days visiting the field and another two days enjoying Haiti’s surprising tourist attractions. For me, perhaps the most gratifying aspect was seeing the interchange between countries, as people from around the world worked to overcome language and cultural barriers to share what they had learned about fighting poverty and deforestation and to enjoy one another as brothers and sisters in Jesus. Everywhere I looked there were informal meetings taking place, as people from seven very different countries worked together to solve common problems – a single team was being forged. And as I enjoyed the miracle of collaboration that was taking place, I remembered how important our partners in the US – supporters, prayer partners, volunteers and donors – are to this team.

Faces of Floresta: Albert Samson, Mbwambo, Tanzania

Whether on the soccer field or teaching sus-tainable agriculture techniques to farmers in the field, Albert Samson Mbwambo is a team player. Combining his love for the environ-ment and desire to serve those in need, Albert works as Floresta Tanzania’s Agrono-mist. Thanks to Albert’s agricultural expertise, hundreds of farmers are increasing the yields of their farms and gardens and learning to take care of their land for future generations.

Birthplace: Kilimanjaro, TanzaniaCurrently working in: Floresta Tanzania.Years working with Floresta: Job title: Agronomist

Brief job description: I am responsible for group formation and training on environmental conservation techniques such as family gardens and tree planting.

How you became involved with Floresta: I was working with the Bureau of Forestry on a study tour to Kilimanjaro when I saw an advertisement for a job at Floresta. I applied and the rest is history!

Motivation for working with Floresta: I wanted to work in the Kilimanjaro region and wanted to improve my skills.

Environmental conservation and improving agriculture. I like the job because I have direct contact with farmers and I enjoy the teamwork.

Favorite Floresta memory: banks that grant loans, accumulate capital, and help community members

groups!

my family

Favorite book: Books about agriculture and environment; a book on the edible trees and shrubs of East Africa

Favorite quote: “If a man will not work, he shall not eat.” In other words, “Work hard so you may eat.”

I am from the same tribe

auctioneer to raise funds for our VICOBA groups. Some Roman Catholic sisters from the event were so impressed they asked me to raise money for one of their projects.

Albert teaching on the benefits of planting trees

__________________________________The Sower Issue #83.

The Sower is published quarterly by Floresta USA

4903 Morena Blvd., Suite 1215San Diego, California 92117

Ph: (858) 274-3718, (800) 633-5319.Fax: (858) 274-3728

E-mail: info@floresta.org www.floresta.org

Call 800.633.5319Call 800.633.5319 THE SOWER Winter 2009 | 5

Despite Four Hurricanes, Haitian Hope and Tenacity ContinuesIt is easy to overlook if you are not paying attention. People still smile and offer friendly greetings as you walk down the narrow paths. The sun is shining and corn is coming up on the hillsides. However on closer observation, the downed trees and ragged crowns of disheveled palms are everywhere. Late this summer, four storms hit Haiti within the space of a month: Fay, Gustav, Hanna and Ike. Gustav, they said, brought the worst winds, knocking down trees, leveling cornfields and sending aluminum roofs scything through the air. Then Hanna came and stayed, with eight straight days of torrential rains. That was what killed the animals.Homes are still missing roofs or walls, whereas on churches and schools, brand new aluminum stands out on the roof, contrasting with the rust of older pieces. The fresh scars of new landslides are everywhere, and only one lane of the main highway to Jacmel is open. When you begin to talk with people, an even starker picture comes out. Most families are down to two meals a day. Contaminated water and disease are a big problem.

percent suffered significant damage to their homes and

are traditionally used as a savings account to be sold when times are tough, died in the hundreds. Most families have received no outside assistance, other than what Floresta has been able to offer. So once again the people of Haiti tighten their belts and put a brave face on their hardship. We visited Kanje, near Bainet, where a new Floresta

group has a tree nursery and a cistern. Their main source of income is bananas, breadfruit and corn, all of which were hit hard. The president of the group, Jean Francios, told us that right now even the firewood is wet, so they couldn’t cook their food even if they could afford it. However, in nearby Savanet we got some good news as we walked through a micro-watershed project. In these projects, Floresta brings together all of the landowners around a stream or drainage area and helps them to work together to apply soil conservation techniques and plant trees to protect the water source. In Savanet, fifty families are participating in the protection of the watershed, planting trees, establishing rock barriers and installing contour canals. Jean Baptist, the president of the group, said that he was certain that the corn they had planted just

of rain that lashed the hillsides. However, he was stunned that where the erosion control techniques had been applied, the corn had sprouted and was doing well, in sharp contrast to the land around it. Nonetheless, they have been heavily impacted. The secretary of the group, Maurice Decoline, showed me his home, with most of two walls still missing. Another home had been leveled and the entire family was living in the separate kitchen. In spite of all this, the spirit of the Haitians is amazing. They remain positive and courageous.At Floresta we are committed to serving our brothers and sisters in this difficult time. As The Sower goes to press, Guy is distributing goats to families that lost animals. Later they will repay Floresta with the firstborn kids, which will be distributed to additional families. We are also buying seed to be distributed in time for planting. We hope to help

help, please respond in the enclosed envelope or online.

which have been pledged to match contributions to Haiti hurricane relief. Thank you so much.

Maurice Decoline, Secretary of the Floresta group in Savanet, in front of his damaged house

New roofs and ragged palms in Savanet

Maurice Decoline of Savanet with his children

6 | THE SOWER Winter 2009 visit www.floresta.org

Village Spotlight: Church, Community, and Change in Loma Ardilla, MexicoSteep hills. Violent rains. Little access to the outside world. From an outsider’s perspective, the small Mexican

hillside that renders the village inaccessible by vehicle whenever it rains, seems to have little reason to hope. But with the encouragement of Floresta, this isolated village has joined together to improve their lives and their land. Just last year, the Prince of Pastures Church, which sits on the precarious hillside of Loma Ardilla, embarked on an exciting new initiative called Church, Community, and Change, which utilizes Floresta’s unique Bible study curriculum. The church members are now asking themselves how they can act as an agent for positive change in their community.

The community has already united to build a tree nursery to produce countless seedlings that have been planted to reforest and restore the steep, eroded hillsides they depend on for their survival. In addition to the tree nursery, community members have constructed a cistern to store life-giving rainwater, utilized fuel-efficient stoves to reduce the need to cut trees for fuel wood, built ecologically friendly latrines to keep waste products out of village water sources, and initiated a chicken project that provides both income and nutrition. “We participated in the nursery and reforestation. There have been many challenges but God has blessed us and the trees are growing. Thank you for all the support; it has been a great benefit to the church and the community,” said one farmer, Ananias. The community is coming together for another construction project, but this time instead of a tree nursery or cistern, this building will be home to the Prince of

Pastures Church. The old church building, small and dilapidated, couldn’t hold the surge of new members, many of them children who are now eagerly participating in the growing Sunday school program. “Since Floresta started working with us, the children’s ministry has grown a lot…We thank Floresta and thank God that a lot of children attend church now,” said church member, Juan Perez. The roof of the new building is completed, but it will be a year before the wood dries out enough to put up the walls. The church is not yet finished, but changes in the hearts and lives’ of community members in Loma Ardilla is already taking place.

Floresta village sponsors can make a difference in the lives of many other rural farmers and communities, empowering them to cultivate their faith as well as trees.

Ardilla. You will receive updates of your village along with stories from farmers like Ananias and Juan Perez. First time sponsors who sign up with our automatic payment option will have their first year’s donation matched! To learn more or sign up, please fill out the enclosed envelope, visit our website, or contact us at

Community members put the roof on The Prince of Pastures Church, which will accommodate the growing number of active members

Members of the Prince of Pastures Church, Ananias is standing in the back center with the collared shirt

Juan Perez, left, and Rodolfo, church leader, gratefully recount Floresta’s impact on their community

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Breaking News: What’s New at FlorestaArtists Advocates in Action

entrepreneurs to speak up for those who don’t have a voice, Vox Culture Houston has hosted two benefit concerts on behalf of Floresta. A portion of the proceeds has gone to support Floresta’s Sponsor-A-Village program in Ashira, Tanzania.

partnership program. Derren Raser, a San Diego based musician and our first partnering artist, will be touring in the Midwest this spring where he will continue to share about our ministry and to encourage new supporters of our work. To find out more about our artist partnership program, contact

Floresta Happenings

changing work with the rural poor on a Floresta Vision Trip to the field. 2009 Vision Trips: Tanzania,

Christmas Gift Idea: give the gift of monthly Floresta coffee. In partnership with Just Coffee, we can now deliver a pound of delicious Fair Trade, Shade Grown coffee every month directly to your

Visit our blog at www.florestablog.org

peeled for our exciting new marketing campaign!

New ways to support Floresta: Tax-free gifts from your IRA!

with individual retirement accounts. Thanks to the extended charitable IRA legislation, you can once again make outright gifts using IRA funds without tax complications. If you are required to receive minimum distributions from your IRA and you do not need the money for personal use, consider using those funds as a charitable gift. While you cannot claim a charitable deduction for the IRA gifts, you will not pay income tax on the amount.

or more public charities. The Benefits: In most cases, the transfer counts toward your minimum required distributions, generates neither taxable income nor a tax deduction, and may be in addition to or fulfill any charitable giving you have already planned. The Next Step: Be sure to contact tax professionals and your IRA administrator if you are considering a gift under this law.

This fall Floresta’s board of directors unanimously approved the establishment of Endow Floresta, an endowment designed to perpetuate Floresta’s work of transformation in the lives of the rural poor. With a pledge

managed by the Rancho Santa Fe Foundation and will provide an ongoing source of revenue to support our core programs. We encourage you to consider adding Endow Floresta to your estate plans, and also to consider a designated gift to help us get the endowment growing! Please contact Doug Satre in the Floresta office for more information.

Environmental tip of the quarter: It’s not too late to order environmentally friendly Floresta Christmas Gifts!Searching for a special, meaningful Christmas gift for your friends, family, or coworkers? We’ve got just the thing! This year, plant a tree or Sponsor A Village in honor of a loved one, and you’ll be giving some Christmas cheer

month per village, you can give your family and friends a gift that reflects the true spirit of the season. With each gift purchased, you’ll receive a Floresta

for a stocking stuffer or to mail out as your regular holiday card. To learn more, log on to www.floresta.org or

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Planting Hope Gala a record-breaking success! Check out pictures from the memorable evening (page 2)

Haiti hit by four storms... Find out how Floresta is helping Haitian farmers rebuild. (page 5)