Facts about OH3
FAQ 1 - WHY USE OH3?
1. It is an individual effort. Not a burden to congregations.
2. You can feed a family for a month for the cost of eating out once!
3. It is a tax-deductible IRS 501(c)3 organization.
4. 100% of the food donation OH3 receives goes to help New Testament Christians in critical need.
5. It provides more food at less cost than the flat rate box approach.
6. It provides tracking of food purchases and distribution
7. It gives individuals, with the means and desire, a channel to share with brethren in critical need that is over and above the individual's contribution to their local congregation.
1. It is an individual effort. Not a burden to congregations.
2. You can feed a family for a month for the cost of eating out once!
3. It is a tax-deductible IRS 501(c)3 organization.
4. 100% of the food donation OH3 receives goes to help New Testament Christians in critical need.
5. It provides more food at less cost than the flat rate box approach.
6. It provides tracking of food purchases and distribution
7. It gives individuals, with the means and desire, a channel to share with brethren in critical need that is over and above the individual's contribution to their local congregation.
FAQ 2 - IS OH3 COMPETING WITH THE LOCAL CHURCH?
Absolutely not. We do not solicit nor accept church funds. We have no interest in doing the church's work, and we are happy to share information with churches so that they can pursue their own efforts. OH3 does not ask you to deduct your contributions here from your local church contribution. OH3 is simply an opportunity for individual Christians to fulfill Galatians 6:10 by doing good to all men, "especially those of the household of faith." We have preached individual effort since the '50's. This is that which we have preached.
Absolutely not. We do not solicit nor accept church funds. We have no interest in doing the church's work, and we are happy to share information with churches so that they can pursue their own efforts. OH3 does not ask you to deduct your contributions here from your local church contribution. OH3 is simply an opportunity for individual Christians to fulfill Galatians 6:10 by doing good to all men, "especially those of the household of faith." We have preached individual effort since the '50's. This is that which we have preached.
FAQ 3 - IS OH3 COMPETING WITH OTHER METHODS OF BENEVOLENT HELP?
Absolutely not. If you, as an individual, want to help your brethren by sending a $42 flat-rate box of food, a check, a money order, a wire transfer, send help by a preacher's hand every six months or a year, or use a carrier pigeon - please do that.
OH3 is simply another way that individuals may assist brothers and sisters in great need. We believe it addresses some of the problems that are necessary evils of the above methods such as...
=== exorbitant wire fees
=== no real contact at the site of distress
=== poor communications from those receiving aid
=== tax-deductibility for individuals to use
=== food for a family for a month, rather than a small box that may last a week, AT THE SAME OR LESS COST.
Absolutely not. If you, as an individual, want to help your brethren by sending a $42 flat-rate box of food, a check, a money order, a wire transfer, send help by a preacher's hand every six months or a year, or use a carrier pigeon - please do that.
OH3 is simply another way that individuals may assist brothers and sisters in great need. We believe it addresses some of the problems that are necessary evils of the above methods such as...
=== exorbitant wire fees
=== no real contact at the site of distress
=== poor communications from those receiving aid
=== tax-deductibility for individuals to use
=== food for a family for a month, rather than a small box that may last a week, AT THE SAME OR LESS COST.
FAQ 4 - WHERE DOES MY MONEY GO?
COST BREAKDOWN
ONE $50 gift One 50 kg. bag of mealie-meal will feed a family for over a month. (Present cost of bag - about $30 plus transport costs)
xxx 20 family gifts like the above amount to 20 bags, or 1 metric ton. This is about the delivery capacity of our trucks. 1 ton of meal delivered breaks down very close to the following...
$600 mealie-meal (The staple food in Zimbabwe)
$240 transport costs (diesel fuel is near $8/gal. plus truck repairs)
$100 inflation costs (to stabilize pricing efforts)
$40 wire fee, packages for postcards and seed
$20 return postage for thank you cards purchased in Africa
$1000 TOTAL program cost for one metric ton of meal, delivered xxx
Note: The $1000 above will feed 20 families at $50 each for over an entire month.
COST BREAKDOWN
ONE $50 gift One 50 kg. bag of mealie-meal will feed a family for over a month. (Present cost of bag - about $30 plus transport costs)
xxx 20 family gifts like the above amount to 20 bags, or 1 metric ton. This is about the delivery capacity of our trucks. 1 ton of meal delivered breaks down very close to the following...
$600 mealie-meal (The staple food in Zimbabwe)
$240 transport costs (diesel fuel is near $8/gal. plus truck repairs)
$100 inflation costs (to stabilize pricing efforts)
$40 wire fee, packages for postcards and seed
$20 return postage for thank you cards purchased in Africa
$1000 TOTAL program cost for one metric ton of meal, delivered xxx
Note: The $1000 above will feed 20 families at $50 each for over an entire month.
FAQ 5 - IS FOOD AVAILABLE IN ZIMBABWE?
We heard that food had to be mailed from the US because it is not available there."
Answer: Food is very scarce, some stores have been absolutely empty in the past, but lately that has changed. Food is usually available. During September ’08, we purchased 8 metric tons of mealie-meal locally from a miller that was willing to sell us 60 more tons two days before we left the country! Since that time almost all of our purchaces have been local. We now have trucks that can travel to Botswana and/or Zambia to purchase food, if necessary, which is a second option.
FAQ 6 - ARE WHITES WELCOME IN ZIMBABWE?
"It is being reported that Whites are not welcome in Zimbabwe and their presence is a danger not only for themselves but for the Zimbabwe brethren. Is this true?”
Answer: There is a lot of misinformation circulating. Much of the information may have been accurate at one time, such as when the elections were taking place, but that was just for a limited time. Travel was safe during September ’08 and neither we nor the brethren were ever in danger. I have great confidence in the judgment of the men on the ground in Zimbabwe. They know the situation and they have advised us when it is not safe, so we do not go into those areas. Such was the case when I (M. Divis) was there in early March ‘08, right before the elections. We canceled several trips for that reason, but as of September ‘08, all is at peace and we traveled with no hindrance - only a few police road blocks, which the men there were able to deal with easily, most of the time passing with just a wave of the hand. The brethren welcomed us and actually asked us to stay longer and visit more places than we had the time to do.
"It is being reported that Whites are not welcome in Zimbabwe and their presence is a danger not only for themselves but for the Zimbabwe brethren. Is this true?”
Answer: There is a lot of misinformation circulating. Much of the information may have been accurate at one time, such as when the elections were taking place, but that was just for a limited time. Travel was safe during September ’08 and neither we nor the brethren were ever in danger. I have great confidence in the judgment of the men on the ground in Zimbabwe. They know the situation and they have advised us when it is not safe, so we do not go into those areas. Such was the case when I (M. Divis) was there in early March ‘08, right before the elections. We canceled several trips for that reason, but as of September ‘08, all is at peace and we traveled with no hindrance - only a few police road blocks, which the men there were able to deal with easily, most of the time passing with just a wave of the hand. The brethren welcomed us and actually asked us to stay longer and visit more places than we had the time to do.
FAQ 7 - SHOULD ZIMBABWEAN PREACHERS BE SUPPORTED WITH FOREIGN FUNDS?
“Some believe that Zimbabwean preachers should not be supported with foreign funds, as from the US. Such support causes jealousy. Is this true?”
Answer. I believe such a statement boarders on hypocrisy. The charge is certainly not scriptural. If there is a problem with jealousy, you teach on the sin of jealousy, but you don’t throw the baby out with the bathwater and you do not deny a worthy man the support for his labor. Paul “robbed other churches,” taking “foreign funds,” (i.e. Macedonian funds to do Corinthian work, 2 Cor. 11:8-9). He also taught that soldiers don’t serve at their own expense, oxen who tread corn should not be muzzled, and lessons like this were given out of God’s concern for MEN, not oxen, 1 Cor. 9:7-10. I know from personal experience that it can and does work to help support faithful men with US dollars, especially in Zimbabwe, where local churches do not have the means to support Zimbabwean preachers.
Consider also along this line. If it is wrong to support foreign preachers with US funds, where is the scripture that says so? If it is wrong to support foreign preachers with US funds, why are US preachers supported in foreign lands year after year and decade after decade? What scripture draws the line of division between a native preacher in a foreign land and a US preacher in a foreign land? Why is it ok to support one and not the other? And when the above questions are answered with scripture, let us really put the ax to the root of the tree and ask by what right a Kansas preacher can receive support from Texas or a Missouri preacher can receive support from Alabama? When the unscriptural line drawers and judges of good judgment are finished, then I will be curious as to where they draw the line between continents, nations, states, and counties, and who will be considered as lawful and who will be receiving unlawful support. I prefer to not muzzle the ox that is treading out the corn, period.
“Some believe that Zimbabwean preachers should not be supported with foreign funds, as from the US. Such support causes jealousy. Is this true?”
Answer. I believe such a statement boarders on hypocrisy. The charge is certainly not scriptural. If there is a problem with jealousy, you teach on the sin of jealousy, but you don’t throw the baby out with the bathwater and you do not deny a worthy man the support for his labor. Paul “robbed other churches,” taking “foreign funds,” (i.e. Macedonian funds to do Corinthian work, 2 Cor. 11:8-9). He also taught that soldiers don’t serve at their own expense, oxen who tread corn should not be muzzled, and lessons like this were given out of God’s concern for MEN, not oxen, 1 Cor. 9:7-10. I know from personal experience that it can and does work to help support faithful men with US dollars, especially in Zimbabwe, where local churches do not have the means to support Zimbabwean preachers.
Consider also along this line. If it is wrong to support foreign preachers with US funds, where is the scripture that says so? If it is wrong to support foreign preachers with US funds, why are US preachers supported in foreign lands year after year and decade after decade? What scripture draws the line of division between a native preacher in a foreign land and a US preacher in a foreign land? Why is it ok to support one and not the other? And when the above questions are answered with scripture, let us really put the ax to the root of the tree and ask by what right a Kansas preacher can receive support from Texas or a Missouri preacher can receive support from Alabama? When the unscriptural line drawers and judges of good judgment are finished, then I will be curious as to where they draw the line between continents, nations, states, and counties, and who will be considered as lawful and who will be receiving unlawful support. I prefer to not muzzle the ox that is treading out the corn, period.
FAQ 8 - AREN'T THOUSANDS ALREADY BEING SENT INTO ZIMBABWE?
“Aren't multiplied thousands of dollars already being sent into Zimbabwe from churches and brethren?”
In a word, yes. In September ’08 we were able to observe and ask questions about the help that is being sent into Zim. We found three main methods being used
We think that we can do better. We can feed a family of 6 for $50, for over a MONTH. If you’re reading this you are already on the website that can explain how this is done. Just click on the home page and start reading.
“Aren't multiplied thousands of dollars already being sent into Zimbabwe from churches and brethren?”
In a word, yes. In September ’08 we were able to observe and ask questions about the help that is being sent into Zim. We found three main methods being used
- Money is being sent by the hand of preacher/messengers and being handed out. This method works but some preachers are only visiting every six months or a year and that is a long time to wait when you’re hungry.
- Thousands of dollars per month is being funneled through one American preacher and through him to one African preacher who is distributing funds among congregations in the south. This was the last area we visited in September ’08 and we went there to preach, having given out all our benevolence because we were assured that money had been sent to this area and the brethren were cared for. We found, to our dismay, the same tales of hunger. We confirmed through a number of different brethren from different congregations in different parts of this area that by the time the “thousands” filtered down to individual Christians they were receiving from $120 Zim to $150 Zim, amounting to about $.25 US per Christians. You’re reading that right, a quarter. Since just a loaf of bread costs 10 times that amount, this was not accomplishing a thing to help. We are not accusing anyone and we certainly will not explain how this is happening. We are just reporting the facts on the ground as we found them. Let the chips fall where they may, this method is not working.
- The third method we inquired about was flat rate boxes of food that are being sent in from the US. These boxes cost about $42 we were told and can be packed with as much food as they can hold. These boxes ARE filtering through. Many in the US are not hearing back from their recipients because agents in the Post Office are intercepting the thank you notes and just tossing them into the trash. We were given nearly a hundred to post in the US when we arrived home and we did that for the brethren. These flat rate boxes are being received with gratitude and thankfulness. They are fine and helpful gifts. There are two problems, as we were told however, One) is that you can only get about enough food in them for about a week. That is a week of food for $42 mailing plus the cost of the food. Two) is that while in Bulawayo we heard about stacks of these boxes, undelivered, sitting in warehouses, some broken open and exposed to rats. This is hopefully, uncommon, but that is what we found. Please go slow in discontinuing this method in all places becasue as stated above, when the boxes come through, they ARE appreciated, but...
We think that we can do better. We can feed a family of 6 for $50, for over a MONTH. If you’re reading this you are already on the website that can explain how this is done. Just click on the home page and start reading.
FAQ 9 - HOW DOES MY DONATION TURN INTO FOOD?
When someone makes a donation of $50 to OH3 it is broken down into the six categories illustrated by the chart on FAQ 4. That’s how we keep track of funds for food, fees, and transporting the food to the Christians in need.
We only use men for delivering the food who are…
1. Already of established reputation and
2. Already involved in the work of assisting their brethren, for love, not pay.
3. Have the means to get the food delivered, and
4. Agree to our terms, i.e. keeping receipts, providing thank you notes, etc.
Once these messengers contact us with the need in their areas…
1. The funds are wired (to a bank account if they have one, or by Western Union if they don’t) directly to the brother on the ground there that we know and trust. Note: in the past this was not possible in Zimbabwe without paying 80% bank fees to the government, and even then the funds that the banks made available on a daily basis was limited, so arrangements were made to wire funds into neighboring countries for pick up. That has since changed with the passage of a few new laws so that those fees are now removed and it is financially expedient to wire funds directly into Zim. Praise God.
2. The delivering brother arranges to purchase the food in the nearest cost efficient place that it is available. At certain seasons this is easily done at the local miller/market. At other seasons local food is not easily available and borders must be crossed to purchase food in Botswana, Zambia, and South Africa.
3. The delivering brother is provided with funds for food purchases, transport costs (diesel fuel usually), thank you cards for those donating, and postage to return those cards to the states.
4. The delivering brother personally oversees the food distribution to Christian families and takes care of receipts and sending the cards.
I hope this explains clearly how food is purchased and delivered. Mac
When someone makes a donation of $50 to OH3 it is broken down into the six categories illustrated by the chart on FAQ 4. That’s how we keep track of funds for food, fees, and transporting the food to the Christians in need.
We only use men for delivering the food who are…
1. Already of established reputation and
2. Already involved in the work of assisting their brethren, for love, not pay.
3. Have the means to get the food delivered, and
4. Agree to our terms, i.e. keeping receipts, providing thank you notes, etc.
Once these messengers contact us with the need in their areas…
1. The funds are wired (to a bank account if they have one, or by Western Union if they don’t) directly to the brother on the ground there that we know and trust. Note: in the past this was not possible in Zimbabwe without paying 80% bank fees to the government, and even then the funds that the banks made available on a daily basis was limited, so arrangements were made to wire funds into neighboring countries for pick up. That has since changed with the passage of a few new laws so that those fees are now removed and it is financially expedient to wire funds directly into Zim. Praise God.
2. The delivering brother arranges to purchase the food in the nearest cost efficient place that it is available. At certain seasons this is easily done at the local miller/market. At other seasons local food is not easily available and borders must be crossed to purchase food in Botswana, Zambia, and South Africa.
3. The delivering brother is provided with funds for food purchases, transport costs (diesel fuel usually), thank you cards for those donating, and postage to return those cards to the states.
4. The delivering brother personally oversees the food distribution to Christian families and takes care of receipts and sending the cards.
I hope this explains clearly how food is purchased and delivered. Mac
FAQ 10 - HOW CAN YOU CLAIM 100% OF YOUR FUNDING GOES TO FOOD?
I believe it was John Wayne who once said, “It’s not bragging, if it’s true.” I’m not sure about that, but I am sure about this claim that we make. Before I explain, let me apologize on behalf of ignorant brethren, who I understand have made public statements around the country in reporting on the work in Africa, that accuse us of falsehood and have simply stated that such is not possible. I want to apologize for their ignorance because to my knowledge they have not talked with anyone at OH3 or asked how we do what we do. They have simply decided that their way of doing things is the best and only way and no other way can be possible. They don’t mean to speak untruth, I’m sure, or to accuse us falsely. They simply don’t know any better. Please excuse their ignorance.
Now to explain. First, we don’t claim that 100% of our funding goes to food. I challenge anyone to find that claim on this website anywhere. What we actually claim is that 100% of any food donations go to food and transport (transporting the money and food). How do we do that, you ask?
Our messengers on the ground in Africa are all preachers of upstanding reputation who are already involved in assisting their brethren for love, not for hire. NO ONE receives any wages for their efforts. EVERYONE is happy to volunteer their efforts on behalf of brothers and sisters in dire need. Therefore none of your food donations go to “wages” for anyone in the organization.
From time to time, there ARE unscheduled fees to be paid. There are IRS fees, filing fees to be a 501(c)3 tax deductible organization, accounting fees (when Brooke Thomas has to use the services of her employing accounting company in matters she cannot handle on her own) printing fees, bank fees, advertising, and phone reimbursement for Mike Divis to stay in touch with our men in Africa. To provide for these organizational necessities OH3 has a completely separate bank account in Indiana. From time to time thoughtful souls will send us funds and specifically direct those funds to go into the operations account. We are grateful for these business savvy individuals who keep our head above water. We also have much help in keeping these expenses low. Spiritbuilding.com provides the web space for free. Brooke Thomas consistently refuses to charge us, or undercharges us for her important services. D&E Printing in Brownsburg, IN (DandEprinting.com) is our loved and OFFICIAL printer who has been able to provide for our printing needs free of charge, even in this downturned economy. The owner Eric Mizell is an outstanding Christian and we appreciate his services and those of our sister, Brooke Thomas. My point however is that these “extra” costs are paid for out of a completely separate bank account in Indiana, not the food account in Florida. I repeat myself when I say that none of your food donations go to any “organizational” costs of this project.
And so, with a lot of help and the specific donations of some, we are able to make this promise that 100% of any donations for food will go to food and transport. We are truly the definition of a non-profit organization. Nobody gets paid from money you intend to feed Christians with. No fees are paid, no reimbursements are made. That is all taken care of by the operations account.
We hope this explains the matter and that somehow, sometime, word might filter back to our detractors that if you do not know what you’re talking about, it would probably be better to just say “I don’t know.”
I believe it was John Wayne who once said, “It’s not bragging, if it’s true.” I’m not sure about that, but I am sure about this claim that we make. Before I explain, let me apologize on behalf of ignorant brethren, who I understand have made public statements around the country in reporting on the work in Africa, that accuse us of falsehood and have simply stated that such is not possible. I want to apologize for their ignorance because to my knowledge they have not talked with anyone at OH3 or asked how we do what we do. They have simply decided that their way of doing things is the best and only way and no other way can be possible. They don’t mean to speak untruth, I’m sure, or to accuse us falsely. They simply don’t know any better. Please excuse their ignorance.
Now to explain. First, we don’t claim that 100% of our funding goes to food. I challenge anyone to find that claim on this website anywhere. What we actually claim is that 100% of any food donations go to food and transport (transporting the money and food). How do we do that, you ask?
Our messengers on the ground in Africa are all preachers of upstanding reputation who are already involved in assisting their brethren for love, not for hire. NO ONE receives any wages for their efforts. EVERYONE is happy to volunteer their efforts on behalf of brothers and sisters in dire need. Therefore none of your food donations go to “wages” for anyone in the organization.
From time to time, there ARE unscheduled fees to be paid. There are IRS fees, filing fees to be a 501(c)3 tax deductible organization, accounting fees (when Brooke Thomas has to use the services of her employing accounting company in matters she cannot handle on her own) printing fees, bank fees, advertising, and phone reimbursement for Mike Divis to stay in touch with our men in Africa. To provide for these organizational necessities OH3 has a completely separate bank account in Indiana. From time to time thoughtful souls will send us funds and specifically direct those funds to go into the operations account. We are grateful for these business savvy individuals who keep our head above water. We also have much help in keeping these expenses low. Spiritbuilding.com provides the web space for free. Brooke Thomas consistently refuses to charge us, or undercharges us for her important services. D&E Printing in Brownsburg, IN (DandEprinting.com) is our loved and OFFICIAL printer who has been able to provide for our printing needs free of charge, even in this downturned economy. The owner Eric Mizell is an outstanding Christian and we appreciate his services and those of our sister, Brooke Thomas. My point however is that these “extra” costs are paid for out of a completely separate bank account in Indiana, not the food account in Florida. I repeat myself when I say that none of your food donations go to any “organizational” costs of this project.
And so, with a lot of help and the specific donations of some, we are able to make this promise that 100% of any donations for food will go to food and transport. We are truly the definition of a non-profit organization. Nobody gets paid from money you intend to feed Christians with. No fees are paid, no reimbursements are made. That is all taken care of by the operations account.
We hope this explains the matter and that somehow, sometime, word might filter back to our detractors that if you do not know what you’re talking about, it would probably be better to just say “I don’t know.”