Four days after a deadly 7.0 magnitude earthquake ravaged Haiti, Amanda Kline was riveted by the images of hurt and helplessness she saw. Despite the fact that more than 1,200 miles separated her home in Waynesboro, Va. from the people of Port-au-Prince, Haiti, Amanda, age 9, decided to take action.

Members of the Spark Girls missions class kicked off a Hearts for Haiti fundraiser.

Her inspiration came from past experiences at Passportkids!, a CBF-sponsored summer camp that encourages kids to explore “missions in a world without borders.” Amanda also took part in the “Water U Doing?” Vacation Bible School last summer through Passport, Inc., and spent hours learning about how to help people – even those that live far away – through the Watering Malawi project. She was confident she could help Haiti as well.

Amanda called upon her church family for support. Along with her mom, Natalie, (who is the Associate Pastor, Minister to Families and Children at First Baptist Church of Waynesboro) her “Spark” Missions Leader, Laura Tadlock and the support of many others, Amanda and her “Spark Girls” Missions class (girls grades 1-5) kicked off a campaign called “Hearts for Haiti.”

The children of FBC Waynesboro quickly got to work, creating heart-shaped clay ornaments just in time for Valentine’s Day. “Each ornament is unique, just like the kids that made them,” said Rev. Kline. More than 70 ornaments have already been sold to members and friends of FBC Waynesboro, but the project won’t stop there.  Amanda plans to host a “Hearts for Haiti” table at the CBF state meeting in March, selling the ornaments for $5 each. All proceeds, of course, will be donated for Haiti relief efforts.

“This project is a perfect example of what CBF of Virginia is working towards for 2010 – more inclusive, innovative programs that involve all generations,” Kline said. “We can all be inspired by Amanda’s take-charge attitude. We can all do something to be the hands and feet of God, and to help the people of Haiti.”

For more information on how to help, please visit www.thefellowship.info.