Any Suggestions???

[HAMel]

Hey folks...., first, I'm not soliciting any money from any of you but want to ask a question.

I have a personal friend that's stuck in the Dominician Republic and can't get home. He's an American Citizen. He is not allowed to work/get a job because his Visa has expired and it costs $500 to get it renewed. A plane ticket back to Raleigh, NC is right at $480. His only family can't help because they live on a very limited fixed income.

So, my question is..., are any of you aware of any missionary/Christian/humanitarian groups that can help this man get home?

He's contacted the American Embassy there and told there is little or nothing they can or will do short of a war.

 

[exscentric]

Are you sure this is not a scam? Sounds like it is right out of the scam play book.

 

[HAMel]

Are you sure this is not a scam? Sounds like it is right out of the scam play book.

Wrong play book.

I've known this man for several years. He's a "personal friend". He moved his family to the DR because the cost of living there is much, much cheaper than in the States. Many years ago he was a Maryland Highway Patrolman but gave it up due to the mayhem he was subjected to on a daily basis.

He became a search engine optimization specialist and all was going very well until his wife decided that her wine consumption was more important than staying with her husband. She left and came back to the US.

She used to work for a large computer company and had many friends that assisted her in getting even with her husband. He tried to overcome but wasn't able to.

Otherwise, no scam. All I'm asking for if any out there know of where this man can find some help. I'm able to help him a bit but not totally.

 

[Salty]

Would a ticket to Fla be any cheaper?
could he attempt to pay his way by working on a ship to return stateside?

I'm surprised the Americian Embassary will not help

Can you contact your US congressman?

Just some thoughts off the top of my head

I googled Baptist churches in the DR and found this one

 

[kyredneck]

Would a ticket to Fla be any cheaper?
could he attempt to pay his way by working on a ship to return stateside?

Yea, he could hang out at the dock with a sign that reads 'Will work for a ride home'.

I'm surprised the Americian Embassary will not help

I wonder if he may have burned some bridges that he's not telling about.

contact your US congressman?

Just some thoughts off the top of my head

I googled Baptist churches in the DR and found this one

Good ideas!

 

[Aaron]

Hey folks...., first, I'm not soliciting any money from any of you but want to ask a question.

I have a personal friend that's stuck in the Dominician Republic and can't get home. He's an American Citizen. He is not allowed to work/get a job because his Visa has expired and it costs $500 to get it renewed. A plane ticket back to Raleigh, NC is right at $480. His only family can't help because they live on a very limited fixed income.

So, my question is..., are any of you aware of any missionary/Christian/humanitarian groups that can help this man get home?

He's contacted the American Embassy there and told there is little or nothing they can or will do short of a war.

You can't come up with $500 for a plane ticket?

 

[quantumfaith]

You can't come up with $500 for a plane ticket?

Once again you demonstrate your matchless taste with such a question.

 

[kyredneck]

I thought it was a pertinent question.

Maybe he's not such a close friend after all.

 

[righteousdude2]

Well,

I thought it was a pertinent question.

Maybe he's not such a close friend after all.

What I know of HAMel says that $500.00 may as well be $5,000.00. We are all living [well maye not Aaron?] on social security, and money is getting tighter with each passing day!

I have several friends that I'd love to help, but if I helped them, someone else would have to help me, o that friend would have to turn around and help me! So no one wins...

I am disappointed that with all the fire power on this board, that someone can't find it within them to offer something that would assist HAMel and his friend! Sarcastic comments aside, I only saw a few actual attempts to show our brother a possible idea! How discouraging in this day and age. OR, maybe the rest of you are as tight as HAMel and I, and hardly making it, but afraind and too proud to say it!

At least we can pray for this guy to have God
s mercy be upon him, and with that mercy, HIs unconditional favor. That will go a long way, and surely is a better response than some Ive seen so far!

 

[HAMel]

Thank you quantumfaith, rd2, Salty, for your civil approach to this situation.

I did receive a PM from one individual that offered to help and I am grateful for that kind heart. The Lord Will Bless You..., Amen!

The Lord has provided the total amount needed for Visa exit charges and for a flight ticket home. Jerald will be home no later than Tuesday.

 

[plain_n_simple]

Well I'm glad he got a ticket. I'm also glad Jesus wasn't suspicious about the people He helped. Seems like we should remember that we should treat every stranger as Jesus, not do background checks.

 

[quantumfaith]

Well I'm glad he got a ticket. I'm also glad Jesus wasn't suspicious about the people He helped. Seems like we should remember that we should treat every stranger as Jesus, not do background checks.

I agree wholeheartedly. While we should in fact use wisdom when providing assistance, particularly in this digital age, as there are in fact hordes of scammers, Hamel assured us from the very beginning that this was a real need and a real (and known) person. Glad to know that this person will experience the love and concern of a friend and believer.

During my college years as I served as a Student Minister, one of my obligations was handling requests and walk-ins for our Benevolent Ministry. There were multitudes of such requests each week and only a limited budget offered by the church, often it was increased at my request. I know, many who sought help, were doing so as a "way of life". I struggled often with the "stories" but struggled more with the conditions of the children. I did not always "get it right", but I hope the charity of the church did in fact have some positive impact upon some lives, I will never know.

 

[exscentric]

The reason I questioned it being a scam is that unless he spoke directly to and knew the friends voice it could well be one of the scams going around. Someone calling/emailing they are stuck in a foreign country and need money to get out of jail, get a visa, get some whatever. They call themselves friends, grand kids, etc. - people are being taken daily.

I know, how un-Christ like to have given caution to another believer.

Sorry for using the brain that He has given me to take care of what he has given us.

 

[plain_n_simple]

The reason I questioned it being a scam is that unless he spoke directly to and knew the friends voice it could well be one of the scams going around. Someone calling/emailing they are stuck in a foreign country and need money to get out of jail, get a visa, get some whatever. They call themselves friends, grand kids, etc. - people are being taken daily.

I know, how un-Christ like to have given caution to another believer.

Sorry for using the brain that He has given me to take care of what he has given us.

You do things however you need to sir according to your faith, not your brain. I'm sorry if I offended.

 

[HAMel]

A couple of years ago someone hacked into an account of mine telling all my "friends" they were stuck someplace in the world and in need of money to get home. I received a call alerting me to this attempt and then beefed up the security.

Yes, there are thieves out there.

...perhaps my emotional reaction here red lined a bit but all is taken care of.

 

[plain_n_simple]

Jesus said beware of wolves, not thieves lol.

 

[HAMel]

Jesus said beware of wolves, not thieves lol.

...never thought of it that way, p_n_s, but you're right. :thumbsup::laugh:

 

[plain_n_simple]

Just a friendly poke

 

[righteousdude2]

Caution is a good thing!

The reason I questioned it being a scam is that unless he spoke directly to and knew the friends voice it could well be one of the scams going around. Someone calling/emailing they are stuck in a foreign country and need money to get out of jail, get a visa, get some whatever. They call themselves friends, grand kids, etc. - people are being taken daily.

I know, how un-Christ like to have given caution to another believer.

Sorry for using the brain that He has given me to take care of what he has given us.

I have no problem with exercising caution. After all we've been called to be good stewards with that He gave us!

But when a brother, like HAMel, wh we all know quite well, vouches for someone and calls the guy a good friend, I think caution should be secondary to finding a way to help the man get home!

Right now, I am conflicted over a Zambian brother I know through a christian group. He claims he needs $400.000 a month to support his family, keep his house and remain in the mission church as pastor!

I want to stand up and help this guy, in fact I have quite a few folks willing to give to him, but, and I mean that with a huge BUT ... I do not know him in person, and it is difficult for me to vouch for someone I've never met, and someone that I can't verify the needs of!

HAMel did a great thing, and when he wrote me about this, I suggested he post it to the board for help. I really thought there'd be some viable help. I guess I was wrong!

 

[Rippon]

A couple of years ago someone hacked into an account of mine telling all my "friends" they were stuck someplace in the world and in need of money to get home.

A hacker got into my email account --claimed he was me --that I was supposedly stuck in Ukraine and needed $2,500 to come back home. I received a flood of emails from friends in America,Korea and China alerting me. I had to change passwords etc.

I had never heard of the term phishing before.