Nov 9, 2018 3 min read

Emma Bates is 10 years old, yet already has a worldly view and a commitment to helping others.

The Carmichaels native self-published a book of devotions and is giving all the proceeds to Houses for Haiti, a nonprofit dedicated to building homes for families in the impoverished country. Emma said the money will help build a community garden, well and community center as well as provide plumbing for the homes.

“My church has always been a big part of Houses for Haiti, and whenever they got back from their missions, I loved hearing about their work,” Emma said. “I felt like (people in Haiti) had a really hard situation and would need the most help.”

Her book, “God with a Capital G,” is a set of 20 devotionals, written by Emma. Each entry is accompanied by a reflective Bible verse.

“Besides raising the money for Haiti, I want to accomplish a clear and concise way to have a connection with God,” Emma said. “I started collecting quotes and Bible verses I liked just because I liked them and wanted to remember them for myself. And I thought if had a book already, why not publish it?”

Emma has done book signings at churches in and around Greene County, including her church, Jefferson Baptist. She started selling the books in August with 100 copies, printed by Rhodes & Hammers Printing in Waynesburg. She has since ordered more copies after running out of all but 10.

“I wrote each (devotion), not intending to ever publish them, that’s just what I was going through at that part of my life, and I think that could be helpful for others going through similar things,” Emma said. “Moving forward, I would always want to have a few copies on hand.”

The book is available for a $10 donation. However, she said, “people can give more specifically for Haiti, if they would like.”

In addition to raising money for Houses for Haiti, Emma volunteers at Flenniken Public Library in Carmichaels and participates in Meals on Wheels through her church.

“I like to do things like working at food pantries,” Bates said. “I want to start small before I start running to Haiti, but I would like to go soon.”

Emma said she plans to pursue either history or anthropology when she gets older because she loves working with and learning about people.

If interested in purchasing a copy of “God with a Capital G”, email Emma’s mom, Kelly, at kmbates68@yahoo.com.