October 2010

Dear Friends,

These past couple of months have been filled with both good news and some major challenges for our people at the Helping for Christ Victory Center in Port Au Prince, Haiti.  We now have 77 kids living at the Center and we continue to hold weekly church services and medical clinics for people in the neighborhood, using this as an opportunity to spread the gospel.

Our people have thus far been spared from any concerns with the recent Cholera outbreak thanks to your very generous donations that were used to purchase a water filtration system.  This water filter is not only being used to keep our children and staff safe but we have also been able to supply clean water for the entire neighborhood.  Our Center has become a refuge in a sea of misery.  The water filter is just one example of how a modest gift goes so far and does so much to help the people of Haiti.  It is amazing too how God provides, bringing us the resources for the water filtration system just weeks before the Cholera outbreak began.

We have also been blessed with the needed funds to complete necessary repairs to the Center in preparation for the new school year and also repair the only vehicle for the Center.   The repair of the vehicle is a huge benefit as we are able to travel throughout the city and get needed supplies without having to pay for a Tap Tap (Haitian Taxi).

In addition, we have able to get uniforms for all of our children.  The uniforms were hand made for the children at the Helping for Christ Center from fabric that was donated to us.  In most cases, this is the first time these children have ever owned anything that is entirely their own.

The health of the children continues to improve. We have been able to feed them with the support of World Vision and Food for the Poor.  We have also been able to get them the needed medical attention they lacked in the past.   Thank you so very much for your continued to support that has allowed us to make this happen for these children.

The security situation in Port Au Prince continues to deteriorate due to gang violence related to the upcoming election and in part due to desperation of the people.  This has led to a large increase in kidnappings of Westerners and has made traveling to and from Haiti significantly more dangerous.  We have postponed our next mission trip until after the election that is scheduled for late November.

The most significant challenge we are a facing at this time is the health of Pastor Dicksent.  As of this date, Pastor Dicksent is facing a life-threatening condition which requires surgery as soon as possible.  He has gone through evaluations over the past few weeks and it has been determined that he needs to have his pulmonary valve replaced in his heart.  He must travel to the Dominican Republic from Haiti to have the surgery performed.  Unlike our medical systems in the US, payment must be made upfront for anticipated medical costs associated with all procedures done in the Dominican Republic.  Although the surgery can be done employing less invasive procedures, it is still a very costly and delicate operation.  After negotiating with his health care providers for a reduction in price since he is in full-time ministry, the surgery will cost $11,000 plus an additional $1,500 for travel and medications. The surgery needs to be done as soon as possible.

Pastor Dicksent, through your support, has brought his people a long way through many tragedies.  He is the father for the fatherless children at the center and through his leadership we have been able to save the lives of hundreds of people and lead many more to know Christ.   When one little girl at the Center was told about Pastor Dicksent’s medical condition, she immediately asked if they could take her heart and give it to Pastor Dicksent so he would be well again.

Please consider making a donation to ensure that we can obtain the surgery for Pastor Dicksent and still provide for the 77 children at the Helping For Christ Victory Center. We are also trying to get 77 monthly sponsors of $45 each, enough for each child at the center. We currently have 10 monthly sponsors and we could use many more.  If you or anyone you know might be willing to become a monthly sponsor, please contact Julie at jyoung@heartofgodinternational.org.

We cannot thank all of you enough for your continued support!  Without you, none of this would be possible.  Your support is literally saving lives and giving hope to so many in Haiti.