Dear Friends,
Imagine being in a school with 200 children when a devastating earthquake hits. The building is leveled and 40 of your children and two staff are dead. Over 120 of the children immediately become orphans. Several children suddenly have a new identity: amputee. And, they’re all looking to you for leadership, guidance, provision, help and love.
Envision dig through the ruins pulling out survivors and dead bodies with only your hands and then leading over 300 people out of the chaos of Port-Au-Prince to make shift camps in the country side. The locals refer to you as Moses as you lead your people out of harm’s way and more importantly to know the Lord.
Then, imagine rains and winds washing away temporary tents you set up to provide shelter for those without parents or family. You are the one that people look to for help. They expect it since they have come to know that God works through you. But the burden you bear is overwhelming—it feels as if you take two steps forward and three back. An incredible load to carry for one simple man.
Imagine setting up living quarters for more than 77 orphans. You organize the day school. You negotiate with NGO’s for supplies to meet the increasing needs of the children. You go into the neighborhoods preaching the Gospel—you have such a burden for the lost. The area is dangerous yet the compound is God’s provision. He will protect. Then, when things seem to be calming down, high winds and rains once again lend to that feeling of utter helplessness.
Your chest hurts. You’re tired and lack the energy needed to go on. The staff doctor recommends you be seen by physicians in a neighboring country. After days of tests and evaluations they tell you that you need a valve in your heart replaced—you will not live without the surgery.After prayer, your friend and ministry partner stateside is the only one you can go to for help. But, you know their funds are nearly depleted because of everything they’ve already done. The cost of the surgery is a mountain that must be conquered quickly or you will not live. All you can do is pray. You’re weak and confused. You have no one else to turn to.
The Cholera outbreak strikes at the same as this medical condition and now your neighborhood is threaten with quarantine and the DR/Haitian border is closed. Your local medical doctor tells you will not live without the surgery and if you die 77 children will be left out the only father figure they have known since the earthquake and the fate of the entire orphanage would be at risk.
Can you imagine? The harsh reality of it all is that it’s a true account of what Pastor Dicksent, Team Leader for Heart of God Haiti, has faced this year alone.
While we’ve seen God move in amazing ways to meet needs and give comfort and reassurance to His people that He has neither left them nor forsaken them, Heart of God Haiti now faces another unexpected obstacle for which we were totally unprepared.
As of this afternoon, Pastor Dicksent is just over the border in the Dominican Republic waiting for an ambulance to transport him to the hospital in Santo Domingo. His surgery is scheduled for Saturday, October 30.
Unlike our medical systems in the US, payment must be made up front 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. He will incur an additional $1,500 in charges for travel and medications.
This means, we need to raise $12,500 as soon as possible to cover the cost of Pastor Dicksent’s surgery. At the same time, we must make sure the monthly support for the 77 orphans isn’t depleted and the children don’t endure more suffering.
We are very grateful to all who have already helped raise the necessary funds. However, we are still a long way from the goal.Please consider making a donation to ensure that Pastor Dicksent’s surgery is paid for and the children at the Helping For Christ Victory Center are still cared for each month.
Thank you for responding to this urgent need through prayer and your generous contributions.
Respectfully,
Jan Ross, President
Heart of God International Ministries
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