Category: News (Page 69 of 100)

Friends of Haiti,

A Terry update: Her last “regular” chemo was on the 23rd of the month and she has a little break in treatments until the 10th of November. On the 10th they will do tests on her major organs to see if everything about those are good; if they are, a port will be put in her chest to harvest needed stem cells. Once that is done they will give her two massive doses of chemo to kill her bone marrow, and at a later date put the stem cells back in. It is during the time of the harvest and transplanting them back that she will be in the most danger. We will have to stay within 30 minutes of the hospital in the event she gets sick or starts running a fever — anything could be fatal. We have been told the majority under going this end up in the hospital for about a month, so please keep this in your prayers.

We have included a picture of Beaubrun’s new school building, with him standing in front of it. If you look closely it has 6 different rooms; although not much more than a pole barn with sides, it represents a big step for him, the school and the children who attend there. As you can see, there is a source of water right in front of it. We are buying a portable water purifier to use so the kids will have plenty of good water to drink, and those living around it can use it for their needs as well. For those who support his school and have given specifically for him, this is where and what it has been used for. He and the kids who this will benefit are all thankful for your help.

Terry and I are thankful for so many things this Thanksgiving: your help in Haiti, but also for the cards for her and your prayers for her health. We have never faced anything quite like this and opening a card saying someone is praying for you, or having someone tell you that, really does make you feel better about how things will turn out. We are thankful the first part of this is over and know the next two to three months are going to be rough, so we value your prayers more than ever.

Thank you for all you do, for us and for our friends in Haiti.

Serving HIM together,

Steve and Terry

Friends of Haiti,

An update on Terry: October will be the final month of chemotherapy and both of us will be glad to see it finished. Many of the things they said could happen – sores, not being able to sleep and nausea – thankfully have not happened. Fatigue, swelling, leg and back pain are the things bothering her the most. On the 28th we see a specialist at St. Louis University again to see if the treatments have done their job and if the stem cell transplant will help. If so, that procedure will be over a two day period and is expected to be very hard on her body. If not, we aren’t sure what the next steps will be, if any.

During September, we had meetings with Jacky Gilles who will be working with us in Haiti. As you may remember, Jacky is Haiti’s National Director for Child Evangelism Fellowship and they are anxious to get the classes at each school started. In a sense, Jacky will take the role Joe played for us, and we can begin taking people with us once more. Since Joe’s death last January it has been almost impossible for others to go and feel comfortable about being there, especially if something were to happen to Steve while they are there.

To give you an example of the value of your sponsorship of a child or school, or buying supplies, or giving so we can provide for the schools: Just to start school – buying uniforms, shoes, school supplies, paying entrance fees and the first month’s school fee – is right at $300, and that’s U.S. money. We don’t know anyone where we work in Haiti who makes that much in an entire year, much less being able to come up with that much cash at one time. Your help or sponsorship makes this possible, and the schools would not be there without it.

We certainly appreciate that help, and we appreciate the prayers offered for Terry. The notes and cards you have sent for her have made a very big difference in her going through this. Knowing so many of you are praying for her gives her the strength to face each day.

Thank you for all you do – for us and for our friends in Haiti.

Serving HIM together,

Steve and Terry