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

Friends of Haiti,

First, an update: The results of Terry’s bone marrow test at the end of July showed the cancer is a stage 2 rather than the primary stage – not what we expected. She completed the first cycle of treatments during August, had a week off, and then started the second cycle August 28th. She will have eight of these and then see if it is working prior to the stem cell transplant. Both of us appreciate your cards and prayers.

In Haiti, school begins September 8th; we expect all our schools will start on time. It’s important we not lose sight of how important these schools are to the children and their parents.

According to a report provided by USAID in Haiti, access to a quality education remains a key obstacle to Haiti’s social and economic development. Their surveys indicate approximately 35 percent of Haitian youth are unable to read or write, and that the average Haitian child spends less than four years in school. This report shows that a generation of Haitian youth is at risk for not having the necessary knowledge and basic skills to succeed in the labor force.

How important are our schools? According to the same report, more than 80 percent of primary schools are privately managed by nongovernmental organizations, churches and non-profit organizations, such as ours. 80 percent of the schools – a very large percentage to say the least.

For low income families (and we don’t even know anyone but what we would call low income families), even though public schools there are free, the annual school expenses account for about 40 percent of what little income they may have.

Our schools are very important to the villages and areas we work, not only from an educational stand point but as a way to earn a living for the teachers as well. We appreciate all of you who support a child through us and you who provide supplies and offerings for the schools throughout the year.

Thank you again for prayers for Terry’s treatments, and for the help and support you provide for our friends in Haiti.

Serving HIM together,

Steve and Terry