A precious little girl named Verline Mbodekette died from AIDS on 8/20/2009 in Central African Republic. She was 9 years old and was born with HIV. During the last month of her life, the VisionTrust staff admitted her to the local hospital for care. Within hours, workers at the hospital determined that she had died in their care. Verline’s caregivers took her home and when they arrived at the house many people were crying and making noise. Apparently she was not dead because she "woke up." She was rushed back to the hospital and put on an IV. Sadly, she died the next day.
Perhaps for you, your world is defined by a fast-paced schedule and your personal relationships with family, friends and co-workers. However, Verline’s world was defined by 729 other AIDS orphans under the care of VisionTrust, a broken health care system, a non-functional school system, and the death of parents and close relatives.
In Central African Republic (CAR), life is…
… not about getting a job that is exciting, but simply finding paid work for one day.
… not about fixing up the basement for entertainment, but simply finding suitable shelter for a family of 11 made from clay, sticks, rocks and tin.
… not about buying another car for sweet-sixteen, but simply walking 2 miles to the nearest public grade school.
… not about buying organic meat because it is healthier, but simply finding enough food to survive for today.
… not about finding super deals during back to school sales, but simply trying not to damage the one nice shirt when washed in a creek and hung to dry in the bushes.
Together with our partner in CAR called Integrated Community Development International, we strive to create a better world for the orphans in our care. A world defined by love, trust and consistency through providing basic needs like shelter, food, medicine, education and spiritual mentoring.
As I write this, I am preparing for a trip to CAR with our Director of Health Services, Ed Luminati. Please pray for us. We will be meeting public school officials, the Minister of Health, and local medical professionals in the community. In addition, Ed and I will be conducting an extensive review of the fundamental issues blocking the advancement of basic health care like religion, social structures, politics, awareness and lack of training. Our primary goal will be to improve the foundation of basic health care knowledge among the people in the communities where we work and co-develop a plan to take proactive steps to properly care for all of the AIDS orphans in our program.
This deep level of work requires an incredible amount of time, talent and treasure: It also requires you.
If you want to help children like Verline, I need your participation this fall. Our biggest need right now is to have enough money to continue building that “better world” for the thousands of VisionTrust children throughout the world. In response, we’ve established the Better World Fund. Would you consider donating a special amount each month to this fund? You can also help by volunteering in your church or community to raise awareness about children in need, or you can commit to praying for VisionTrust and the children we serve. Please take action this month by completing the enclosed response card. You can learn more about how to get involved or donate online at www.visiontrust.org. Thank you for your participation!
Defending the fatherless with you,
Matt Storer
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