Yesterday we transferred funds to Pastor Andrew.  It included $240 in regular monthly support for the refuge home and $1,600 for surveying the 20 acres of land given to them (provided by a generous, one-time donation).  They need to have the land surveyed and recorded in order to take possession of it – to start working and building on it. 

In the meantime, other needs are coming to our attention.  As you will see from Pastor Andrew’s email message below, the refuge home, itself, is in need of repair.  The photos included, show several structural improvements since our last visit.  It took me awhile to orient my brain to the many changes, to recognize the place as we last saw it.  There are additions to the site (a girls dorm, some kind of covered porch, a fence around the home, etc.) that we’ve been told about but hadn’t seen.  There are also areas of decay that need repair.   

Obviously, the deterioration has been an ongoing process but Pastor Andrew hadn’t been talking about it so I was somewhat shocked by the photos he sent.  Even if he had mentioned something like a crack in the floor, I’m sure I wouldn’t understand without a photo.   

This is all coming to the forefront because of a visit from the governing authorities.  (I’ll let Pastor Andrew’s email explain.)  His email included a budget for needed repairs and a letter he received from the Ministry of Health that can be viewed as .pdf files by clicking these links. 

Budget for Refuge Home             Ministry of Health Letter

Keep in mind, the entire Refuge Home compound – housing 30 children – comprises an area smaller than most of our single-dwelling homes and yards in a typical American city. 

I’ve told Pastor Andrew we would join him him in prayer for these needs.  This would be a good time to share the story of Esther’s Hope with others you know who might consider being a part of what God is doing. 

Also, remember to tell others about this website.

If you have any questions or helpful ideas, please contact us.   

Here’s Pastor Andrew’s message…. 

Dear Rev. Bill Pevlor, 

Praise the Lord for all that the Lord is using you and others to do which is hastily helping the accomplishment of the Mission of Christ’ LOVE to the Less fortunate, Orphans, and to the propagation of the gospel of Christ here in Liberia. 

I extend our thanks and appreciation in advance to you, the church, and to all those whose contribution will help survey our God given 20 acres of land, and the welfare of the Victorious Faith Refuge home. 

In our Cell phone conversation yesterday, I was informing you of the latest development at the VFRH which has and is always your concern. 

The Ministry of Health & Social welfare for a long time now has not been issuing Accreditation. But they have recently started an extensive survey and assessment in order to commence the issuance of Accreditation for 2009-2010 fiscal years. 

A social worker from the MOH/SW was with me in the office yesterday morning to assess our property and the condition of the children in terms of health and their education. 

She commended me and the workers in the home for doing a good job as it relates to the feeding, health, and education of the children in the home. She also assessed our building and recommended that few renovations be made on the areas I have attached the photo’ in this mail. (Fence, ceiling, roof, reconditioning the floor, and painting the building) 

By the grace of God due to her impression of the children's behavior, health, and food area, she promised to delay her report on the home for a week beginning from yesterday, and that by next week Friday, she will probably submit the report which will determine the Accreditation of the home. Her stress was more on the fence, cracks, and roof renovations. She informed me that some homes have already fallen short of accreditation especially because of the living and health condition of the children in such homes. 

One of the major questions on the form was; what was the future’ self-sustainable project plan we have for the children. When I informed her of our miracle 20 acres of land, and showed her the legal document, and explained our agricultural investment plan, she was excited and added that the MOH/SW is serious about organizations being able to initiate self-sustainable projects before their institutions will ever be accredited.  

Rev. Pevlor, when the lady mentioned that, I looked up to God and thanked Him for His far sited-ness in providing this land for us ahead of time for such a time as this. 

She promised that a representative from the Ministry of Health will be coming over any time from now after her report is sent in to view the proposed agricultural project land at Bensenville. Again as God could have it, the funds have been provided according to your phone conversation for us to carry out the land survey hastily before their inspection time, which again is a big blessing. 

I have attached a scanned copy of the letter I received from the Ministry of Health regarding the assessment. 

There is so much to do next week by the grace of God. If only I had some funds, I will start off the fence and building renovation this week and go over to doing the survey mid next week by the grace of God. 

The pictures of the damaged fence and building, budget of the renovation of the fence and building is also attached to this mail. 

Please Sir extend my regards to your charming wife and tell her the kids and I love her and appreciate her. 

Pastor Andrew