October 22, 2007

 

Dear Friends,

 

I anticipated writing this update a month or so from now.  However, my conversation with Pastor Andrew last week prompts me to move now.  

 

Emmanuel Quee, the young boy who had two club feet, has undergone successful surgery on his left leg.  The specialized orthopedic care was provided by Mercy Ships – a hospital ministry currently docked at Monrovia, Liberia.  As you can see by the photos Pastor Andrew sent me on Friday, Emmanuel’s leg and foot looks so much better. (When I opened the email and saw the photos, I got all misty eyed.  What a blessing!)  By the time you read this, the cast should be removed.  

 

In a couple of months he will undergo surgery to correct his right leg and foot.  (In cases like this, they only do one leg at a time so the child is not totally incapacitated and can still get around on crutches.)  Mercy Ships will again perform the surgery, but by the time Emmanuel is ready for the surgery the hospital ship will have moved on to their next port of service – Freetown, the capitol city of Sierria Leone, the country on Liberia’s northern border.  Emmanuel will have to travel to Freetown to receive his second surgery and therapy. 

 

We’ve known this for some time and planned to begin a fund raising campaign soon to help pay the travel costs and living expenses for him and an adult caregiver who will escort him there and back.  I was expecting to send him off in four to six weeks.  When I talked to Pastor Andrew last week I asked him to give me an estimate of what it would cost for Emmanuel’s trip.  I also asked him when he thought they would send Emmanuel to Freetown.  His response surprised me.  He said, “If I had the funds today I would send him now.” 

 

I thought I misunderstood and asked him to repeat it.  I had heard right.  He went on to explain that the Mercy Ships staff had advised him it would be best to send Emmanuel two months ahead of time.  Apparently Mercy Ships already has staff in Sierria Leone doing preliminary work – screening potential patients.  Even though the Mercy Ship has not arrived in Freetown yet, they are lining up patients and it is important for Emmanuel to “get in line” to assure he will receive the care he needs.     

 

That means we have to raise the funds immediately.  We don’t want to miss this wonderful opportunity.  We need to raise $2,000 for this trip.  The round trip airfare for the two of them (Emmanuel and his caregiver) will be around $880.  Pastor Andrew also estimated another $545 for various expenses (See his email below.)  That only comes to $1,452.  However, I know how Pastor Andrew estimates.  In all our dealings with him, he has been very careful to never overstate a need and, consequently, he often understates the need.  I am sure that it will take more than his barebones, conservative estimate. 

This is a two month (or longer) trip and I want Emmanuel and his caregiver to have all that is needed…and then some, for those unexpected things that you can never plan for.  I don’t want them to struggle or have to worry about having enough or getting back.  Personally, I even think $2,000 will be cutting it close. 

 

The good news is, we’ve already raised nearly $700 for this trip, so we’re a third of the way there.  But that still leaves two thirds of the goal that must be raised in a very short time.  I’m hoping you will pray with us.  First, for our fundraising efforts be successful and conclude quickly.  And, second, what part you may be able to play in that success. 

This is such an amazing blessing…for Emmanuel to receive this orthopedic surgery and therapy, that would normally cost untold thousands of dollars, FREE!  (May God bless Mercy Ships.)  We can’t miss this opportunity to see the process completed and this boy’s legs and life repaired. 

 

A woman who knows of Emmanuel’s situation has been giving toward this trip when she can - $20 at a time.  When she makes her donation, she calls it “foot money.”  Last week, as she handed her $20 bill to Sara, she said, “Here’s Emmanuel’s ‘foot money.’  I can’t wait until the day I can give Emmanuel’s ‘Nike money.’”  (Meaning money to buy Emmanuel shoes when he can walk and run like the other children.) 

 

That day is coming soon…if we can quickly make it over this last hurdle.  Please help if you can.  I will keep you informed of our fund raising efforts and Emmanuel’s progress. 

If you can help in a financial way, make your check out to Victorious Faith Ministries (with “Foot Money” on the memo line) and send it immediately.  It would also be helpful if you could email us of your intent to help so we can plan and be ready to move as quickly as possible.  Send gifts to VFM, 219 State Street, Algoma, WI  54201. (Of course, you gifts are tax-deductable and we’ll send you a receipt at the end of the year.)

Below is Pastor Andrew’s email detailing expenses.  (Airfare is not mentioned in this message because we had already discussed it.)

 

Pastor Andrew tells me all the other children in the refuge home are doing well. 

 

Blessings,

 

Pastor Bill & Sara Pevlor