Dear Friends, Family & Partners of HELPS,
It has been a great honor and privilege for HELPS to serve
people from all over Canada and from Florida gave
to the people of Haiti. HELPS also wants to thank the many other individuals, churches and companies that gave their resource
their prayers to the precious people in Haiti and the ministry there.
would like to thank everyone that helped us by donating their wedding
dresses, suits and shoes to the people in the
one day kids camp, a youth forum and a men’s seminar plus Pastor Eric
from Florida did a mini outreach services on Friday
the 19th in the evenings. We provided a comput
over a 5-day period and we also played soccer ever
kids and youth. We had a young lady, Bianca
began teaching the sport of lacrosse to the youth
2013 Year End Report
It has been a great honor and privilege for HELPS to serve in Haiti over this past year 2013. It was
over Canada and from Florida gave of their time and resources to serve and give of themselves sacrificial
to the people of Haiti. HELPS also wants to thank the many other individuals, churches and companies that gave their resource
rayers to the precious people in Haiti and the ministry there.
The HELPS Mission Teams led by Chuck Kerr
went to Haiti two times in 2013 – once in February 15
also in October 15 - 24 ( 16 people). We worked mainly with the
the Ley Cayes Region in the south of Haiti with our base
Camp Perrin. On both trips we did four medical clinics
to go into seven different communities in the region. We als
women’s seminars, one in February and two in October.
held a 4-day VBS style camp for the kids and
many activities, computer courses and soccer clubs
October trip we were asked by the churches to help host 9 wedding
were held at the church in Camp Perrin
would like to thank everyone that helped us by donating their wedding
9 weddings. We also held a
one day kids camp, a youth forum and a men’s seminar plus Pastor Eric
Friday the 18th and Saturday,
computer club for the older youth
soccer every afternoon with the
ianca, with us from Florida who
lacrosse to the youth. It was quite a hit!
Following are
two medical
clinic reports,
one from the
February 2013 medical clinic - team leader Marla G
the October 2013 medical clinic - team leader Sarah Rivera
February 2013 – Clinic Summary - Lay Cayes Region
Just like every other activity during this trip, the medical clinics depended on
the power of prayer, God’s wisdom and the daily renewing of His abundant
grace and love. During the 4 clinics held in the Camp Perrin area, the team
. It was an awesome year where in total 34
time and resources to serve and give of themselves sacrificially in Haiti and
to the people of Haiti. HELPS also wants to thank the many other individuals, churches and companies that gave their resources and
eams led by Chuck Kerr, Steve Omand & Terry Link
nce in February 15 - 23 (18 people) and
le). We worked mainly with the churches in
south of Haiti with our base in the village of
d four medical clinics. In total we were able
to go into seven different communities in the region. We also held 3
one in February and two in October. In February we
VBS style camp for the kids and youth with Bible teaching,
and soccer clubs during that time. On the
the churches to help host 9 weddings which
it was quite the experience. HELPS
team leader Marla Goebert and the other for
team leader Sarah Rivera.
Lay Cayes Region
Just like every other activity during this trip, the medical clinics depended on
he power of prayer, God’s wisdom and the daily renewing of His abundant
grace and love. During the 4 clinics held in the Camp Perrin area, the team
had the opportunity to assess and minister to 1112 patients of all ages. The people were anxious to attend a clinic and be seen, many
of them walking several kilometers and some needing to be carried by family and neighbours. On Wednesday, the first patients arrived
at 5 a.m. to be registered...for the 9 a.m. clinic! Although overall the Haitians in this area appear healthier than those seen in other
regions, poverty and the lack of accessible healthcare has put its mark on the people. Throughout the clinics we were reminded of the
countless blessings and opportunities available to us, things we take for granted. On Friday we had the opportunity to hold a Women’s
Seminar with approximately 60 women. A great turn out considering it was market day! During this time we covered topics such as
hygiene, basic first aid, pregnancy and birth. We then finished the time with a short devotion and prayer. As we encouraged the women
to take what they heard and teach others, they requested paper and pens so they could take notes! It was an honor to spend this time
with them, to encourage them and uplift them in prayer. It is our hope and prayer, that just as the Haitians impacted our lives, we were
able to bless them and make a small difference in their lives.
October 2013 – Clinic Summary – Lay Cayes Region
Once again, participating in the HELPS healthcare outreach in
Haiti was a privilege. The healthcare part of the team consisted
of 4 registered nurses, 3 registered respiratory therapists, 4-6
local translators, and several helpful volunteers. We held 4
clinics and saw approximately 120-180 patients per clinic. We
were able to provide for physical as well as emotional and
spiritual needs. I was struck by the everyday luxuries we take
for granted or even consider a basic need, such as delivering a
baby in a clean hospital bed attended by trained healthcare
professionals. Towards the end of the first clinic, a young mom brought her baby boy, Ken Love, in to be seen. She was concerned
because he hadn’t eaten since birth. As she unbundled her feverish lethargic 4-day-old infant, the problem became clear. His
umbilical cord was festering with infection. Flies crawled around the wet black cord, and the foul smell was overpowering. We cleaned
it as best we could and told her she needed to take him to a hospital urgently. She said she didn’t have money to pay for the doctor,
the medicine or the taxi to the nearest hospital which was too far to walk to. Chuck and Pastor Penel decided that we would take her to
the hospital in Les Cayes with us, and pay for her to be seen by the physician and for the testing and medical treatment he would need.
A few hours later, they were back on their way to their village with 10 days’ worth of antibiotics and hope. It seems like something so
small, to be able to take our children to the doctor for antibiotics when they have an infection, yet in some countries, babies die due to
the lack of access to healthcare. Interacting with the Haitian women was a reminder that we share many commonalities, regardless of
the difference in our backgrounds. We all want good things for our children and we all thirst for knowledge and education. We all want
to be valued and appreciated, and we work hard for our homes and families. What a powerful experience, to witness God’s love and
work in the communities surrounding Camp Perrin. Many thanks to our generous supporters as these trips where made possible by
the donations and prayers of our brothers and sisters in Christ.
HELPS has taken a group of 8 people on a one week mission trip to Haiti from February 18th – March 1st. Chuck, Steve & Terry led the
team which included four nurses. We held 4 medical clinics in four new communities, two women’s seminars and a youth forum. We
will also continued working on finishing the electrical work that we started at the church in Camp Perrin. We spent an afternoon and
evening with the kids at the orphanage in St. Ard on Feb 20th.
Two Key Projects that HELPS will continue working on and would like to have completed in 2014.
Our first project is a relief project which is to continue to help raise the money needed to help the Church in Laroche CofG. This
church is located in the south of Haiti which is the Ley Cayes Region and they need to replace the roof of their church structure which
was taken off by Hurricane Sandy. They have been without a roof now for almost two years (we held a clinic in February 2013 at this
church outside under tarps and sheets). HELPS has raised $4,000 to help with the roof and we need to raise $6,500 more. In total the
roof will cost $10,500 US. Our desire is to have the money raised and have the roof done by April / May 2014. So brothers, sisters,
friends, churches and companies, please prayerfully consider giving to this project so we can have the new roof put back on the church
structure before the 2014 rainy season which starts in June. The Laroche
congregation looks forward to being able to meet in the church once again.
Our second project for 2014 is to start working on a water system for the
Camp Perrin Church and the future site of the Young Adults Bible &
Vocational Training Centre that HELPS is working on developing with the
Churches in the Ley Cayes Region. The water system is a must before we
start building the guest house and the YABVT Centre. The water system will
cost $10,000 - $15,000 US. HELPS has raised $2000 as of the end of 2013.
HELPS has been working with Project 90 – a group of engineering students
from the University of Calgary and Doug Gutzman, an engineer from the
CofG in Calgary plus others who have given their input into the water system
and the bigger project YABVTC. We are designing and developing a water system that works in the mountain region were Camp Perrin
is situated. On our February 2014 trip we will review the project site and do costing on the designs of the water system that have been
given to us by Project 90. Keep us in your prayers.
If you would like to give to either of the 2014 projects mentioned above you can send your donations to HELPS International – 49
Masterson Dr. St. Catharines, ON. L2T 3P2
Brothers & sisters, please continue to pray for the ministry work in Haiti, for the churches there and the ministries working there.
Friends we are a blessed people. God has blessed us with so much and in doing so He has given us the ability to bless others. I am so
thankful for this gift that He has given us and so thankful for all of you, your families, the churches and the companies that have
generously given of your time, resources and prayers for the people in Haiti in 2013. Lets continue to partner together to serve Him and
all His people.
Your friend & brother in Christ,
Chuck KerrDirector
P.S. The GALA of HOPE 2014 - An awesome opportunity is coming up on May 31, 2014 for all of our friends & families. HELPS
International & Children of Hope will be hosting another Gala of Hope Fundraiser this spring. Please contact Chuck Kerr (416-712-9760
or [email protected] ) or Steve Omand (416-418-8144 or [email protected] ) for more information or tickets.
49 Masterson Drive | St. Catharines, ON L2T 3P2Office: 416-712-9760 | [email protected]
www.helpsinternational.ca
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