In today's update, you can learn about:

*Joining Team Isidor!

*Russ' Return To Haiti!

*What's "in store" at the LaRoche & Co Store!

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On March 16, I received a message from my young friend John Peter (JP).  I have known JP from my earliest trips to Haiti.  He was a teenager mostly living on his own in the village where our original campus is located.  Over the years, I and Real Love Ministries International (RLMI) assisted JP when we could.  Just like RLMI, JP had to flee when the gangs invaded Minoterie in October 2022.  Since then, he has moved around trying to find safety and stability.  His most recent stop was in the Artibonite Valley in north-central Haiti.

It was here that he met Isidor, a 2 year-old living with his Grandma.  His 19-year old Mom has little to do with him.  In his message on March 16, JP told me about Isidor's inability to stand, walk or talk.  He did not fully understand his medical condition but knew that something needed to be done.  He begged me to help .  At first, I was reluctant to get involved with a situation thousands of miles away in a region and with people I am unfamiliar with. JP's persistence because his heart was broken finally caused me to relent. (Side note: this is a classic example of ministry happening because of relationships just like our motto says: Mobilizing Missions Thru Relationships.)

LaRoche & Co Missions sent funds for 2 trips on back-to-back days to Hospital Albert Schweitzer (HAS) for doctor appointments and his first therapy appointment.  Funds covered the expenses for travel, food, diapers, and formula. HAS provides free medical care.  It was after his initial appointment that we learned that Isidor has been treated there previously.  Either at birth or shortly after he developed meningitis which led to seizures. All of this resulted in cerebral palsy which is the reason for his inability to stand, walk, or talk.  Because of the cost and distance of travel, his grandma was unable to continue the medical treatment he desperately needed.  It is a 3 hour ride one-way by motorcycle (cheapest form of transportation costing $110 round trip) to get to HAS. In case you're wondering, JP, Grandma, Isidor, and the driver all rode on 1 motorcycle on rocky roads to get to the hospital! A hard journey to say the least.

On April 12, a Sunday night, they "rushed" Isidor to the hospital because he was having seizures.  He was finally discharged on April 19.  During this time and at my request, JP found 2 rooms to rent in a nearby community.  1 for him and 1 for Isidor and Grandma.  The rental cost is $765 (USD) total for both rooms for 1 year (in Haiti, rent is paid annually).  This saves a lot of travel costs, time and hardship of getting him to the hospital.  Thanks to the generosity of several donors I contacted, all of the initial expenses have been covered.

As I am sure you know by now, we are recruiting more people and churches to be on Team Isidor.  The purpose of this fund is to support his medical and nutritional needs so that Isidor can function at the highest level possible with his Cerebral Palsy.  The goal is to help him stand, walk, and talk with the ultimate goal of helping him to have the best shot at life and fulfill his purpose as a child of God to be a blessing to many!

Here is what we currently need funds for:

*3 mattresses: $600 (This is an urgent need as they currently only have blankets on the hard floor to sleep on.)

*Small cooking stove & kitchen supplies: $100 (This is also an urgent need for food prep.)

*Food & formula for Isidor: $250/month

*Extra funds for hospital trips (now $25/trip), medicine not provided by the hospital & unexpected needs.  This will vary depending on frequency of trips and medicine prescribed. Having a reserve of funds from which to draw from will be helpful.

JP has been a great caretaker in all of this.  Of course, he is my liaison with the family, arranges everything, and makes all the purchases.  He has been very responsible in reporting everything to me.  He sends me photos of all the documents, receipts, and items he purchases.  JP makes regular reports on what the medical team says and on Isidor's condition.  He will re-establish his phone-charging business that we previously helped him with.  Please pray this generates sufficient income for him.

In addition, I am trying to locate a quality mission group or organization with a food and nutrition program that serves this region to provide sustainable help for Isidor and Grandma.  Please be praying for this as well.

To become a donor to Team Isidor: you can give online at larochemissions.com  or send a check payable to LaRoche & Co Missions 2308 Hanna Street New Castle PA 16102. Memo: Team Isidor.

Please be in prayer for his health & future, for Grandma, JP & his business, and a local mission to partner with us in providing food and nutrition and other services for Isidor.

Thank you in advance for your prayerful consideration of this request.

Pastor Russ Van Nest
Missions Coordinator/CEO

 

 

Four years after his last trip with a Mission Team from Illinois, Russ has the opportunity to return to Haiti with his friend and mission partner with Real Love Ministries International, Jonathan Reece.  The trip will be for a few days this May.  The purpose of the trip is to get acquainted with our new location in Northern Haiti.  RLMI has been there for a year now and we believe its time to sink our roots and begin to grow once again. 

Russ and Jonathan, along with another Pastor from a supporting church, will spend time meeting with Michael Sineus, Founder/Haiti Director, the Haiti Board, and staff to seek God's direction for the next steps forward in our Kingdom Work in North Haiti. Time will also be spent with the kids and young adults from our Children's Home and Transition House, visiting some of the members of the Widows Mite Ministry and exploring the area we serve.

To make this trip possible, Russ needs to raise $1800 to cover airfare and other travel expenses  Any extra funds will be used for our Haiti Missions Ministry. 

To support this opportunity for ministry advancement in Haiti, please click the Button below, choose "Haiti Missions" and put "Trip" in the memo.  You can also mail a check payable to LaRoche & Co Missions 2308 Hanna Street New Castle PA 16102. Again, memo "Trip" on the check.  Funds are needed by April 30.

The LaRoche & Co store has been open online for a few months now selling some of the best coffee the Caribbean has to offer. We have partnered with Singing Rooster, a non-profit social enterprise that works directly with the farmers in Haiti to grow a delicious arabica coffee bean.  60% of Singing Rooster's portion goes directly to the farmers.  The rest supports their social enterprise work.  Our "profit" supports the ongoing Kingdom Work of LaRoche & Co Missions in the Haiti and the United States.  So every cent spent has value added to it along with the flavor bursting in every sip!

That's why we like to say there's Mission In Every Cup!

We offer delicious Haitian Coffee NOW in 5 distinct varieties all of which are available in Ground and Whole Bean.  Shop the store to "Sip The Extraordinary". Discover unique flavors that awaken your senses including:

• Haitian Honey (Light)
• CuckooRoo (Medium)
• French Dark Roast
• Decaf
• AND OUR NEWEST, Tete Source

Check back to see additional product lines to be added. In fact, VERY SOON we will be adding gift lines for Mother's Day, Father's Day, and Graduation Season.

So help us Mobilize Missions Thru Relationships by visiting larochemissions.com and click on over to the store or use the Button below.