Dear Friends and Family,
I can't believe how fast this year has gone. It's hard to believe that in 2001 Phileena and I have visited Thailand, Singapore, India, Nepal, Cambodia, Kenya, South Africa, Guinea, Ivory Coast, Sierra Leone, Romania, Peru, and will be on our way back to India in less than 2 weeks. With so much going on and with time seemingly getting away from us as fast as it does, I'm thankful for the WMF bi-annual board of directors meetings.
We just finished the fall 2001 meetings and with nearly 50 board members, staff members, friends, and family in Wilmore for the event we're excited for the new things the Lord will have for us in 2002.
At each of our board meetings Phileena and I (along with the rest of the WMF staff community) are required to give an account of the previous 6 months work we are involved in. As the Executive Director of WMF my board report usually details much of the travel, speaking, and writing I'm involved in. Often my board report shares potential proposals for new WMF fields of service, potential new WMF staff that we would like to bring into the community, and new ways of trying to blend spirituality with ministry as we seek to express the values of WMF in all that we do. Then there is always the need for me to report on some of the pastoral responsibilities that I carry as director and how I feel I am adequately (or mostly inadequately) carrying those out. Finally there are always countless administrative details that go into keeping the organization of WMF moving that the board finds particularly interesting and so I give a report of those items and what we as an administrative support staff based in the USA are doing to keep those things in order.
That is in a nutshell much of what I'm required to do as the Director of the mission and I couldn't do it without Phileena at my side, serving with me, and leading me much of the time.
Phileena is also required to give a report as she serves WMF as the Director of Child Advocacy (one of 3 Associate Director/Vice-President positions). Phileena's job entails helping WMF grow into a larger and more loving commitment to at-risk children. Her voice for the voiceless children is a crucial element in the makeup of the WMF community and the conviction and passion she brings into her responsibilities is an inspiration to us all.
At this past board meeting we all found her most recent board report to be extremely well done and helpful. I have asked her if I could share it with you and so you should find it enclosed with this letter. This report is but a simple and inadequate reflection of the beauty in Phileena's heart and the love she has for the children of the world. As you read it please allow it to compel you to further embrace the heart of Christ and enter into the love He has for the world.
As always, both Phileena and I are thankful for your love, support, and prayers. We couldn't do any of this without you.
May God bless you as you continue to seek Him with obedient hearts.
Take it slow, keep it simple, and bless God.
Peace,
Chris Heuertz
Annual Report on Child Care/Development Programs, November 3, 2001
Submitted October 11, 2001
Phileena Heuertz, Director of Child Advocacy
Dear Word Made Flesh Board of Directors,
It seems the months go by faster every year! Much has happened in the last year. Since my last report, Chris and I were able to visit the staff and street children in Lima, Peru in December. We visited the children's homes in India in February after about 1 1/2 years. We journeyed to East, South, and West Africa in July for a productive assessment of ministry opportunities in Sudan, South Africa, and Sierra Leone. Most recently we visited Romania after nearly 2 years.
As I have surveyed these areas of ministry for the children, I am challenged anew to be a voice for them. Please allow me to share with you some of the ways WMF is at work among children in crises around the world, as well as some heart-rending facts that communicate the scope of need.
Peru (December 17-27)
WMF is actively involved in ministry among the street children of Lima. Now that WMF is registered in Peru, our field staff is working diligently to get a drop-in center started. In Lima, there is not a known drop-in center model of ministry for the children. A drop-in center will provide a much-needed stable and secure environment in which the children and staff can come together.
Street Children
With an increase of WMF field staff, many more children's lives are being touched with the love of Christ. The death of Ruso (the former street kid who was a victim of AIDS) seemed to affect several children in a redemptive way- in spite of their grief- stirring self-reflection and motivation for getting off the streets. I'm continually inspired by the impact our field staff is having in Lima. The Lord is moving on the streets of Lima and in the lives of the street children.
” There are an estimated 300,000 street children in Lima. WMF works with approximately 200.
India (February 6- March 4)
WMF has two children's homes in Madras: Mahizhchi Illam (Home of Happiness) and Samanthana Illam (Home of Peace). Mahizhchi Illam's predominant focus is AIDS orphans and HIV+ children, as well as abandoned babies. Samanthana Illam's focus is mentally and physically challenged children.
Children's Homes
The boys and girls in Madras are growing up so fast. The children of Mahizhchi Illam are studying well and speaking English, which will give them advantages and opportunities for their future they most likely would have never known. They are coming to know the Lord Jesus and some of them are already making commitments to full-time ministry, even though they are still in elementary school! Patrick and Victoria continue to take in more children, daily laying down their life for each one of them.
Rev. and Mrs. Dhanasingh have been caring for Samanthana Illam for several months now. They joined WMF-Madras after spending years as missionaries in North India with Friend's Missionary Prayer Band. We met the Dhanasingh's for the first time in February. They are a delightful couple who desire to live their life in service to the Lord.
Number of children currently being cared for in the homes in Madras 54 (SI-13, MI-41)
Number of children taken in over the years 63
Number of children who are orphans/social orphans 46
AIDS affected (one or both parents are HIV+) 22
Number of children who are HIV+ 7
Number of children who tested negative after a positive test 5
Number of children who have passed away 8
” The most rapid and well-documented spread of HIV has occurred in Bombay and the State of Tamil Nadu. (cmmg.biosci.wayne.edu/asgh/hivindia.html)
” Nearly one percent (or 4 million persons) of the adult population is estimated to be infected with HIV. (World Bank)
” India is second only to South Africa in number of HIV cases in a single country. (World Bank)
” By the end of 1997, UNAIDS estimated that approximately 48,000 children in India under age 15 were living with HIV/AIDS and 120,000 children had lost both parents to AIDS. (World Bank)
Child Prostitutes
Joshua Tucker has expressed the desire to rescue child prostitutes in Calcutta. He's already saving money to help toward this end. We are encouraging him in this area and helping him research the elements of getting involved in this type of ministry. Josh's vision and passion for the Lord Jesus and the children is an inspiration.
” Prostitution is the single largest industry in India, with an annual turnover of Rs 3.7 billion.
” It is estimated that 30% of all prostitutes in India are children (270,000- 400,00 children below age 14)
.
” Some areas in West Bengal are known to be recruiting grounds for child prostitution. (Copyright © 1998 Indian Express Newspapers (Bombay) Ltd.)
” It is estimated that there are 200,000 street children in Calcutta. All of these children are at risk for being smuggled into the flesh trade. (www.edithwilkins.com/calcutta.html)
Sudan (July 13-24)
The crisis in Sudan demands immediate response. In war-torn lands, the children suffer the most. Reports from Sudan of famine, crippling poverty, child slavery, child soldiers, displaced children and street children compel us to get involved. I long for WMF to be able to aid these vulnerable ones, but because of the complexities and politics of war, we've learned that much more ground-work will need to be done before we can start sending people into the Sudan.
South Africa (July 24-27)
In Johannesburg we find the greatest disparity in the world. Here, too, we find street children and AIDS orphans. The pandemic of AIDS in South Africa, the consequences of apartheid, and the disparity that keeps the poor in bondage demands a compassionate and life-giving response from the Church. We look forward to an opportunity to send WMF missionaries to this city to not only bring hope and light to the hurting children, but also to be a strong prophetic voice to the local church.
Street kids
” There are approximately 9,000 street kids in South Africa, of which the vast majority are black
” There are virtually no white street children in South Africa.
” Street kids gender breakdown: 81% male 19% female
” 10,000 white children are supported in state-registered and subsidized children's homes, but there are no state-administered children's homes for black children.
” The 12 existing private homes accommodate just under 1,000 black children.
” If the white community produces 10,000 children in need of care, the statistical projection is that there are at least 50,000 black youths in need of care. Many believe that this projection is unrealistically low. (http://www.boys-brigade.org.uk/natact/streetws.htm)
AIDS Issues
” South Africa has the largest number of people living with HIV/AIDS in the world.
” There are approximately 4.2 million (19.94% of population) men and women (15-49) infected with HIV in South Africa (http://www.avert.org/aafrica.htm)
” By 2010, about one in three children in Namibia, Swaziland, Zimbabwe and South Africa will have lost a parent, most of them to AIDS. (Associated Press Durban South Africa, July 13, 2001)
” 95% of all AIDS orphans are in Sub-Saharan Africa
Sierra Leone (August 1-10)
Our journey to Sierra Leone will forever be carved in my being. Never in my life have I witnessed such multitudes of broken children…I had the privilege of sharing with about 150 ex-child combatants and that moment of intimate fellowship has changed my life. As we visited children in various refugee camps, their material, emotional, and physical and psychological needs overwhelmed us. You can imagine the complexities of the needs of children who witnessed mothers killed, fathers tortured, sisters raped and brothers dragged off to battle. Some of these children themselves (an estimated 5,000) are ex-soldiers. They've grown up in a world of immorality and brutality of every kind.
Never in my life have I walked on such fertile soil in the spirit. The harvest has never been more ripe. The children are dying for the hope and healing of Christ.
I've never been more compelled to “recruit” people for this area of children's ministry that will take shape as the Spirit leads the individuals. The good thing about “recruiting” for Sierra Leone is that God has gone before us. He's calling individuals and confirming His call on their lives in our heart. We're now preparing a team of individuals whom we're hoping to get to Freetown within the next year. Please pray with us. We can't get people there soon enough.
The Children
” Displaced children 1,800,000
” Abducted children 15,000 (9,000 are girls)
” Child soldiers 5,000
” Street children in Freetown 3,000
Romania (September 10-19)
It was really good to be brought up to speed with all the changes and developments here in ministry among the street children. The drop-in-center is under construction and is coming along nicely thanks to Dennis Mills. Once the construction is finished, WMF-Romania will be able to reach more children. A few of the kids have been helping out with the renovations. Working side by side with the staff gives them a great sense of ownership for the center. It was really a delight to see them working so hard on their drop-in center. It also brought me great joy to see the younger children return from school to a safe place (the center). They would run in and greet the staff telling them all about their day. Most, if not all, of these children likely don't have attentive caregivers who can be present to them. Many of these children live in very abusive and neglectful homes.
Street Children
” There are approximately 10,000 street children in Romania. (McLean's, 8 Nov 93)
AIDS Issues
While there are no accurate statistics available, an estimated 8,000 children are believed to be infected with HIV in Romania. International health officials estimate the country to have the highest rate of juvenile AIDS in Europe. Policies instituted by Nicolae Ceausescu, the leader of Romania in the 1980s, are partly to blame for the spread of HIV in the country; in an effort to increase Romania's population, Ceausescu banned contraception, social workers, and HIV screening. Dr. Oana Ghenu, co-director of Nobody's Children, a non-profit group that helps HIV-infected and abandoned children in the country, adds that the problem could get worse because 85 percent of the estimated 5,000 street children in Romania are sexually active. (CDC National Center for HIV, STD and TB Prevention Prevention News Update: December 7, 1998 General Media)
USA
The first Saturday in June is the International Day of Prayer for Children at Risk as set in motion by Viva Network (a word-wide children's ministry networking organization). Viva provides materials to aid churches and other groups for a focused day of prayer for the children. This year, I gave the material to our church, GCF, and their children's ministry director, with the help of the church children, presented the needs of the world's children to our church and the congregation took time to pray. It was a moving time. As I'm able, I would like to get such materials into the hands of other churches, in an effort to get more of the Church involved in the needs of children around the world.
In September, I spoke to a youth group at Indianapolis Christian Fellowship. Public speaking is not an area I'm comfortable with, but one that challenges me. It was a growing experience and I trust the group's lives were touched and challenged to draw nearer to the Father's heart for children in crisis around the world.
In February of 2002, Chris and I will visit Tara and Bill Haley and their church in D.C. While we are in the city, we're planning to meet with the staff of the International Justice Mission. I'm looking forward to this meeting since we have been in contact with them concerning the abuses of street children in Lima, and may partner with them in the future for the children in Lima and around the world.
This concludes my lengthy report. Thank you for your support. May the Lord bless you for your sacrifices and commitment to Word Made Flesh. Your encouragement and wise counsel are invaluable. I appreciate you all so much.
Respectfully submitted,
Phileena Heuertz
Director of Child Advocacy