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Yearning for a Normal Smile
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Nandy Santilus was born into this world in February 2005, a
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In search of help
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healthy baby, beautiful in the eyes of God. However, a severe cleft lip marred her outward appearance and concerned her parents. They wondered how she would be accepted with a lifelong mark that couldn't be ignored. In the developed world these clefts are repaired within months of birth. In Haiti, nine long years passed as Nandy's parents looked for a place she could undergo this transformative operation. As Nandy grew, the gap in her lip continued to widen and her adult tooth became the ever-present reminder of her deformity.
Finding Help In the spring of 2014 the Santilus family found Hospital Lumiere, a place where medical care and Christian compassion are connected thanks to a collaboration between Haitian and American practitioners. Arrangements were made and a U.S. surgical team arrived in Haiti to repair Nandy's lip, and to treat others that suffer from deformity, cancer and accident. In order to establish a sustainable effort, American and Haitian surgeons worked together to learn from each other and to further develop Haitian skill sets.  | |
Working together to close the gap
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Nandy was nervous, but brave, as the team prepared her for
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A beautiful smile
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surgery to close the gap that had labeled her since childhood. Thanks be to God that it was a successful surgery and Nandy
can now smile with confidence!
With your prayers and continued support, and with our Savior's blessing we will continue to close the gap in medical care in this impoverished nation. Hospital Lumiere has made great strides and is becoming known once again throughout Haiti as a progressive place of advanced care with a commitment to sharing God's Word.
Suffer the little children to come unto me, and forbid them not: for of such is the kingdom of God. Mark 10:14 |
 New Director of Operations: Plattners called to serve
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Bro. Kurt & Sis. Joan Plattner of the Goodfield Apostolic Christian congregation, have been appointed to serve at Hospital Lumiere. Kurt will serve as Director of Operations at the hospital. Kurt is an accountant with numerous years of experience helping to run a manufacturing business in central Illinois. He desires to take his knowledge and experience to Haiti and use it for the benefit of Hospital Lumiere.
The Plattners have completed the Apostolic Christian World Relief and Mission Committee missionary pre-placement process, and have approval from the Church. As they prepare for their new role in Haiti, they will receive cross-cultural preparation, family training, individual counseling and a missionary orientation. In addition, a home church support structure will be established in Goodfield.
The Plattners have 4 children, Reggie (13), Toby (11), Hadley (9), and Brenna (6). They plan to move to Haiti late in 2014 and will spend their first three months in Les Cayes doing language and culture training. They then will reside on the campus of Hospital Lumiere.
Responding to God's Call Over the past several months, the Plattners have felt God gently leading them towards this work in Haiti. They spent a week at Hospital Lumiere in February to better understand the work that is being accomplished and to get a feel for the hospital campus. They rest in the assurance that God has called them to "get out of thy country, and from thy kindred, and come into the land which I shall shew thee" (Acts 7:3). As the Plattners move forward in the sending process, they wish to "walk by faith and not by sight." (2 Cor. 5:7) The Plattners are thankful for the opportunity.
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Items Needed for Benefit Auction
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The 2014 benefit auction for Hospital Lumiere is scheduled for Friday November 14 at Five Points in Washington, IL. Although November may seem like a long ways off, we must begin collecting auction items now in order to have a successful event.
Would you please consider donating an item or service (dinner, vacation package, toys, tools, gift certificate, games, electronics, food item) for auction? The auction provides a significant portion of Hospital Lumiere's annual revenue.
If you have items to donate or would like to help with the auction, please contact:
Rich Bertschi (309) 467-2351
hospitallumiere@acwr.org Or visit the auction webpage. Now the end of the commandment is charity out of a pure heart, and of a good conscience, and of faith unfeigned.
1 Tim 1:5 |
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Other Ways to Support Financially
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In addition to funds raised at our benefit auction, Hospital  Lumiere depends on the generous financial contribution of brothers and sisters from across the land. If you feel moved to make a cash donation, there are three ways to do that:
1. Through your local WR representative
2. Send your donation to the address below. Checks should be made out to: AC World Relief - Hospital Lumiere
AC World Relief
Hospital Lumiere Project
16448 S US Hwy 231 Remington, IN 47977
3. Donate Online with a secure credit card donation
Specify: Haiti - Hospital Lumiere |
