On Dec 1, 2013 I was privildged to be part of the dedication and inaguration of the new church campus in Rigaud, Haiti. It was a joyful time, celebrating how God heard His people's cry and saw their distress. He provided a new place to gather following the loss caused by the 2010 earthquake. It was a joyous time and you can see pictures and read about it by clicking here.

Returning to Tony and Myrtha's home just after dark, we were talking about the events taking place and how excited we were to see how God had provided. Getting close to our destination, bouncing down the rough road, our headlights illuminated a young boy, maybe 7 years old on the side of the road. We were busy with our own conversation and didn't pay much heed to him.

As we passed by we glanced at him and noticed his head was down and his eyes were darting to and fro over the rough dirt road. As we passed our impression was that he was crying. As we rounded the next corner, Tony and I both commented that he probably lost a coin that his mother had given him to go to the corner merchant and buy something that family needed for dinner. He will be in big trouble for losing the money when he returns home. For us it would not have been much. He might have had a 1 gourde coin (about 2 cents). Maybe he was sent to buy one bullion cube to season the evenings rice and beans. We will never know because we didn't stop.

As we sat in our airconditioned car, waiting for someone to open the gate into Tony's home, we looked at each other and both said almost in unison, we should have stopped. We should have stopped to lend a light for that boys search. We should have stopped to meet his need. We easily could have given him a few gourdes to replace his loss. But we didn't because we were too busy.

That feeling of regret is as strong as the joy of the celebration we had with the 500 people who came to dedicate the new church building.

I have committed to be more aware of people. Don't let regret live alongside the celebration of Christ's birth. See the needs, hear the cries and take steps to help. I can always do something.

I pray that you will have a blessed Christmas, celebrating the birth of Jesus Christ. I encourage you to be aware of people around you. You may be the blessing that someone needs.

Star of Hope Haiti has started the 4th year of the Sewing class in Marigot in which program 36 participants are taking part of; 29 women and 7 men.  We will be together for 36 weeks learning from the simple stitches, the patterns, setting and cut out on fabrics of all lessons from the skirts, blouses, dresses, sleeves and collars.

I invite you all to follow us every week in Marigot until our graduation that is schedule on July 13, 2014.

Once again, Star of Hope Haiti is thanking everyone who had contributed through their donation and prayer to make it possible for this group of 36 participants to become seamstresses to help their community and families.

Myrtha Dor, Director, Star of Hope, Haiti

BE A SPONSOR

As you consider the charitable gifts you will make to close out the year, I ask you to please remember Star of Hope and our work on behalf of children across the world.

Now 2021 is quickly coming to an end, and 2022 will be here before we know it. We get caught up in the "end of year" activities and we forget about making year-end gifts.
These gifts, large or small, are important to us as it allows our work to blossom and the return on investment is seen in the children's eyes.
Looking over your charitable giving plans between now and Dec. 31 can help assure maximum benefits for you and your family as well as Star of Hope. Giving sometimes helps you meet personal goals as well spiritual goals.

There are many ways you can make a gift before the end of the year that will provide you with valuable benefits and help further the work.
These benefits include tax savings on this year's return and bypass of capital gains tax on the sale of your property.
Here are three options for year-end giving:

A. Make a deductible gift of cash

While all gifts mailed or hand-delivered by Dec. 31 qualify for the charitable deduction, gifts of cash are the most common and the easiest way to give. If you itemize your tax deductions, gifts of cash are deductible up to 50 percent of your adjusted gross income (AGI).

B. Make a deductible gift of securities
Making gifts of stocks, bonds, and/or mutual funds directly to Star of Hope can bring extra tax savings. If you have held such assets for longer than one year, the gift can be deducted at full fair market value, not just the original cost. Giving this way enables you to bypass capital gains tax. Gifts of securities are deductible up to 30 percent of AGI. Please ask your expert too.

C. Make a deductible gift of real estate and avoid taxes
If you own appreciated real estate that you no longer need, consider gifting this property to Star of Hope for the benefit of your personal cause whether it be; education, health, spiritual leadership, or other. Star of Hope will sell your property tax-free, and you will receive a charitable tax deduction for the fair market value of the property and avoid paying capital gains tax.

Now is also a good time to review your estate plan as well, will you leave a legacy?
Many want to make an impact on the world, to leave it in a better state after we are gone. A bequest is one of the easiest ways to have a lasting impact on the people and organizations that mean the most to you. You can create a bequest of any dollar amount, gift specific property, or designate a percentage of your estate in your will or trust.
Ten percent can make a big impact. Your generosity will make a difference for years to come.

These are but a few examples of what we plan for the New Year;

• Get more youth bibles in children's hands

• Water wells in Haiti and Argentina

• New building in Argentina

• Enhanced nutrition for our kids

• Training and services to families caring for children with disabilities - Romania

• Teacher training

• Economic opportunities for people in Haiti and Argentina

• Alpha classes all over the world

• Lunch program needs a refill

Contact Mark Presson on 620 204 1865 or 1 866 653 0321 for more information on year-end gifts.

God Bless you and Happy New Year

Star of Hope

 Donate and give a year-end gift here

Checks to Star of Hope

PO Box 427 

Ellinwood KS 67526 (postmarked before the new year!

Speak to the CEO Mark Presson - call 866 653 0321 and leave a voice note

Scott Tillotson, August 22, 2013.  Chase, Debbie and I have completed our formal sharing about Chase's disease, our experience as a family, physical therapy and nutrition.

We have been experiencing the mountains with other parents and children at the conference.

I'm not sure how popular the fist bump was in Romania, but Chase has been winning people over. Many of the children (and adults) have switched from a handshakes to fist bumps.

Several families have asked to have pictures taken with us. I have mixed feelings about that. We aren't rock stars yet I'm pleased that what we've been able to communicate, has been well enough received, to merit the honor of being photographed with these wonderful families. The smiles of their children make the sun seem to shine a little brighter.

Even though communication is often difficult, the other parents and children have reached out to us wanting us to know their thoughts and to learn of ours. We have been blessed and God is using our communication in spite of our poor to nonexistent Romanian.
Today we were in the Carpathian Mountains near Bran Castle with Switzerland like scenery.

Scott T

SPONSOR THE WORK IN ROMANIA

SPONSOR A CHILD

A young 84 year old, Bessie Dewerff and Star of Hope's CEO Barry Borror report on a trip that is long overdue here is a compilation of tweets and texts and photos from the duo.

Nov 30 We have arrived in Haiti. Bessie with Tony and Myrtha at their home.
We had a wonderful flight into Haiti. All the suitcases are here. Tony and Myrtha are doing a brunch and then we will go to Jeanton to see the preschool building.

Tony, Bessie and Barry visited Jeanton School. It was Saturday afternoon and very hot. But more than 100 preschool age children came to show off their classrooms to us! Here are the preschool children singing to Bessie. They came to the school on Saturday afternoon to show off their school classrooms. Thanks to the donor who provided the preschool classrooms in Jeanton! http://youtu.be/gxYy9koJOnU

Rigaud, Haiti a Church dedication. Bessie was the honored visitor. It was a true celebration and time of prayer for the donor who made it possible. More will follow later. — with Bessie Dewerff.

Bessie Dewerff had the joyous honor of cutting the ribbon to open the church. This was the first Sunday that services were held in the new building. An estimated 500 people joined the celebration and dedication. — with Bessie Dewerff and Antonio Boursiquot in purple, Star of Hope's project manager in Haiti and for this project as well.

The people of Rigaud honored Bessie Dewerff with a plaque and flowers. — with Bessie Dewerff.

After driving from Iasi for over 3 hours we arrived to the Star of Hope center in Dorohoi. We were meet by children with disabilities and their parents. The love and hospitality they show us is so touching.

I have received so many hugs and kisses, the children and their parents are so loving and sweet and happy to meet us. One of the most special things I will take with me home is the concern and love they all show us. We have been blessed and prayed for and I have learned so many new things. It is easy to come to another country and think we have a lot of answer’s and solutions and then find out I´m the one getting answer’s and solutions while being totally surrounded by love.

In Dorohoi there are 25 children at the center and 44 parents are involved in the parent association. Some of the children have been there for 10 years, today they are too old to attend but there is no were for them to go so one day a week they are still able to come to the center. Marius who is the president of the parent association said this is one of their biggest concerns, what will happen with their children after they turn 18?  

This is a project were the integration with children with and without disability is working. 2 of the rooms in the building are used for our children with a disability; the rest of the building is for children attending kindergarten.  

It has been a blessing for Star of Hope having the Tillotsons here. It is a first time a child with a disability has come with his family from another country to share their life, both joy and difficulties. It has been hard when it comes to the practical things like stairs and the size of doors etc. Romania is not handicapped accessible for someone needing a wheelchair to get around. But everyone has been so helpful. Hearing parents say after they listened to Debbie and Scott “We have no reason to complain after meeting you, you are so strong and patient. Thank you for bringing us hope and to teach us to be more patient” feels great.  When Debbie shared “God makes people different, we are all God’s creation. God does not make mistake” many of the parents had tears in their eyes. Hearing their child is perfect in Gods eyes was an eye opener and you could feel the relief they felt.

We also went to Botosani were I meet Ioana what a delightful and joyful girl. She wanted me to carry her around while she was kissing and hugging me. I have to say I must have the best job in the world.

One boy I meet in Botosani was Andi. He lived with his single father; his mother left both of them and moved to Italy when he was a baby. Cretu his father was amazing the way he beamed with pride when he talked about Andi. Andi had so many medals from “Special Olympics” and awards for dancing Romanian folkdances. Andi have been selected to go to Bucharest, the capital of Romania to preform and be in a national competition.

When you meet fathers like Cretu you know there is hope for Romania. With Scotts testimony and fathers like Cretu  I´m convinced there will be change among fathers.

I’m so lucky to be able to visit and see all these children and their parents. They are like us we all share the love of our children and they also want what is best for their children.