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WHAT ABOUT HAITI? This is a question many are asking; ” Are we sending PETs to Haiti?’ Not Yet! It is fortunate that there are many faithful, experienced distribution partners related to Haiti. Each wants to make sure that PETs can get to those in need. Our daily news lets us know that the infrastructure for efficient and helpful donations is just not in place; additionally it is said that one hospital was doing 100 amputations per day! SO THE NEED IS GREAT! As soon as we can, we will set the wheels in motion to give this GIFT of Mobility to those in Haiti.
HONDURAS was one of the very first countries we sent a PET to in 2001! In this newsletter we will share some stories of those who now have a new lease on life because of receiving a PET. From the beginning we partnered with those who had experience in Honduras and knew the needs of those in the rural areas. Some of the partners, in addition to those mentioned in other articles, were Dr. Stephen Foster, Helping Hands with Dr. Tony Haywood, and PET Kansas.
Mr. Rodolfo Bonilla was 54 years old when he received his PET.
This gift was given through Pro-Papa Mission. Living in El Progreso, he works each day in front of the supermarket taking care of bicycles and packages while people shop. He also sells shopping bags. Rudolfo fell off a tractor at the age of 19. It cut off both legs. Rudolfo asked that his “thanks a million” be sent to you who have given him this gift.
The desire for mobility can be seen in the multiple ways individuals find to propel themselves! The Gift of a PET is truly a Gift of Hope for a more productive future. 
For Your Info
From 2001 through 2009
3,913 PETs from Florida have been distributed.
Distribution of PETs in Honduras
What a Celebration
2001-2010
Mercy Ships – Honduras was an initial PET distribution partner.
While 748 PETs have been sent to Honduras to be distributed by many partners, only 700 were distributed because of the shipwreck which lost 48! These Gifts of a PET affect not just the individual who receives one, but the family and the entire community. Those with a PET can now go to school, start a business, go to church and attend community meetings independently.
Alicia Yessenia was 18 months old and just learning to walk when she contracted polio and she has not been able to walk since. She crawled for short distances with wooden blocks but couldn’t go to school because it was too far. Dr. Paul Ugarte of The Washington Overseas Mission found her and gave her a PET. He reports “It is hard to put into words how excited she was to receive this chair. Her whole body was shaking and she began crying…’this PET is going to change my life. I can get around without someone having to carry me.’”
Letter from Arms of Mercy, Honduras (Our first shipment in 2010!)
Dear friends,
Just a quick update from our world in Honduras… Today is a different day in San Pedro Sula; normally it’s hot and sweaty, but today it’s chilly at 66° and rainy. Much of Honduras is preparing to celebrate Christmas with their families.Everything is back to normal after the recent election. Porfirio Lobo Sosa was democratically elected, and is perceived by many to be a strong and stable leader. The Arms of Mercy has been busy building a network to reach more of the thousands in Honduras who desperately need mobility. We have begun working with Samaritan’s Purse, Teleton, Red Cross, Jungle Hospital Honduras, and others. The greatest challenge we face is increasing distribution of P.E.T.s from hundreds to thousands; we are praying for more help and funding to make this possible.
During 2009 we faced many challenges, we saw many institutions in the economic realm, once believed to be secure, fall apart and cause a near economic depression, we saw Honduras kick out its President and elect a new one, etc. In these troubled times may your hearts be full of peace and joy because He came for us… “And she shall bring forth a son, and thou shalt call his name JESUS: for He shall save his people from their sins.”
Merry Christmas from all of us at the Arms of Mercy!
Message from Dr. Martin Williams (Arms of Mercy)
I just wanted to send this email to let you know how much we appreciate you allowing us be a part of your ministry. We have had the great pleasure of seeing the look in the face of the recipients that are receiving these mobile chairs. What a great idea to help those who can still get around using their arms. All of the men and women, who have received the mobile chairs so far, have expressed extreme gratitude. When we follow up on them we find that they are jactive and enjoy their new sense of freedom. Being able to provide these chairs to disabled people has expanded our jspectrum of service to our patients. As you know we are a rural medical missions outfit, where a significant number of jpeople are disabled (or unable to walk), but still have the use of their arms. In our jungle setting, these people have jbeen given a new freedom of movement and the capacity to contribute to their family’s livelihood. Also it is an incredible jphysical therapy instrument and morale booster, especially for the male figure in the family unit. Thanks again for [allowing us be a part of your network and we’ll keep a watchful eye for more people who could benefit from such a wonderful instrument.
ln His Love & Grace, Martin G. Williams, MD Jungle Hospital, Honduras
One who received a PET was Jeffrey, age 8, who lives in San Pedro Sula. He was born with a tumor on his hip causing his legs to be deformed. In spite of his condition, Jeffrey goes to school and is eager to develop as a normal child. He used a skateboard to move about pushing himself with his hands. Now he has received a P.E.T. and is happy to peddle around his neighborhood, school, and places where his skateboard is not able to take him. Jeffrey’s family is poor and for this Christmas they have no presents under their tree. But thanks to you, now Jeffrey’s Christmas and future is brighter.
The Director’s Jottings – Larry Hills
Mel West, director of PET Missouri, Columbia, recently wrote the following in his “Update”, a weekly newsletter that he shares with all affiliates telling of some of his thoughts and recent happenings at his site. I will share some of my own thoughts and experiences in italics in places as well.
“Dead Aid” by Dambisa Moya, 2009, is a must read a book for those serious about helping our brothers and sisters in the developing world. Moya points out what many of us who have been working in development (Christian rural development was Laura and my thrust during our 33 years in Africa), have observed, (including ourselves), through the years, that more than $1 trillion has been transferred from rich countries to Africa, and the Africans are no better off but worse off. I, (Mel) have observed the same thing in Haiti and some in Central America, (as have we in several African countries where we have worked or traveled.) The problem is that a major amount of the “aid” goes into the pockets of the unscrupulous and little ever gets to the real needs of the poor, (our observation has been that most “aid” is allocated at the top of a countries government, to be handed down to the poor in programs to benefit the poor but it gets lost along the way. Secondly, most “aid” organizations go to a country as experts with “the answers” and never ask the questions so what they do winds up as a mismatch that doesn’t work after they leave.) In Uganda, for example, during the 1990′s only 20 cents of each U.S.A. dollar given for education eyef fSalJhed the targeted local elementary schools. What is needed are programs that enhance the ability of poverty stricken individuals to be productive where they are, providing food and other products for local markets and export. Heifer International and Habitat International have known for years that giving the poor the equity of a few farm animals or a house is a solid step upward for them and that women should be a prime target for this kind of aid. Give a poor family the loan of a cow or other animal which they pay back or money to build a house which they pay back, and they move slowly up in living standards. Milliard Fuller said “the poor need partners, not patrons.” (As we look back over our efforts in projects in Africa to empower the poor to help themselves, we see over and over again that it truly works. We see this in the establishment of a Christian agricultural college to train farmers, walking them through getting a start-up bank loan and a piece of land to farm. We see them prosper, settling poor oxen farmers on abandoned colonial farm land, training ag extension officers to continue to help them after we leave, seeing thriving communities form, providing small loans to fishermen by a local committee of their neighbors to obtain better boats and motors and nets and seeing 100% repayment and vastly improved living standards, etc. and now the PET Project!) We (Mel) provide them with the simple GIFT OF MOBILITY AND HOPE and they use that to improve their lives and that of their families. They pay back by becoming productive citizens in their communities.” (Those are the stories that the previous pages of this newsletter expound upon.)
